COMPLIMENTARY COPY TM
The Most Widely Read Collector's Newspaper In The East Published Weekly By Joel Sater Publications www.antiquesandauctionnews.net
VOL. 45, NO. 9 FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2014
Stephenson’s Auction Features Library Of Comic Book Pioneer M.C. “Max” Gaines Specialty Sale Includes Collection of Authenticated Sports Memorabilia retain Gaines’ personal bookplate. Among the highlights is a handsome, gold-embossed 10-volume set of “The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe,” which includes poems, essays, criticisms, five volumes of tales, and miscellany. The set is number 168 of 200 from The Connoisseur’s Arnheim Edition and is estimated at $750-$1,500. Other important entries include a gold-embossed five-volume Washington Irving set titled “The Life of George Washington,” A full-size football No. 284 of 300, Centennial helmet signed by Edition, est. $100-$200; H e i s m a n the 1885 2-volume set Trophy win“Personal Memoirs ners is estiof U.S. Grant,” est. mated at $80-$160; the 1872 $400-$800. Samuel Walker & Co., patriarch Boston ediof a pubtion of “The lishing Southern dynasty. He This Charles Fazzino 3-D artwork, “In A Yankee State of Mind,” is estimated at $1,500-$3,000. Rebellion,” devised the est. $100first four-color, $200; and “The Works of Jack London,” est. framed, limited edition Fazzino art- Framed, it measures 2-by-53saddle-stitched “ T h e $100-$200; and “The Works of J. work is titled “Finally A Subway inches wide. Its auction estimate newsprint pamGardens and Menagerie of the Fenimore Cooper,” a four-volume Series,” referring to the 2000 is $750-$1,500. phlet, a precursor to the colorA top prize from the football comics format that became the Zoological Society” published in set published by Porter & Coates, World Series that pitted the New York Mets against their cross-town section is a full-size Riddell helstandard for the American comic 1830/31 by John Sharpe, Piccadilly, Philadelphia, est. $160-$250. Of historical significance is an rivals, the New York Yankees. met profusely autographed by book industry. All-American London, est. $100-$200. Trophy winners. A r t i s t - s i g n e d Heisman Publications, later acquired by and numbered Numbered “6” of only 100, the DC Comics, introduced such 5/25, it also has helmet comes with a Steiner enduring comic-book heroes as an MLB holo- COA, estimate: $400-$800. Green Lantern, Wonder Woman The collection also includes gram and COA and Hawkman. from Museum baseballs autographed by Mickey “Sadly, Mr. Gaines was only Mantle, Willie Mays, Joe Editions Ltd. 49 when he died, but he left a There are DiMaggio, Cal Ripken Jr., Mike huge legacy that was perpetuated four signed and Schmidt, Derek Jeter and many by his son, William Maxwell f r a m e d other MLB stars. Additionally, Gaines (1922-1992),” said C o o p e r s t o w n several autographed bats and Stephenson’s owner, Cindy Collection jer- posters will be auctioned. Stephenson. “Bill Gaines had the “The consignor was a savvy seys in the sale, same visionary mind as his father. including exam- buyer who acquired only wellHe reinvented EC Comics by ples autographed authenticated items from replaunching sci-fi and horror titles, by Ken Griffey utable sources,” said Stephenson. including ‘Tales from the Crypt.’ Jr. (Seattle), est. “I think collectors of memorabilHe also went on to co-found and publish Mad magazine. The name “Breaking Through” is an overhead shot of Michael Jordan dunking a basketball. Signed by $300-$700; Stan ia from all major sports will be “The Man” pleasantly surprised by the quali‘Gaines’ commands great respect Jordan, and numbered 39/100, it is estimated at $750-$1,500. Musial (St. ty of this collection.” in the pop-culture publishing Stephenson’s auction gallery world.” Continuing the long list of fine Oct. 26, 1932, typed letter on Louis), est. $300-$600; Hank The personal library of M.C. and rare books from the Gaines Executive Mansion (New York) Aaron (Atlanta), est. $300-$600; is located at 1005 Industrial Blvd., Gaines, which has been kept library are: a two-volume 1938 edi- letterhead signed in ink “Franklin intact by the family for three gen- tion of “The Confessions of J.J. D. Roosevelt.” In the letter, erations, contains fine leather- Rousseau,” No. 284 of 800, est. Roosevelt thanks a writer from bound books, many of which $80-$160; a 37-volume set of Pennsylvania for sending suggesworks by Alexandre Dumas, est. tions regarding the future US $60-$100; a 1915 12-volume set of President’s economic plan. The date on the letter is compatible with the time of Roosevelt’s tenure as New York’s governor; however, the letter may have been hand-signed by an aide on Roosevelt’s behalf. Part II of the Feb. 28 auction is devoted to a single-owner collection of sports memorabilia from Montgomery County (suburban Philadelphia), Pennsylvania. Most of the items from the collection are The ten-volume set “The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe,” ex M.C. offered with certificates of authen- “Max” Gaines collection, is estimated at $750-$1,500. ticity (COAs). A colorful Charles Fazzino and Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia), in Southampton, Pa. All forms of bidding will be available, includthree-dimensional framed artwork est. $160-$300. For basketball fans, it doesn’t ing live via the Internet through depicting Yankee Stadium is titled “In A Yankee State of Mind.” It get any better than a personally LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable or was created in 2005, is artist- autographed overhead image of an AuctionZip. For additional information, signed and numbered 140/500, and airborne Michael Jordan about to has a Major League Baseball dunk a basketball. Titled “Breaking call 215-322-6182 or visit A five-volume set “The Life of (MLB) hologram. Measuring 16.5- Through,” it is a limited edition www.stephensonsauction.com. George Washington,” ex M.C. All images courtesy of by-35 inches, it is expected to piece numbered 39/100 and comes “Max” Gaines collection, is esti- This bookplate is marked “Ex Libris make $1,500-$3,000. A second with a COA from Upper Deck. Stephenson’s. mated at $100-$200. M.C. Gaines.” n Friday, Feb. 28, the suburban Philadelphia auction house Stephenson’s will present a 202-lot boutique auction featuring the personal library of comic book pioneer M.C. “Max” Gaines (1894-1947) and a single-owner collection of well-authenticated professional sports memorabilia. Co-publisher of All-American Publications and founder of EC Comics, Max Gaines was the
O