Hake’s Auctions
3679 Concord Rd, York, Pennsylvania 17402
717-434-1600
About Auction House
Founded in 1967 Hake's was the first Pop Culture auction house in the US. After 51 years the company, headquartered in York, PA, continues to be the leader in the field of popular culture artifacts. Each auction offers an array of collectible Comic Books & Original Art, Political Americana, Disneyana, Toys & Action Figures, Sports, Movie Posters, Entertainment Memorabilia, Autographs, Comic Characters, Concert Posters, and all other facets of popular culture.Auction Previews & News
12 Results
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseGuitar Kurt Cobain sensationally smashed at pre-fame gig to express the nihilism of grunge headlines Hake’s Nov. 19-20 pop memorabilia auction
Rock artifact of immeasurable importance was retrieved by local bass player after Jan. 18, 1991 concert and gifted to record shop owner who kept it safe for 33 years despite two break-ins Nirvana Kurt Cobain Stage Used And Smashed Guitar Jan. 18, 1991 Olympia, Wa. YORK, Pa. – Hake’s will crank up the volume to 11 on November 19-20 as they auction the single most important rock music artifact to pass through their hands in 57 years as pop culture specialists. After not-so-quietly residing in a private collection since 1991, the Japanese-made guitar that a barely-known Kurt Cobain trashed onstage at a small gig in Washington will re-emerge, with a story that deserves its own chapter in the history of grunge. It all began on January 18, 1991, in Olympia, Washington, about an hour away from the Pacific Northwest’s music capital, Seattle. On a makeshift stage at The Evergreen State College Library, fewer than 500 local scenesters coughed up $4 each to attend an anti-Gulf War benefit concert headlined by an up-and-coming local band, Nirvana. Few in attendance could have imagined how famous or influential the band would become later that year with the release of their career-changing single Smells Like Teen Spirit, from the LP Nevermind. The band’s set that night in Olympia culminated with Cobain’s violent destruction of a red-and-white Memphis Stratocaster-replica guitar, which was discarded and ultimately recovered by Chris Brady, bassist in the band Pond. Later, Brady gifted the battered instrument to his good friend Janel Jarosz, owner of The Ooze, a Portland, Oregon, record shop. It would go on to serve as the centerpiece of a Nirvana display that won a national MTV-sponsored contest. Jarosz, a huge Nirvana fan who also played in a band called Trailer Queen, cherished the guitar and kept it safe, even securing it to her record shop’s ceiling after two break-ins. Now, after 33 years of ownership, she has entrusted Hake’s to auction the historical music treasure. Jarosz discusses its background alongside Brady in an entertaining Hake’s-produced video that is a must-see for grunge fans. The guitar has an open-ended…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseGolden Age comics and Star Wars rarities dominated the top 10 at Hake’s $2.9M pop culture auction
Big winners: Captain America Comics #1, $172,221; Superman #1, $84,370; record-setting Kenner Jawa figure and ThunderCats Lion-O; excellent results on original comic art + Batman surprises 'Captain America Comics’ #1, March 1941, CGC 5.5 Fine-, with origin and first appearance of Captain America, Bucky Barnes, and their nemesis The Red Skull. Action-packed World War II cover shows the Captain punching Hitler. Stories by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Cover art by Kirby; interior art by Simon, Kirby and Al Liederman. Key Golden Age comic book with historical significance. Entered with an open estimate, it sold for $172,221. YORK, Pa. – The most patriotic superhero of them all, Captain America, was in stellar, fist-flying form at Hake’s July 30-31 pop culture memorabilia auction. A rare copy of Timely’s Captain America Comics #1, the March 1941 comic book introducing the indomitable World War II character, his sidekick Bucky Barnes and their Nazi nemesis The Red Skull, swept the field to claim top-lot honors at $172,221. The book’s action-packed cover shows the Captain, clad in his trademark red-white-and-blue outfit, punching Hitler squarely in the face. The image of the hero and his unabashed wartime bravado buoyed spirits both at home and on the battlefield, leading to an upsurge in Captain America Comics’ circulation that ultimately peaked at a staggering one million copies per month. CGC-graded 5.5 Fine- and offered with an open estimate, the rare book presented by Hake’s was airborne all the way to $172,221. Both the #1 and #2 positions in the $2.9 million sale were claimed by Golden Age comics. Following Captain America in the winner’s circle was the character who started it all for comic-book superheroes, the one and only Man of Steel. Following his earth-stopping 1938 debut in Action Comics, Superman was given his own dedicated title. In summer of 1939, DC issued Superman #1. It contained the Superman origin story, as written and illustrated by co-creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and included stories that detailed Superman’s interplanetary origin and chronicled Clark Kent’s arrival at the Daily Star newspaper (precursor to the Daily Planet). One of a…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseCaptain America Comics #1, a key Golden Age comic book, could pack a mighty punch at Hake’s big July 30-31 pop culture memorabilia auction
