Oldest Superman cover design fetches $286,800 at auction

[pratschm]

Through HA:

http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/22/5435164/oldest-superman-cover-design-fetches-286800-at-auction

[Dread_Pirate_Mel]

What was the estimate?

[MoviePosterBid.com]

that cover was found back in the 1970s with other Fred Guardineer art including the Detective #28 cover (does not feature Batman) and others as well as the silver prints from Detective #27 that Heritage sold for some money.

The guy who found them walked around a NY comicon circa 1977/78 or something and showed them to all teh dealers including myself. He wanted some thousands for the lot but that was big money back then and he walked out of the show without selling any of it, though some items were sold after the show directly to collectors.

This piece moved to a small number of collectors before it would up in the collection of my late friend Charlie Crane who passed away 2-3 years ago after falling and hitting his head lightly while playing tennis at 90 or 91. He felt great and went downhill within hours.

Among the other items in his collection, which is mostly still intact with his wife, is the very first Flash Gordon piece 1/7/1934 by Alex Raymond as well as much other great comic strip art and numerous Flashes and other Raymond pieces.

Charlie was a great guy and is missed by his friends

[MoviePosterBid.com]

and Mel, I don't know offhand what the estimate was, but probably something in the area of what it sold for, but it very fairly priced for what it is (Earliest known Superman cover).

Bought by Richard Evans of Bedrock City Comics in Houston, Rich is planning on displaying it in one of the stores

[pratschm]

The article mentions "Its listing was valued at $30,000". Is that different than the estimate you're asking about Mel?

[CSM]

The article mentions "Its listing was valued at $30,000". Is that different than the estimate you're asking about Mel?

I believe what the writer was trying to convery (horribly I might add) is that the actual comic issue is valued at $30,000 in 9.2 condition...

[Charlie]

I believe what the writer was trying to convery (horribly I might add) is that the actual comic issue is valued at $30,000 in 9.2 condition...

That is what I read...

[pratschm]

Yep, I get it now. Needed the HA description to pull it all together. Writer fail. Thanks Chris.

[50s]

9.2 condition... Does that mean there are 100 increments of grading?... Grading system sounds up their asses bollocks to me

[MoviePosterBid.com]

is a measure of 100% with 10.0 being the highest of course, but below 9.0 they only measure .5

so it's
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.2
9.4
9.6
9.8
10.0