If you are a comic book fan like my husband, you may be drooling as you read this blog. Starting today, fans, at least those with a lot of money, will be able to start bidding on an unrestored copy of the “Superman and Friends” No. 1 comic book.
(This image is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1963 with a copyright notice, and its copyright was not renewed.)
There are about 100 existing copies of the comic that was first released in June 1938 for 10 cents. However, most of them have been restored, but on a scale of 10, this one is listed as a “6” and said to be in “fine condition.” True fans will be excited to get a glimpse of this gem without any restoration.
The comic book was purchased by an unidentified owner in a secondhand book store around 1950 for 35 cents. The owner put the book away and forgot about it until 1966, when he realized what he had and has been holding onto it every since.
I doubt he will be disappointed on the return he will see for his 35 cent investment. One collector already tried to work out an under the table deal with Comic Connect, the online company handling the auction. The deal was that he would trade his Ferrari, estimated at $375,000 for the No. 1 issue.
While that may sound crazy, it isn’t. Experts expect the comic to go for around $400,000. No minimum price has been set and even though the economy is poor right now, that doesn’t appear to be a problem for a comic this valuable.
What makes this comic so desirable is that it essentially introduced superheroes to the public. After this No. 1 issue introduced Superman to the public, they wanted more, which helped spawn Batman, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and countless others. The issue is also a throwback to a time that seems long forgotten, the Great Depression. The comic contains ads that offer a wig for $1.25, the classic whoopee cushion, and a Bible the size of a postage stamp.
I just checked the auction site. The comic went on sale at noon EST today. There have been 36 bids so far and the current price is $200,200. There are still 14 days left in the auction.