Also featured: original comic book cover art, 1881 Troy Trojans baseball cabinet card, Star Wars: 1978 French Meccano Luke Skywalker figure, Boba Fett mail-in bell hanger, 1982 Princess Leia sample Captain America Comics’ #1, March 1941, CGC 5.5 Fine-, with origin and first appearance of Captain America, Bucky Barnes, and their nemesis The Red Skull. Action-packed World War II cover shows the Captain punching Hitler. Stories by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Cover art by Kirby; interior art by Simon, Kirby and Al Liederman. Key Golden Age comic book with historical significance. Estimate: $200,000+ YORK, Pa. – Original comic book cover art by iconic creators, Star Wars rarities to delight even the most advanced collectors, and a prized Golden Age comic, Captain America Comics #1, form a powerful leaderboard for Hake’s Premier Auction taking place online, July 30 and 31. The top-notch 2,120-lot selection, fully vetted by the Pennsylvania company’s team of specialists, spans many dozens of pop-culture categories that have proved to be fan favorites over Hake’s 57 years in the collectibles business. The star of the two-day event is expected to be a CGC 5.5 Fine- issue of Captain America Comics #1. Published in March 1941, the rare book contains the origin and first appearance of Captain America, Bucky Barnes, and their nemesis The Red Skull. Its action-packed World War II-themed cover shows the Captain punching Hitler. Wondering how many comic book all-stars can be showcased in one issue? This one goes for the max, with stories by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, plus Kirby cover art and interior art by Simon, Kirby, and Al Liederman. “This is not only a key Golden Age comic book with added historical significance, it's also a key issue when compared to the entire realm of comic books,” said Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Auctions. “It’s an absolute must-have for any serious comic collection and would qualify as the centerpiece.” Auction estimate: $200,000+ One of the fastest-rising categories in the collectibles world is original comic book art, especially cover art. Hake’s will answer the demand with an array of outstanding choices, led…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseHake’s announces January 2025 auction to launch series of sales featuring Jeff Jacob action figure collection, one of the world’s largest and finest of its type
Holdings include immaculate Star Wars, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, GI Joes and Masters of the Universe figures, most AFA-graded, some the highest-graded in the global census Super-collector Jeff Jacob bids farewell to his spectacular collection of 3,000+ AFA-graded action figures, which Hake’s will present in an auction series that starts in January 2025. Hake’s Auctions image YORK, Pa. – Veteran collectors of action figures may think they’ve seen it all, but the team at Hake’s Auctions says wait – there’s more. Much more! Starting in January 2025, the Pennsylvania-based company, which holds numerous world records in pop culture categories, will auction the internationally renowned Jeff Jacob action figure collection. Jacob’s 30+ year assemblage comprising more than 3,000 pieces cuts a wide but highly selective swath across the action-figure universe, starting with 1970s Star Wars characters and progressing into the 1980s with premier G.I. Joes, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Masters of the Universe and other productions. Nearly all figures, playsets, vehicles and other related items in the collection are AFA-graded. Most are high grade, and some are the highest-graded examples of their type in the entire AFA Population Report. “It is by far the largest and most extensive action figure collection ever to come to auction. Many of the figures have never appeared at auction before; they’ve always been privately owned. As for the collection’s value? It’s in the multimillions,” said Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Auctions. The fully-illustrated auction catalog exclusively featuring the Jeff Jacob Collection Part I is expected to mail out shortly after New Year’s Day. Simultaneously, a digital version of the catalog will post online. Visit Hake’s website and follow them on social media for auction highlights and updates throughout 2024 and beyond. To contact Hake’s, call +1 866-404-9800 (toll-free) or +1 717-434-1600; or email www.hakes.com. Online: https://www.hakes.com/ Find more auction world news on AuctionDaily's news channel.
