Page 43 - Layout 1
P. 43

Captain America Shield Prop Hits $259K in Hake’s $3.3M Auction


                     hen Hake’s Auctions hit $3.3 million with their November   6.0 copy for $37,269, and the CGC 5.0 copy for $28,844. In addition
                     2-3, 2021 Auction #233, the company also bested their    to the origin and first appearance for the Fantastic Four themselves, it
            Wprevious record for a year by hitting the $10 million mark.      also includes the origin and first appearance of the Mole Man.
            The event, which saw strong performances both days, was headlined by   A CGC 7.0 copy of  Tales of Suspense #39, the origin and first
            the Captain America shield hero prop used by Chris Evans in Avengers:   appearance of Iron Man, brought $35,695, while a CGC 5.5 copy of
            Endgame, which closed at $259,539 including the buyer’s premium.   the same issue closed at $20,475. A CGC 2.0 Signature Series copy of
               The 24” in diameter, approximately 3” deep shield was constructed   Amazing Fantasy #15, the origin and first appearance of Spider-Man
            by Marvel Studios Prop Master Russell Bobbitt from high-density foam   signed by Stan Lee realized $29,854. Professor X, Cyclops, Marvel Girl,
            with a spun aluminum exterior and hand-crafted leather arm and hand   Iceman, Angel, and Beast, better known as The X-Men, first appeared
            straps on the interior. While between 30 and 40 shields were produced   in X-Men #1, as did their arch foe, Magneto. A CGC 6.5 copy sold for
            for Endgame, this example was used for close-up shots in Evans’ hand   $27,258, while the CGC 6.0 copy of that same issue went just a bit
            as it shows the most detail and its spun aluminum surface exhibits a   higher at $28,568.
            metallic sheen.                                                      A CGC 9.6 copy of the rare Tales of Terror Annual #3, with its
               “The impact of the Marvel Cinematic Universe cannot be                striking cover by Al Feldstein, realized $27,258. The 128-page
            overstated in modern pop culture, and Captain America                         issue pulls readers in with a cover of a man being tortured
            is at its epicenter. He may be rooted in American                                by the Crypt-Keeper, the Old Witch, and the
            patriotism, but his heroism and bravery resonate                                   Vault-Keeper who wields a blazing hot EC branding
            throughout the world, and that is why we knew                                        iron. The interior art was provided by Graham
            this hero prop used by Chris Evans would lead                                         Ingels, Jack Kamen, and Wally Wood.
            the auction, just like Cap leads the Avengers,”                                           “With the conclusion of Auction #233, we
            Hake’s President Alex Winter said. “Because it                                          have now set a new house record for the year
            was used for close-ups in Evans’ hands, it is                                           with $10 million in sales,” Winter said. “Our
            simply gorgeous and will make a stunning                                                 aim is always to bring our bidders exciting
            showpiece in the winning bidder’s collection.                                            material, whether it’s a childhood toy lovingly
            Our office is buzzing with excitement after                                              remembered or a high-value rarity they’ve
            this sale and we are ready to offer more film                                           been yearning to own. We’ve already
            and TV props of this caliber.”                                                          consigned some amazing collectibles for
               The 1999 Pokémon Unlimited Base Set                                                 premier auctions in 2022. Stay tuned!”
            Holographic Uncut Proof Sheet took the                                                   The Abraham Lincoln 1864 clasped hands,
            auction’s second spot when it caught $45,559.                                       bearded portrait bandana was the highest seller on
            The 26-1/2” x 39-1/2” uncut sheet has 100 cards                                   the first day of the action. It brought $35,695 against
            (15 Holographic) featuring art by Keiji Kinebuchi, Ken                          a $20,000 estimate. The cotton bandana has a portrait
            Sugimori, and Mitsuhiro Arita. The holographic                                     of Lincoln from a J.C. Buttre engraving of a Mathew
            pattern seen on this sheet was changed before     Captain America’s shield, screen used by   Brady photo. Lincoln is in the center of the image
            production and was not featured on published cards.   Chris Evans in Avengers: Endgame, topped   with a laurel wreath dotted with berries over a bold
            While the cards on this sheet are Shadowless, the   Hake’s November 2-3, 2021 auction when   red background decorated with stars. The border
            layout matches the few Unlimited uncut sheets that       it sold for $259,539.     features eagles with American shields and the corners
            Hake’s has seen.                                        Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions  have clasped hands flanked by American flags.
               Mickey Mouse comic strips continue to be high                                      “What makes this really special is that it features
            sellers with a 1931 daily strip original art by Floyd Gottfredson and   Lincoln with a beard. When we think of Lincoln, we see him with a
            Earl Duvall hammering for $45,430. The February 20, 1931, daily   beard, but the majority of presidential campaign artifacts feature
            strip features Gottfredson’s pencils with Duvall’s inks on a 7” x 25-3/8”   a beardless portrait as he did not adorn a beard until after his first
            artboard. From the “Mickey Mouse vs. Kat Nipp” storyline, Mickey   election in 1860, in part because of the suggestion in a letter from an
            appears in all five panels to send a pack of dogs after Kat Nipp.    11-year-old girl,” Hake’s Consignment Manager Scott Mussell said.
               Star Wars material was led by a pair of key pieces. The Millennium   “Generally speaking, material from 1864 is scarcer than that of the
            Falcon Spaceship AFA 80+ NM from 1979 flew to $42,834, exceeding   1860 campaign and bearded images have always carried a premium.
            the $35,000 estimate. This large toy is detailed with landing gear and   This is especially the case with textiles, widely considered the premier
            entrance ramp, opening cockpit, secret hiding compartment, revolving   artifacts of pre-1880 presidential campaign material culture. So, this
            radar dish, and laser gun and seats. Still in the original box, it is a   just checks all the boxes; from 1864, bearded portrait from an iconic
            scarcely found high-grade factory sealed example.                 image, bold design with outstanding display
               Not to be out done by Han Solo’s ship, the Luke Skywalker      presence that is printed on fabric and features
            12-back-A AFA 80 NM (double-telescoping, SKU on footer) brought   the iconic rail-splitter president.”
            $42,834. This 3-3/4” figure comes with the double-telescoping
            lightsaber that features a second extendable section. Made for Kenner’s     J.C. Vaughn is the Vice-President of
            1978 toy line, it is on an unpunched card.                             Gemstone Publishing. Gemstone’s Amanda
               Two copies of Fantastic Four #1 were sold, with the CGC-certified   Sheriff contributed extensively to this column.

                                                                                                                       December 2021       41
   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48