Captain America's debut comic book, 1941's Captain America Comics #1, sold for over $3 million at Heritage Auctions, making it one of the most expensive comic book auction purchases of all time.
On April 7, a near-mint copy of Captain America Comics #1 sold for $3,120,000. Bidding for the comic initially began at $1.8 million. The price immediately jumped to $2.2 million before climbing its way into the $3 million range. According to Tony Fay Public Relations, the final $3.1 million price makes it the fourth-highest amount ever paid for a comic book at an auction. "Every time I looked up during the comic art portion of the session, a new record was falling, and with the comic books, that trend continued," Heritage Auctions vice president Barry Sandoval said. "We knew this was a selection of truly exceptional material, and we're thrilled bidders agreed with that."
Captain America Comics #1, which came from Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, was the first official appearance of Marvel's iconic Captain America character. The issue also introduces Bucky Barnes, who later goes on to become the Winter Soldier, and Cap's longtime nemesis, Red Skull. The $3.1 million copy of the comic comes from the San Francisco Pedigree Collection and has a 9.4 grade from the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC).
Marvel also set another auction record with Captain America at Heritage's Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction. The splash page in 1964's Tales of Suspense #59, which is Cap's first solo venture in the Silver Age, sold for $630,000, which is the highest price ever paid at auction for a Kirby original. The entire 10-page Tales of Suspense #59 story additionally sold for a combined $975,600 at the auction.
Other rare editions have also sold for high prices at the auction, which continues until April 10. The first Fantastic Four comic, 1961's Fantastic Four #1 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, went for a record-setting $1.5 million. "The Fantastic Four is the first family of Marvel Comics and these results only underscore their importance in the comic book hobby," consignment director Aaron White said. Additional expensive sales include $288,000 for the original poster art for 1981's Heavy Metal film, $246,000 for the classic cover of MAD #9 and $264,000 for Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns #3.
Bidding for Heritage Auctions' April 7-10 Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction continues here until April 10.
Source: Tony Fay Public Relations, Heritage Auctions