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseBooming market for pop-culture memorabilia powered $2.5M result at Hake’s March 19-20 auction
Top sellers: Aurora Superman/Spider-Man model kit combo, $54,516; Star Wars Tri-Logo General Madine figure, $42,242; 1860 Lincoln/Hamlin flag, $42,185; Godzilla’s Go Kart model kit, $36,344 Aurora Superman & Spider-man Rare Store Two-pack Factory-sealed Boxed Model Kit Pair. YORK, Pa. – Hake’s highlight-packed March 19-20 auction of pop-culture rarities closed the books at $2.5 million and sent a resounding signal about the strength of the current market for high-grade, market-fresh memorabilia. The abundance of record-setting and estimate-defying prices attested to the growing demand for superhero toys of the 1960s and elusive figures from the Star Wars galaxy. Like-new model kits with provenance from the renowned Janusey Brothers collection ran the table, commanding prices that were nothing short of astonishing. A boxed and factory-sealed Aurora model kit duo consisting of a ©1963 NPP Inc. Superman (second version) kit No. 462-100 and ©1966 Marvel Comics Group Spider-Man kit No. 477-100 topped the two-day event. Sixty years ago, the kits would have retailed for $1 apiece, but combined in a promotional package for WT Grant variety stores, they were factory-labeled with the pennywise price of $1.58. The superhero combo teamed up to achieve $54,516 against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$5,000. A “monstrous” price was paid for another boxed and unused Aurora model kit with Janusey Brothers provenance. Copyrighted in 1966, “Godzilla’s Go Kart” was produced in low numbers and distributed to a mere handful of stores near Aurora’s Long Island (NY) headquarters, making it a very rare item from the get-go. The auction entry – the only boxed example Hake’s has handled in its 57 years of operation – raced across the finish line to a world-record $36,344 against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000. Star Wars fans were in the fight for a 1984 Palitoy Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Tri-Logo 70 Back-B blister card containing a 3.75-inch action figure of General Madine. One of the rarest of all production Star Wars figures, its packaging includes text in four languages: English, Spanish, French and Italian. AFA-graded 60 Y-Ex and the first of its type to be offered by Hake’s in any condition, it sold…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseHake’s March 19-20 auction offers a bumper crop of unique, top-graded pop culture rarities from legendary collections and revered comic book artists
“One, two, Freddy’s coming for you”… Duncan Eagleson’s original ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ poster art, estimated at $20K-$35K, blazed the trail for all ‘Nightmare’ visuals to follow A Nightmare On Elm Street Pre-release Movie Poster Original Art By Duncan Eagleson. YORK, Pa. – Turning the pages of Hake’s newly released March 19-20 auction catalog will be a Christmas-morning experience for pop culture collectors. Repeatedly, the expertly-detailed descriptions include such phrases as “highest graded,” “only known example,” or “fresh to the hobby.” Such commentary and accolades aren’t confined to just one category, either. They’re woven throughout the broadly-varied 1,928-lot selection, from original comic-book art to a Dave Grohl handwritten Nirvana set list to sole survivors of the baseball and trading-card realm. Here are highlights of the auction journey Hake’s has in store for fans in their first major event of 2024. In the poster-collecting world, R-rated posters rule, especially those promoting horror films like Wes Craven’s 1984 slasher classic A Nightmare on Elm Street (NOES). While posters from the “Nightmare” franchise are in constant demand, their rarity pales in comparison to that of the original 1983 pre-release art that launched the famous Elm Street imagery. That particular commissioned artwork, which was created by Duncan Eagleson, has never been offered for public sale – until now. It is the centerpiece of Hake’s March auction and comes with impeccable provenance, as it is consigned by the artist himself. Eagleson’s airbrushed acrylic painting is a tranquil depiction of a suburban neighborhood at dusk, with one significant difference. Ominously