News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - DALLAS, TEXAS: One of the earliest comic books ever issued by fledgling publisher Timely Comics, predating the first issues of such well-known titles as Captain America Comics, The Human Torch and Sub-Mariner Comics, was Daring Mystery Comics, with a cover date of January 1940. An anthology title, as was common in comics’ earliest days, the first issue of Daring Mystery presented the adventures of such eager young heroes as The Fiery Mask (who, ironically, was maskless in his first cover appearance), Monako, The Master Magician, John Steele, Soldier of Fortune, and Doc Doyle, Daring Underworld-Buster.
“This was one of Timely’s earliest efforts,” said Ed Jaster, Vice-President of Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, “following their maiden title, Marvel Comics, by only a few scant months. While it doesn’t hold as lofty a place in comics’ history as some of its Timely brethren, Daring Mystery #1 has a lot to recommend it, not the least of which is a stunning cover by the legendary Alex Schomburg featuring bondage, hooded bad guys and action galore!”
“The Denver copy of this book, which we’re pleased to offer in our upcoming Signature auction, is a real stunner,” Jaster continued, “which could easily have hailed from that ‘other’ premier Colorado pedigree collection. This is one of those Golden Age greats that is rarely seen by even the most avid collectors, with only a relative handful known to exist. In fact, only five unrestored copies have been evaluated by CGC to date. Currently, this copy stands alone at the top of the CGC census, with its nearest rival a distant 6.0!”
“Books of this caliber are rarely offered twice,” Jaster said, “as they commonly find their way into permanent collections and stay there for years to come. Give the scarcity and desirability of this great issue, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it inspire some spirited bidding at auction and then reign as the centerpiece of an advanced private collection for a very long time.”
Heritage Auction Galleries will offer Daring Mystery Comics #1 Denver pedigree Timely, 1940) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages in their upcoming Comics Signature Auction, to be held May 11-13, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com/Comics.
For more information about Heritage’s auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.
Heritage specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, classic toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.
Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288 or Lon Allen at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit http://www.HeritageAuctions.com and click on the “Sell Now” tab. Or
