Rare CGC-certified Comics Are Heroes of November Heritage Sale

Several extremely rare and sought after comic books certified by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) are featured in an upcoming Comics and Comic Art Signature Sale presented by Heritage Auctions. Collectors are already enthusiastically bidding in the sale, scheduled for November 18-21, 2021.

The reign of Superman

The leading attraction in the sale is an Action Comics #1 graded CGC 6.5 Restored (lot 91032). With a cover date of June 1938, this Golden Age issue introduced Superman and Lois Lane. The famous cover art was created by Superman’s co-creator, Joe Shuster. More than two weeks before the sale, bidding had already reached $165,000.

Action Comic #1 graded CGC 6.5 Restored Click images to enlarge.

The CGC Census records 75 examples of Action Comics #1, more than 40 percent of which are in a Restored grade.

The hero Gotham needs

Another rare comic book in the sale is a Detective Comics #27 graded CGC 7.0 Restored (lot 91041). The May 1939 issue introduced Batman as well as Commissioner Jim Gordon. More than two weeks before the sale, bidding had already reached $100,000.

Detective Comics #27 graded CGC 7.0 Restored Click images to enlarge.

The CGC Census records 74 examples of Detective Comics #27, exactly half of which are in a Restored grade.

From teen to hero

Meanwhile, a coveted issue of Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 7.0 (lot 91035) is also creating excitement among collectors. Printed during the Silver Age, this comic book is the first to feature Stan Lee’s most beloved character, Spider-Man. Due to the excitement of several Spider-Man movies in recent years, the popularity of the web-slinger has skyrocketed among collectors from every generation.

Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 7.0 Click images to enlarge.

The final promise

The Heritage sale also showcases rare issues from the CGC-graded Promise Collection. This assemblage of over 5,000 comic books was amassed by a young man, who asked his brother to take care of his collection should anything happen to him while fighting overseas. To find out more about this amazing collection, click here.

The current Promise Collection offerings are led by a rare Captain America Comics #1 graded CGC 3.5 (lot 93060). This 1941 issue features the first appearances of Captain America, Bucky and the nefarious Red Skull. The iconic cover shows Captain America punching Hitler.

Captain America Comics #1 graded CGC 3.5 and pedigreed to The Promise Collection Click images to enlarge.

A Batman #1 graded CGC 2.0 and pedigreed to The Promise Collection (lot 93013) is also seeing lively bidding. One of the most desirable books from the Golden Age, this issue continues the adventures of the Dark Knight with the introduction of supervillains Joker and Catwoman.

Batman #1 graded CGC 2.0 and pedigreed to The Promise Collection Click images to enlarge.

It has been a banner year for CGC-certified comic books, with a five books individually selling for more than $1 million. An Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 9.6 realized $3.6 million at a Heritage Auctions sale in September, setting a new record for any book at auction.

Other CGC-certified rarities in the current Heritage sale include:

• an All-Star Comics #8 graded CGC 4.0 (lot 91034)
• an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 4.5 (lot 97193)
• an Amazing Spider-Man #1 graded CGC 9.2 (lot 91036)
• a Batman #37 graded CGC 9.6 and pedigreed to The Promise Collection (lot 93026)
• a Batman #49 graded CGC 9.6 and pedigreed to The Promise Collection (lot 93036)
• a Batman #62 graded CGC 9.8 and pedigreed to The Promise Collection (lot 93043)
• a Captain America Comics #37 graded CGC 9.2 and pedigreed to The Promise Collection (lot 93078)
• a Fantastic Four #6 graded CGC 9.6 Universal (lot 91045)
• a Journey Into Mystery #83 graded CGC 8.0 Universal (lot 91050)
• an X-Men #1 graded CGC 7.5 (lot 95127)

Related Links:

• Five CGC-certified Comics Have Already Topped $1 Million in 2021
• CGC Announces the 61st Pedigree Collection - "Promise"
• CGC-graded Batman #1 Sells for $2.22 Million
• Up, Up and Away! CGC-certified Action Comics #1 Sells for a Record $3.25 Million
• Shattering the Record, CGC-certified Amazing Fantasy #15 Realizes $3.6 Million!