positioned overhead is a huge triple-bladed metal claw that has violently ripped through the sky, a portent of what was to come. Eagleson sized the artwork to suit a 27-inch by 40-inch poster, but it did not go on to be used as the final US movie poster – Matt Peak created that particular artwork, which features four, not three, blades. Eagleson’s art appeared in a pre-release newspaper ad campaign and on posters issued in Europe. To his surprise, it was even featured on the 20th anniversary (2004) release of NOES. His absolutely unique original…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseHake’s season finale hits $2.4M, with elusive collectibles setting record prices at their auction debuts
Chew on this: Rare non-sports gum cards powered through their estimates, with a 1940 ‘Strange True Stories’ set commanding $64K and dark-horse ‘Hee Haw’ set harvesting $22K YORK, Pa. – Hake’s wrapped the year with a $2.4 million auction that traversed the pop-culture panorama, from 19th-century political memorabilia to modern-era toys and original comic book art. The November 14-15 sale defied a collectibles market that had leveled after a prolonged upward run, knocking down excellent prices in an increasingly competitive landscape. Hake’s president, Alex Winter, observed: “With all that is going on in the world, the state of the economy and prices on many collectibles coming down from the dramatic increases of the past two years, none of that had much of an effect on this auction. Countless record prices were paid across the many different categories of collectibles we handle. The sale was a real testament to how strong the hobby can be when collectors are offered the best of the best and the rarest of the rare. We’ve concluded the year at $9.6 million, which nearly matches the corresponding figures for 2021 and 2022, respectively.” The online-only auction opened with a historically important memento, a Washington Cathedral program book from March 31, 1968, inscribed and signed by the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr in the final days of his life. It was at that service that Dr King delivered his last Sunday sermon, and according to Hake’s research, no other MLK autograph previously seen at public auction was signed at a later point in Dr King’s life. The book made its auction debut at Hake’s, and accompanied by a JSA LOA and a letter from the consignor detailing the circumstances by which he obtained the autograph, it sold for $28,556. Another fresh-to-the-market find was a 1953 Our Sports magazine subscription-incentive card bearing the image of beloved Hall of Famer and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson in his Brooklyn Dodgers uniform. Collectors would have immediately recognized it as the same photo seen on the colorized 1953 Topps card #1 from a now-classic set. The only known example of…
Auction Industry, Press ReleasePop culture rarities line up for their stellar auction debuts at Hake’s Nov. 14-15 auction
Featured: 150 lots of original comic book art, artist/author-signed comic books, vintage gum card sets, Star Wars, Transformers, Jackie Robinson card, MLK-signed last Sunday sermon book YORK, Pa. – Two things have proved to be true with each successive pop culture auction hosted by Hake’s: bidder engagement has increased over the previous sale, and collectibles once thought to have been apocryphal have surfaced to prove that they do, indeed, exist. All indications point to that trend continuing at Hake’s November 14-15 auction, which is packed with the elusive memorabilia today’s collectors desire but rarely see in the marketplace. 1953 ‘Our Sports’ magazine subscription-incentive baseball card with image of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson in his Brooklyn Dodgers uniform. It is the same photo seen on the colorized 1953 Topps card that is #1 in a now-classic set. Card is CGC-graded 2.5 Good+. Only known example and never before seen at auction. Lot estimate: $5,000-$10,000 Perennially a strong category for Hake’s, political memorabilia will open the 1,909-lot sale, starting with an item of great historical importance. Lot #1 is a March 31, 1968 church program book from Washington Cathedral, signed by the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr, who delivered his last Sunday sermon at that