Cobain’s guitar rocked and Star Wars figures defied gravity at Hake’s $2.5M pop culture auction
‘Star Wars: Droids’ Vlix action figure soared to $44,262; ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’ Yoda more than tripled estimate at $18,569 – a warm-up for phenomenal Jeff Jacob collection coming in January
YORK, Pa. – A stage-used Memphis Stratocaster-replica guitar that a relatively unknown Kurt Cobain smashed onstage at a 1991 gig led prices realized at Hake’s $2.5 million online pop culture auction held November 19-20, 2024. The guitar had been played, then destroyed, by Cobain at a small Nirvana benefit concert in Olympia, Washington, four months before the band recorded their game-changing LP Nevermind. In the melee following the guitar’s destruction, it was recovered by a local musician who later gifted it to the owner of a record store in Portland, Oregon. The destroyed instrument was displayed at the shop and even won an MTV-sponsored Nirvana contest. As its value rose, it was secured in a private location where it remained until its consignment to Hake’s. Entered in the auction with an open estimate, it attracted 21 bids and rose to $157,773, making it the top seller in a $2.5 million event.
Many other significant items from Nirvana’s early days dominated the music memorabilia section of the sale. The original-art mechanical master for the poster publicizing the band’s April 17, 1991 concert at the OK Hotel in Seattle – where Nirvana live-debuted the grunge anthem Smells Like Teen Spirit – was signed and inscribed in pencil on verso by the late Seattle artist Mark Bendix with the notation “Original Paste Up Master MB.” Accompanied by a bill of sale dated and signed by both Bendix and the auction consignor – who acquired it directly from the artist – sold for $25,700 against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.
Bidders stepped up to the plate for another heavy hitter that landed in the top 10: a 1917 Collins-McCarthy Candy Co. E135 #82 Shoeless Joe Jackson baseball card from the confectioner’s 200-card series. Designated “Authentic-Altered” by PSA due to the slightest of margin trims, the card is one of only 11 of its type known to exist in any condition. Against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000, it rounded the bases to slide home confidently at $26,780.
Rare classic comic books are always a big part of Hake’s sales. An important Silver Age comic offered in their November event was The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, March 1963), CGC-graded 7.5 VF. This title is desired by every superhero comic fan, as it features the first appearances of both J Jonah Jameson and The Chameleon, and retells the origin story of Spider-Man. It is also notable for being the first comic with a Fantastic Four crossover. Combining a Stan Lee story, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko’s cover art; and Ditko interior art, this powerhouse comic closed at $29,984.
With excitement building for Hake’s January 22, 2025 mega-auction of the extraordinary Jeff Jacob action-figure collection, bidders were in the mood to get a head start and snap up some great rarities from the November sale’s selection. One of the most sought-after entries was a Glasslite Star Wars: Droids (1988) 4.25-inch Vlix action figure on a partially-punched Brazilian blister card. This figure was released exclusively in Brazil because of the 1985-86 Star Wars: Droids animated TV series’ cancellation in the United States. AFA-graded 80 NM, it was one of only 12 graded by AFA and the single highest-graded figure of its type. This premier entry sold at the upper end of its estimate range, for $44,262.
Could it have been the orange snake wrapped around the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1981) Yoda 32 Back-B 2-inch action figure that persuaded bidders to bypass the pre-sale estimate? Presented on a sealed, unpunched blister card, the figure depicting the long-lived and powerful possessor of the Force achieved $18,569 against an estimate of $2,000-$5,000.
Much scarcer than its American counterpart produced by Hasbro, a Transformers (1985) Series 1 Autobot Commander Optimus Prime in its original window box was manufactured in Mexico by Plasticos IGA. An extremely nice exampled AFA-graded 85 NM+, it was formerly in the collection of Briton Mark Warner. Against a $5,000-$10,000 estimate, it proved the enduring appeal of Transformers by knocking down a winning bid of $20,060.
Just in time for the holiday season, a Santa Claus mannequin costume display for the live-action adaptation of Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Universal Pictures, 2000) instantly recalled Jim Carrey’s performance as the grumpy recluse of Mount Crumpit who eventually learned the true meaning of Christmas. The auction lot consisted of a Santa coat, matching hat and boots; spandex pants, and a leather belt with metal buckle. The coat was identified by a custom-made label from the film’s costumer, John David Ridge, bearing the printed name of “Mr Jim Carrey” and the handwritten phrase “C O’Hara -Hero,” a reference to Carrey’s ski-scene stunt double, Chris O’Hara. The display was bid to $25,960 against an estimate of $5,000-$10,000.
An exciting selection of political memorabilia produced highlights from both the 19th- and 20th-centuries. A rare and important 1952 “Youth For Kennedy” US Senate campaign button, 2.25 inches in diameter, came with provenance from the prestigious John Hillhouse collection. One of the rarest of all known Kennedy buttons and believed to be the only one of its type ever to appear in a public sale, it sold above its high estimate for $12,331.
With charm to spare, an attractive William Henry Harrison cobalt blue stoneware log cabin bank attributed to Thomas Haig, Jr, Philadelphia, was produced between 1840 and 1850. The distinctive architectural bank’s design was manufactured in three iterations: stoneware, redware and Rockingham ware. The auction example was hand-inscribed “1846” under its base in cobalt. Formerly in the Rex Stark collection, it was claimed by its new owner for $11,682 against an estimate of $2,000-$5,000.
To discuss consigning a collection or single item to a future Hake’s pop culture memorabilia auction, please call +1 866-404-9800 (toll-free) or +1 717-434-1600; or email [email protected]. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Visit Hake’s online at https://www.hakes.com for more information about the January 22, 2025 auction of the Jeff Jacob collection of action figures, playsets vehicles and other rarities from Star Wars, GI Joe, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Masters of the Universe, and other production lines. The digital catalog for the Jacob sale will be available to view online on January 6, 2025.
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