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The Most Widely Read Collector's Newspaper In The East Published Weekly By Joel Sater Publications www.antiquesandauctionnews.net
VOL. 46, NO. 45 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2015
Hake’s Auction Will Be Led By Rare LP Signed By All Four Beatles merica’s pop culture headquarters, Hake’s Americana, will offer an unprecedented selection of memorabilia and collectibles in its online, phone and absentee Auction #216 that closes for bidding Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Nov. 10, 11, and 12. More than 200 collector categories are represented in the 2,735-lot sale, with a timeline that starts with a Benjamin Franklin book published in 1745 and concludes with “Walking Dead” comic books issued in 2012. As always, Hake’s has sourced its auction inventory from the finest collections on earth, both known and unknown, and from other high-caliber private collectors with special pieces to sell. It doesn’t get any more special than Lot 2586, an original album cover for the Beatles’ 1964 studio album “A Hard Day’s Night,” autographed on verso by all four members of the legendary English band. Because Beatles multiple-autographed material is so rare, e x p e r t authentication adds a considerable
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This rare 1960 “Kennedy Is The Remedy” presidential campaign button will be estimated at $5,000-$10,000.
premium to any such item’s value if deemed genuine. In the case of the LP in Hake’s sale, it comes with not only a Hake’s Certificate of Authenticity (COA), but also a Letter of Authenticity from Frank Caiazzo, the world’s top authority on Beatles handwriting. Matted and framed, the album back cover is especially desirable because it features individual photo images of all four Beatles below the liner notes. Ringo
This framed Beatles “A Hard Day’s Night” album cover autographed on verso by all four members of the band, 1964, LOA from renowned Beatles handwriting authority Frank Caiazzo and COA from Hake’s, will be estimated at $35,000-$50,000.
Starr’s autograph has the added flourish of a sketched star. Appearing near the top in an unidentified hand are the words “PRESENTED BY WATHES.” This refers to a store in the Beatles’ hometown of Liverpool, England, which offered the autographed LP as the grand prize in a competition it sponsored around the time of the record’s release. The auction lot will open with a $15,000 bid and has been estimated at $35,000-$50,000, an amount t h a t Hake’s president Alex Winter believes may be quite modest. “Albums signed by all four Beatles have sold in excess of $100,000 in the past. Material of this type just isn’t out there, so we’re prepared to be pleasantly surprised,” he said.
The Frank Frazetta (American 1928-2010) Superman specialty original art from 1988 is the only depiction of Superman ever created by the legendary fantasy artist. It comes from the Franco Toscanini collection and will be estimated at $10,000-$20,000.
Following Hake’s previous auction success with Superman rarities from the late Ken “Franco” Toscanini’s collection, it’s now time for Part II and more fantastic buying opportunities. Lot 1622 is not only of interest to Superman enthusiasts but also those who yearn to own original art by legendary illustrator Frank Frazetta (American, 1928-2010). It’s an original 15.5-by-17.5-inch fullcolor Frazetta artwork of Superman in flight, signed by the artist at lower left with a copyright date of 1988. “This was the only depiction of Superman Frank Frazetta ever created,” said Winter. “It was a commissioned job to commemorate the character’s 50th anniversary.” The artwork is accompanied by a letter from Harry Matetsky, renowned collectibles historian and author of “The Adventures of Superman Collecting.” In the letter, Matetsky states: “When he accepted the commission, Frazetta said that his version of ‘the Man of Steel’ would be based on the An important 1948 jugate promoting States Rights Democratic Party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates Strom Thurmond and F.L. Wright will be estimated at $5,000-$10,000.
style of Superman’s original creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster.” Colorful and historical, the original watercolor is expected to make $10,000-$20,000. America’s favorite superhero also makes a powerful impression in Lot 2070, a rare Superman linenmounted one-sheet poster publicizing the original 1948 release of the movie serial starring Kirk Alyn as Superman. Jointly produced by Columbia Pictures and National Comics Pub. Inc. (DC Comics), the poster features a great near-fullbody depiction of Superman flying over three comic books. From the Franco Toscanini collection, it could attract a winning bid of $10,000-$20,000. An extraordinary rarity, Lot 2430 is a colorfully pictorial shipping carton that originally contained 20 boxes of Bowman’s Superman one-cent super bubble gum and picture card sets. “Unlike many gum-card shipping boxes that were generic, this one is illustrated in red and blue on all sides, with images of Superman in flight on two of the sides,” said Winter. With provenance from the Franco Toscanini collection and one of only two known to Hake’s, its estimate is $10,000-$20,000. Superhero collectors can take a lucky dip into another exceptional but little-known collection featured in this sale, that of Chicagoan Gary Keller. Primarily a private buyer who preferred to work through select dealers rather than scouting for goods himself, Keller insisted on top condition and rarity. His
A colorfully illustrated cardboard shipping carton for Bowman’s Superman Super Bubble Gum and Picture Cards, 1940, from the Franco Toscanini collection, will be estimated at $10,000-$20,000.
A Jimi Hendrix Experience German concert poster, 1969, artwork by Gunther Kieser, measuring 23.5 by 33 inches, will be estimated at $2,000-$5,000.
Ideal Batman Play Set, Lot 2140, is regarded as one of the most sought-after of all Batman licensed toys of the 1960s. The near-complete boxed set includes authentic handpainted figures of Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman and Superman, as well as solidcolor configurations of Thunderbolt, Keltor and Mouseman. The set also includes a robot, solar ray weapon, Bat Plane and Bat Car (Batmobile). It will be estimated at $10,000-$20,000. (Continued on page 2)
The Ideal boxed “Super Queens” action figures Mera (Aquaman’s wife) and Wonder Woman, circa 1967, each in factory-sealed original box from the Gary Keller collection, will each hold an estimate of $2,000-$5,000.
The Ideal Official Batman Play Set, copyright 1966, near complete with handpainted figures of Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman and Superman plus additional figures, from the Gary A store display for “Hot Wheels Line 1970” with 16 die-cast replicas from the Gary Keller collection will be estimated at $5,000-$10,000. Keller collection, will be estimated at $10,000-$20,000.