service. Four days later, Dr King lost his life to an assassin’s bullet. The autograph was obtained by a then-18-year-old college student who went on to become a Washington lawyer. He treasured the memento for 55 years before making the decision to part with it. According to Hake’s research, no other MLK-autographed item ever to come to auction was signed at a later point in Dr King’s life. A framed presentation, the signed book comes with a JSA LOA and a letter from the consignor detailing the circumstances leading up to his fortuitous encounter with the civil rights icon. Estimate: $35,000-$50,000 An 1856 hand-painted folk art parade banner designed in Spencerian style promotes the ultimately unsuccessful Republican presidential/VP candidates John C Fremont and William L Dayton. Hand-inked by artist FW Wells onto two vertical sections of unglazed cotton joined at the center, it is attached…
Auction Result, Press ReleaseAmazing Spider-Man #1 ignites comic book bidding frenzy that ends with an astounding $520,380 auction price at Hake’s
CGC-graded 9.6 NM+, the coveted Spidey comic from the John B Goodrich collection led a stellar array of pop culture memorabilia that totaled $3.4M YORK, Pa. – A super-clean, CGC 9.6 copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1 (March 1963) – one of only five of its type and grade known to exist – set off a bidding war at Hake’s July 25-26 auction of pop culture memorabilia, rocketing to an astonishing final price of $520,380. The comic had been displayed at Comic-Con in San Diego and attracted huge interest from fans, a sure sign of what was to come. Marvel ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #1 (March 1963), CGC 9.6 NM+, white pages, one of only five CGC 9.6 copies in existence and one of only three in its grade to have been offered for public sale in the past 10 years. Provenance: John B. Goodrich collection. It exceeded its high estimate by more than $170,000, selling for a heart-stopping $520,380. “Collectors knew what made the book special. It came from the John B Goodrich collection, had desirable white pages, and was one of only three at that grade level to reach the auction marketplace in more than a decade,” said Hake’s president, Alex Winter. “Eight months prior to our sale, a CGC 9.6 Spider-Man #1, which had off-white as opposed to white pages, sold for $336,000. Everyone in the comic book world was aware that our July auction was a buying opportunity not to be missed, so the result did not surprise us. Now the winning bidder owns one of the world’s top copies of one of the most important books in the Marvel universe.” More than 300 CGC-certified comic books were offered, including examples of nearly all of Marvel’s key Silver Age titles. The company’s August 1962 production Amazing Fantasy #15, CGC-graded 7.5 VF, is notable for its introduction of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, as well as the character’s cover debut. Like the auction’s top lot, it came with provenance from the Goodrich collection and boasted bright colors and stunning condition overall. It sold at the upper end of its estimate range, for $170,844.…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseAmazing Spider-Man #1, CGC-graded 9.6 NM+, could rock the house at Hake’s July 25-26 pop culture auction
Also Featured: Star Wars Boba Fett prototype action figure & movie prop; original comic book art, Transformers, early sports & political items, Tiffany watches, designer jewelry YORK, Pa. – Hake’s July 25-26 auction of pop culture memorabilia serves as an exciting virtual showcase of “firsts” – first appearances of comic book superheroes, rare first issues, and first iterations of classic action figures. The 1,930-lot sale encompasses dozens of categories of America’s most sought-after collectibles, from political and sports to Star Wars and Transformers, with bidding now available through Hake’s online platform. More than 300 CGC-certified comic books will change hands, including examples of nearly all of Marvel’s key Silver Age titles. “There are even multiple copies of some of the most desirable issues, so it’s definitely going to be a ‘collector’s choice’ auction,” said Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Auctions. Without question, the most buzzworthy comic book in the sale is a CGC 9.6 NM+ copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1 (March 1963) with white pages. It is one of only five CGC 9.6 copies known to exist and one of only three at that grade level to reach the auction marketplace in over a decade. The most recently auctioned ASM #1, which had off-white pages as opposed to the more-desirable white pages seen in Hake’s example, sold in 2022 for $336,000. “Even the most advanced comic book collectors are expected to go after the one in our sale with a vengeance, because a better copy might not come to auction anytime soon – if ever. This is a very rare opportunity for collectors to get their hands on an incredible, very high-grade example of this key book,” Winter said. CGC has graded a total of 4,688 Spider-Man #1 comics. The one consigned to Hake’s, from the collection of John B Goodrich, was graded very recently and is one of the seven best copies documented in two decades of record-keeping, The issue will be displayed at Comic-Con from July 19 to 23 in San Diego and is expected to draw huge interest from fans. Kenner, 1979, Star Wars Boba Fett L-slot…
Auction Result, Press ReleaseMVPs in multiple pop culture categories drove in a $2.57M total at Hake’s Premier Auction
Star Wars figures, Transformers and iconic Hendrix poster among the many record-setters, with nine of the top 10 lots surpassing their high estimates YORK, Pa. – Hake’s served up a pop culture feast at their March 21-22 Premier Auction, with one exciting rarity after another eliciting pre-sale comments like, “I’ve never seen one of those in the marketplace before” or “I never even knew that piece existed.” Closing at $2,570,000 inclusive of buyer’s premium, the two-day event was led by heavy hitters from the baseball, political memorabilia, Star Wars, comic art and vintage toy categories. Many items powered past their high estimates, and some set new world auction records along the way. James M. Cox and Franklin Delano Roosevelt 1920 jugate button, 1-inch diameter, believed to have been a salesman’s sample. One of only six of its type known to exist, this button was the crown jewel of the legendary John Hilhouse collection. Sold for $100,300 against an estimate of $35,000-$50,000 Leading the list of top 10 prices realized was a 1-inch version of the elusive 1920 Cox/Roosevelt jugate button. One of only six of its type known to exist, and likely a salesman’s sample, it was the most highly prized piece in the legendary John Hilhouse collection. Hake’s cataloged it with a $35,000-$50,000 estimate, but collectors had their say and pushed it to a final price of $100,300. Hake’s now holds the world record for selling the top three pinback buttons at auction, including a 1.25-inch Cox/Roosevelt jugate ($185,850, 03/15/2022) and an oversize “Drink Alpen Brau” pictorial button depicting the 1916 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox with a youthful Babe Ruth ($62,980, 09/23/2020). “We thought the Cox/Roosevelt jugate in this sale had a good shot at challenging the high estimate, but we did not see it doubling that number – an incredible result,” said Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Auctions. “It is a clear indication of how strong the political memorabilia market is and how many collectors are willing to pay above-estimate prices for genuinely rare items.” The immortal Bambino – Babe Ruth – came out swinging on…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseHake’s March 21-22 auction presents fresh collections, prototypes and rarities from political, sports, comic book, toy and pop culture categories
Featured: 1920 Cox/Roosevelt jugate button, Reagan inaugural license plates, Australian Star Wars Jawa vinyl-cape figure, Ewoks prototypes, Transformers, Ruth & Honus Wagner ephemera YORK, Pa. – Hake’s, America’s foremost source of rare and expertly authenticated pop-culture and historical memorabilia, will launch into the 2023 auction season with a March 21-22 offering of more than 1,900 choice lots from 200+ collector categories. From Star Wars to sports, vintage toys to rock ‘n’ roll, there’s plenty to discover in the print or online catalog. Kenner Star Wars: Ewoks (1985) Series 2 fully painted first-shot prototype action figures of Chief Chirpa with staff, satchel accessories and mismatched B-Wing Pilot aluminum Collectors Coin which Kenner included