An extraordinary treasure to comic art collectors, Swan’s eye-filling cover art for Action Comics #309 is believed to be the only surviving original art from the issue DC Comics tried to recall in the week following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Coincidentally, the issue’s storyline – which included all of the members of the “Superman family” – focused on The Man of Steel’s friendship with President Kennedy, disguised as Clark Kent.

“While there was nothing at all disrespectful about the comic book’s portrayal of JFK as Clark Kent, a comic book is still entertainment, and its release might have seemed inappropriate at a time when America was grieving over the death of its president,” said Hake’s General Manager Alex Winter. “Although DC Comics did its best to recall the issue, the distribution process was already too far along for it to be stopped. As a result, Action Comics 309, and the cover art we sold, will always have a connection to history.”

In claiming top-lot honors, the Swan cover art became the second-highest-priced item ever sold by Hake’s. On September 27, 2007, the Pennsylvania-based firm auctioned a pair of rare, giant display dolls of Walt Disney’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse for $151,534.35.

The auction also contained rare 1920s-’30s Disney toys from the collection of the late children’s book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak.

Online: www.hakes.com

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