Star Wars comic strip art leads galaxy of greats at Hake’s, July 26-27

One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas, and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas, and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions
One of six consecutive lots of Al Williamson (American, 1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were given to George Lucas and the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Each is absolutely fresh to the market, and each is estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions

YORK, Pa. – If modern art aficionados could be granted one wish, it might be the discovery of a major, previously unknown Picasso. While Picasso lovers may have a very long wait ahead of them, those who revel in the uniquely imaginative art and imagery of the Star Wars saga just might have their wishes granted on Tuesday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 27, when Hake’s auctions six extraordinary artworks from Star Wars’ earliest days. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

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Beatles concert poster sets new world auction record at Heritage

1966 Beatles Shea Stadium concert poster, $275,000
1966 Beatles Shea Stadium concert poster, $275,000
1966 Beatles Shea Stadium concert poster, $275,000

DALLAS – The most iconic concert poster of all time is now the most expensive concert poster of all time. On April 16, during Heritage Auctions’ latest Music Memorabilia Signature® Auction, the stunning bright-yellow slab of cardboard promoting the Beatles’ August 23, 1966, concert at New York’s Shea Stadium sold for $275,000 to set a new auction record. That shatters the previous high-water mark of $150,000 shared by both the Shea Stadium poster (set in November) and another advertising Hank Williams’ two concerts scheduled for New Year’s Day 1953 at the Canton Memorial Auditorium in Ohio (established last May).

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Jasper52 to auction vintage psychedelic rock posters, Nov. 14

1970 double-bill poster for The Kinks and Elton John, est. $125-$250
1970 double-bill poster for The Kinks and Elton John, est. $125-$250
1970 double-bill poster for The Kinks and Elton John, est. $125-$250

NEW YORK – On Sunday, November 14, starting at 2 pm Eastern time, Jasper52 will host a sale of Vintage Psychedelic Rock n Roll posters. The 237-lot lineup spans the 1960s to the present, and includes selections such as a 1966 Chet Helms and Wes Wilson lithograph design for a King Kong Memorial Dance; a 1967 poster published by Bill Graham touting a San Francisco appearance by the Byrds, Electric Flag, and B.B. King; a 1969 black-and-white Rolling Stones concert poster; a 1970 lithograph advertising a double bill of Elton John and the Kinks; a poster for a 1969 show at the Fillmore West with Santana as the main act; and a 1999 poster for a Counting Crows performance in San Francisco presented by Bill Graham. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Heritage sells 1953 Hank Williams poster for record-setting $150K

1953 Hank Williams concert poster that sold for $150,000 and a world record
1953 Hank Williams concert poster that sold for $150,000 and a world record

DALLAS – A five-dollar purchase 40 years ago became a world-record setter on May 1. An advertisement for the 1953 Hank Williams show that never happened sold for $150,000 at Heritage Auctions, setting a world record for the most expensive concert poster ever sold at auction. That stunning record-setter, a bright yellow slice of cardboard featuring the Hillbilly Shakespeare, was found in 1981 in a Canton, Ohio, barn and is one of only three known existing copies.

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