to show how final product would look; and Paploo with club, horn accessories and mismatched Collectors Coin. Both figures AFA 70 Y-EX+, each with a CIB LOA. Series 2 never saw production despite being shown in 1986 Kenner Toy Fair catalog, making these prototypes extremely rare and desirable. Provenance: Gus Lopez collection. Estimate (each): $10,000-$20,000 Founded in 1967 with a specialty in early political memorabilia, Hake’s has set one auction record after another in that category, handling many of the finest known examples. Last March, Hake’s set a world auction record for a pinback button with the $185,850 sale of a James M Cox/Franklin D Roosevelt jugate campaign button from the US Presidential election of 1920. That heady price demolished the $70,092 previous auction record for a pinback button of any type, which was achieved by Hake’s with the June 2021 sale of a Babe Ruth 1915 American League Champions button. It could be deja vu all over again when Hake’s offers a 1-inch version of the 1920 Cox/Roosevelt jugate button in its opening session on March 21. An extraordinary rarity, the button is believed to have been a salesman’s sample, as was the case with the 1.25-inch button sold last March. The button entered in this month’s sale is one of only six of its type known to exist. It was the crown jewel of the legendary John Hilhouse collection and is estimated at $35,000-$50,000. A fantastic…
Auction Result, Press ReleaseDefying stock market slump, pop culture rarities drive Hake’s auction to strong $2.4M finish
Featured: Encased Star Wars 1978 Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi double-telescoping lightsaber action figure $79,178; NZ Mint Mickey Mouse coin $58,410; Don’t Tread On Me Flag, $28,566 YORK, Pa. – Financial markets may be taking a breather, but there’s never a time out for those who pursue investment-grade vintage collectibles. Hake’s, the auction house that lit the fire for America’s pop culture obsession 55 years ago, rang up yet another high-flying auction total on November 15-16, achieving excellent prices across many specialty categories and closing the books at $2.4 million. Encased Star Wars (1978) 3.75in Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi 12 Back-A double-telescoping lightsaber action figure with SKU on footer denoted earlier production, AFA 75 Ex+/NM. Extremely rare and only the third carded specimen of its type ever to be offered by Hake’s. Sold for $79,178 The force remained with Star Wars collectibles, which were led by an extremely rare encased Star Wars (1978) 3.75-inch Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi 12 Back-A double-telescoping lightsaber action figure. It was only the third carded specimen of its type ever to pass through the doors at Hake’s. A SKU on the card’s footer identified it as an earlier production, and with an AFA grade of 75 Ex+/NM to excite collectors, it flew to greater heights, finally stopping at $79,178. A Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1984) Princess Leia 3.75-inch sample figure inspired widespread competition. Dressed in a solid pink poncho, as opposed to the later camouflage poncho, the figure was affixed to an Imperial Stormtrooper/Snowtrooper blister card because cards for the pre-production Leia figure had not yet been produced. With a notarized CIB Letter of Authenticity, and AFA-graded 60 Y-EX, the prized sample figure reached $42,834 against a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$35,000. Only days before celebrating his 94th birthday, Mickey Mouse stepped into the spotlight along with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on a New Zealand Mint 1-kilo Niue coin made of gleaming .999 fine gold. The Disney superstar is depicted on the coin just as he appeared in his debut animated role as Steamboat Willie. Presented in a wooden display box with a New Zealand Mint COA,…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseHake’s Nov. 15-16 auction lineup underscores rock-solid market for Star Wars and surging popularity of vintage video games
