DALLAS, TX.- Several lots from the Douglas Schmell PedigreeComics.com Collection were among the top lots at
Heritage Auctions' Comics & Comic Art Auction Nov. 16-18 in Beverly Hills, California. The total value of the 20 lots in the collection soared to $1,414,402, with an average of a final price of $70,720.10 per lot. Six of the lots nearly one-third of the collection brought six-figure returns.
The response to the collection was no surprise. Schmell, the owner of one of best-known high-end comic book auction firms, Pedigree Comics, had enjoyed enormous previous success when he auctioned his personal collection through Heritage a result that repeated itself with the Douglas Schmell PedigreeComics.com Part II collection.
"Doug Schmell is familiar with every selling option in this hobby including, of course, his own firm," Heritage Auctions Comics & Comic Art Director of Operations Barry Sandoval said. "So the fact that he chose us to auction these high-grade issues is something of which we are very proud."
Schmell said that the results he enjoyed when he sold his personal collection through Heritage made his decision to bring the PedigreeComics.com Part II collection to Heritage a logical one.
"I started a new personal collection at that time, and concentrated solely on keys and first appearance issues. When it came time to sell those books in 2017, I again wanted to keep my personal collection separate from those of the consignors I work with at Pedigree Comics. So it was not a difficult choice to go with Heritage Auctions once again."
The top lot from the collection was Journey Into Mystery #83 (Marvel, 1962) CGC NM 9.4 with white pages. Thor's first appearance drew bids from 17 collectors before ultimately hammering at $191,200.
Another lot from the collection that drew numerous bids was a copy of Fantastic Four #1 (Marvel, 1961) CGC VF/NM 9.0, with off-white to white pages, which realized $161,325.
Showcase #4 The Flash (DC, 1956) CGC VF+ 8.5, with white pages, drew bids from 22 bidders until it climbed all the way to $155,350.
Tales of Suspense #39 (Marvel, 1963) CBCS NM+ 9.6, with white pages, was coveted by more than a dozen bidders before finally bringing in $155,350. Arguably the highlight of the auction's Silver Age keys, this copy is one of just three ever offered through Heritage with a grade of 9.6.
Twenty-one bidders drove Showcase #22 Green Lantern (DC, 1959) CGC MN- 9.2, with cream to off-white pages, all the way to a final sale price of $149,375. The result was no surprise, since the book is the highest-graded copy of the origin and first appearance of the Silver Age Green Lantern, Hal Jordan.
Other top lots from the Douglas Schmell PedigreeComics.com Part II collection included, but were not limited to:
· The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM 9.4, with off-white to white pages: $131,450
· The Brave and the Bold #28 Justice League of America (DC, 1960) CGC VF/NM 9.0, with off-white pages: $77,675
· The Avengers #1 (Marvel, 1963) CBCS NM 9.4, with off-white to white pages: $65,725
· Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962) CGC FN+ 6.5, with cream to off-white pages: $54,970
· The Amazing Spider-Man #3 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM+ 9.6, with off-white to white pages: $47,800
The entire auction realized $8.75 million. Heritage's next Comics & Comic Art Auction takes place Feb. 22-23 in Dallas. The consignment deadline is Jan. 9. To learn more, visit at Heritage Auctions' Comics Online Portal.