DALLAS, TEXAS — A rare copy of Action Comics #1—featuring the first appearance of Superman and considered a cornerstone of pop culture—quickly surpassed its $750,000 estimate to sell for $956,000 (including buyer’s premium) at Heritage Auctions’ vintage comic books and comic art sale on Thursday, August 4. The 1938 comic book set a new auction house record for a copy of Action Comics #1.
“As the bidding went higher and higher we were grateful bidders recognized this copy as the gem it truly is,” said Lon Allen, managing director of comics and comic art at Heritage. “Few copies of this comic survive, let alone come to auction with such a bright cover.”
The copy is graded 5.5 by Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) out of a possible 10. Action Comics #1 originally cost just 10 cents when it debuted on comic racks in June of 1938. About 100 copies of the comic book are known to exist 78 years later.
This edition came from the collection of a serious comic book fan from the east coast; the consignor purchased it from a dealer in the 1990s for $26,000. Allen said the copy likely spurred intense bidding because it is very attractive for the grade, as well as being an iconic part of any collection.
A full review of this auction will appear in a future issue.
