1962 comic book with first appearance of Spider-Man earns $227K at auction A 1962 Amazing Fantasy #15 comic book (the issue that introduced Spider-Man to the world) set an auction record when it sold recently for $227,000.
News-Antique.com - Oct 23,2007 - NEW YORK – In a ComicLink Auction that closed on October 19, a 1962 Amazing Fantasy #15 comic book (the comic book that introduced Spider-Man to the world) broke records when it sold for $227,000. It is the highest auction price ever achieved by a comic book from the 1960s (a k a the Silver Age of comics).
The issue, which features art by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, had the second-highest CGC certified grade in existence – 9.4 or near-mint condition – a grade so rare for this issue, it is considered the Holy Grail to many collectors. The comic also comes with provenance from the noted White Mountain pedigree collection. CGC, which stands for Certified Guaranty Company, is the first independent, impartial, expert third-party grading service in comics.
Following Spider-Man’s debut in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962, the character was given his own comic book title, The Amazing Spider-Man, in March of 1963. Since his creation, Spider-Man has gone on to become one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters – commercially successful in countless comic books, cartoons, feature-length films, toys and related merchandise.
It is the second baby boomer comic to break the $200,000 barrier, coming on the heels of ComicLink’s $210,000 June sale of another copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, which was CGC certified 9.4. The two examples are among the seven best examples known of this title.
The May release of Spider-Man 3 may have contributed to the spiked interest and high prices realized for the Spider-Man comics in the prior ComicLink auction. “Making smart purchases, and great timing on the sales, led to an excellent return in a short period of time for this seller,” said ComicLink President Josh Nathanson. “Within the vintage comic book market, we frequently see surges in demand for comic books containing characters featured in movies. Fortunately for buyers (who will someday also become sellers), it looks as though there is no end in sight to the superhero movie franchise.”
In the wake of the Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer movie, the Fantastic Four #1 comic book, CGC certified 8.5 (very fine condition), sold for a record-setting $52,000 in the same ComicLink auction. Some of the earliest and highest-rated Batman comics from 1940 to 1941 are scheduled to hit the auction block in July, 2008, similarly timed to coincide with the release of the next Batman sequel.
About ComicLink
ComicLink is a full-service exchange, brokerage and auction house for investment quality vintage comic books and original comic art, specializing in comic books and original comic art from the 1930s through 1970s. For more information visit: www.comiclink.com
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For an image of the $227,000 comic book, visit: http://www.comiclink.com/auctions/item.asp?back=%2FAuctions%2Fdefault%2Easp%3FFocused%3D1%26pg%3D8%23Item%5F715469&id=715469