Rare Star Wars action figures led by 1978 double-telescoping Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi estimated at $100K-$200K; video games/consoles range from groundbreaking Atari 2600 to PlayStation 4 YORK, Pa. – The quest for early Star Wars collectibles has reached a fevered pitch, but the auction market tells us the journey is just beginning. Interest in Star Wars items is stronger than ever, especially for prototypes and samples, rare variations, and toys produced in low numbers or no numbers at all. To some, it may seem that Hake’s – the auction house holding numerous world records for Star Wars material – has already sold the ultimate rarities from that wildly popular category. But exciting surprises continue to emerge, some from unexpected sources, and those fresh consignments and new discoveries will be front and center at Hake’s November 15-16 pop culture auction. Encased Star Wars (1978) 3.75in Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi 12 Back-A double-telescoping lightsaber action figure with SKU on footer denoted earlier production, AFA 75 Ex+/NM. Extremely rare and only the third carded specimen of its type ever to be offered by Hake’s. Estimate $100,000-$200,000 The high-end selection of elusive action figures is led by a carded double-telescoping Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi. The encased, 3.75-inch Ben Kenobi 12 Back-A figure is extremely rare and only the third carded example of its type ever to be auctioned by Hake’s. A SKU on the package’s footer identifies the figure as an earlier production, and the mere fact that it is packaged makes it “infinitely rarer” than a loose one, says Hake’s catalog description. Its condition is sure to please, with an AFA grading of 75 EX+/NM. Estimate: $100,000-$200,000 A 3.75-inch sample figure of Princess Leia from Kenner’s Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1984) line presents the beloved character in a solid pink poncho as opposed to the later camouflage version. Also, its packaging makes it unusual. “The figure is affixed to an Imperial Stormtrooper/ Snowtrooper blister card because, at the time the sample was produced, cards for the Leia figure had not yet been made,” said Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Auctions. AFA-graded 60 Y-EX, the…
Auction Result, Press ReleaseMarket-watchers pounced on rare original comic strip art at Hake’s $2.7M pop culture memorabilia auction
Six unpublished concept artworks for Star Wars daily comic strip commanded a hefty $171,505 YORK, Pa. – Original comic strip art continues to solidify its position alongside fine art in the collector marketplace, with the latest proof coming on day two of Hake’s July 26-27 auction of pop culture rarities. Amongst the highlights of the $2.7 million sale was a selection of six consecutive lots of original concept art created in the late 1970s for a proposed Star Wars daily newspaper comic strip. Drawn by legendary comic strip artist Al Williamson (1931-2020) as part of a series of twelve strips, the artworks never saw publication. One of six lots of Al Williamson (1931-2020) original, unpublished concept art that preceded the ‘Star Wars’ daily newspaper comic strip (which was ultimately written and drawn by Russ Manning and ran from 1979-1984). Of 12 proposal strips created by Williamson, the first six were gifted to George Lucas; the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott, whose widow has consigned them to Hake’s. Sold for $46,730 “Six of the artworks were gifted to George Lucas, while the other six were given to Star Wars marketing genius Charles Lippincott (1939-2020),” explained Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Auctions. “For more than forty years Mr Lippincott’s six artworks remained with his family until they were consigned to Hake’s by his widow earlier this year.” Offered consecutively, the six lots sold for $171,505, against hopes that they would reach a combined $100,000. Winter added: “It was a great result, and the consignor was pleased, which is how we ultimately define ‘success.’” One of the most sought-after of original comic book artworks in the sale was the Gil Kane/Dick Giordano seven-panel art for Page 27 of Marvel Premiere #15, published in May 1974. This issue saw the debut of the popular Marvel martial artist/superhero Iron Fist. Exceeding its high estimate, the pen-and-ink work sold for $20,350. Similarly, Al Plastino’s original art for the splash page (Page 1) of Superman #184 (DC Comics, February 1966), was bid to $15,055 against an estimate of $5,000-$10,000. A world auction…
