YORK, PA.- An old proverb says the early bird catches the worm, but at Hake’s July 29-30 auction of exceptional pop culture memorabilia, a Star Wars “Early Bird” store display was, itself, the most highly-prized catch, claiming a new world-record price of $112,100. The sale’s diverse 1,562-lot selection nimbly crossed hundreds of today’s most sought-after collectibles categories, from original comic art and action figures to sports and political memorabilia, ultimately closing at $2.5 million. While robust prices were recorded throughout the two-day event, there was no denying that The Force was operating at warp speed, as two extremely rare 1978 Kenner Star Wars productions broke away from the pack and confidently rewrote the record books.



The big winner of the day was a 1978 Star Wars Early Bird Special Early Bird Certificate Package store display. Graded AFA 70 EX+, the structure was designed to hold stiff illustrated cardboard envelopes, each containing a sealed, limited-time kit for mail-ordering the first set of four Star Wars action figures (Double-Telescoping Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and R2-D2). While the original Star Wars figure line had not yet been released when these kits were marketed, the ability for children to send off in advance for action figures of the main characters only heightened interest in the sci-fi juggernaut to follow, and would change movie merchandising forever. The display consigned to Hake’s was the only example of its type ever to come to auction in any grade. Entered with an open estimate, it attracted 20 bids before settling at $112,100 – a world-record auction price for any store display representing any action figure line.



The sale also featured one of the actual kits from Kenner’s 1978 Star Wars Early Bird mail-away offer, intact and AFA-graded 90 NM+/MINT. Secured in a vacuform plastic tray, with a sealed baggie containing the four action figures mentioned previously, the kit also came with additional plastic pegs for posing the figures, a mini-catalog advertising the Star Wars Action Figure line (including vehicles), and a mail-away offer for an Early Bird Premium Collector stand. Only two examples of this kit in an AFA 90 grade have been documented, per the current AFA Population Report, with none graded higher. Representing the highest-graded example ever to appear in a Hake’s auction, this kit drew 16 bids before selling for $45,430, a new world record for a kit of its type.



Original comic art continued its streak of popularity in the marketplace as Brian Bolland’s original pen-and-ink cover art from an early run (Issue 197) of 2000 AD featuring Judge Dredd bolted into the auction’s top 10. The cover for this issue, which was released by Fleetway Publications on January 31, 1981, features an electrifying image of Judge Dredd being blown from his Lawmaster motorcycle as an atomic bomb explodes. Signed by Bolland in red felt-tip pen, this artwork was especially desirable to collectors because not all issues of 2000 AD depict the lead character, nor were they all created by Bolland, the British artist most closely associated with Dredd. The action-packed art sold above high estimate for $51,920.



Another popular entry was the original cover art for DC’s Detective Comics #522 (Jan. 1983), with art by longtime Batman artist Jim Aparo (1932-2005) and inks by Anthony Tollin. The scene depicts Batman facing off against a menacing Snowman in blizzard-like conditions on a precarious cliff. The artboard displayed DC publishing indicia and title stats as well as the promo stat “He's Back! The Sinister Snowman!” and a stat for the issue’s Green Arrow backup story. In VF/EX condition, it surpassed its high estimate to land at $20,190.



Highlighting the comic book section was a CGC 3.0 example of DC’s Wonder Woman No. 1, published in Summer 1942. It retells the Wonder Woman origin story and features the first appearance of the Amazonian demigoddess’ main foe, Ares. Written by William Moulton Marston with HG Peter cover and interior art, this key Golden Age comic was the first issue in which Wonder Woman appeared in her own title book. It reached the upper end of its estimate range, lassoing a winning bid of $29,205.



In any venue and in any form, when the immortal Hall of Famer Babe Ruth steps up to the plate, excitement is sure to follow, and the July 29-30 auction was no exception. A 1929 R316 Kashin Publications Babe Ruth card, graded PSA 2 (MK) with a PSA/DNA 7 autograph grade, was signed by the Bambino – possibly at a game – in 1932, while he was still playing pro ball. No estimate was assigned to this extremely rare card due to the nonexistence of comparables from past auctions. Opening at $10,000, it sailed over the fence with a final bid of $47,259.



Yet another base-clearing baseball lot was a 1970 Topps Baseball Series 4 wax box containing 24 unopened wax packs of cards. Some of the players represented included Tony Perez, Gil Hodges, Jim Bunning, Boog Powell, Bill Mazeroski and Jim Palmer, with All-Star cards for Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Pete Rose, Reggie Jackson and more. Authenticated by BBCE, the coveted box of vintage cards sold within estimate for $40,238.

It’s not just baseball-themed gum cards that attract big bucks at auction. Hake’s offered a 1933 World Wide Gum Co., “Sea Raiders” US-issue card set that easily tripled its high estimate. The complete set of 24 cards, each CGC-graded, also retained its colorful outer wrapper. Each card exhibited choice color art on its obverse and text relating to the illustration on verso. Pirates depicted on the cards included Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Jean Lafitte, and more. Marked to indicate US manufacture, this was a “copyright set” which was produced for submission to the US Patent Office before the proposed production cards could be sold by American retailers. Against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000, the rare set commanded an astounding $68,964.

The auction included some of the most sought-after toys of the 1980s, including a factory-sealed 1987 Hasbro Transformers Series 4 Headmaster Decepticon Base Scorponok, AFA-graded 80 NM. This toy was designed with the capability to transform from a giant scorpion to a robot to a defense base and back. The auction example was a first release with error text on the back, and at the time of cataloging, only three others of its type were graded higher, according to the current AFA Population Report. Hake’s Scorponok sold at the high end of its estimate range for $18,971.



In the same league of popularity, a Mattel 1983 Masters of the Universe Battle For Eternia Series 2 window-box gift set was one of only two toys of its type to have been AFA-graded, both assigned an AFA 60Y grade, with none graded higher. Including 5.5-inch-tall figures of Man-E-Faces and Skeletor, their weapons, and a 9.5-inch-long Panthor mount, this set remains one of the rarest and most desirable vintage Masters Of The Universe boxed pieces. Hake’s sale marked the first time an original-release version of this set had ever appeared at auction. Offered with an open estimate, it sold for a hefty $17,523.



Both Superman and premium-ring collectors zeroed in on very rare 1940 “Supermen of America – Member” ring in high-grade condition. It was one of 2,000 contest prizes (most prizes were not Superman-related) awarded to Supermen of America club members who won an essay contest on the subject of “What I Would Do If I Had The Powers Of Supermen.” A red and “gold” bas-relief depiction of Superman decorates the head of the ring, which was described by Hake’s as “one of around two dozen known examples.” It sold for $18,756 against an estimate of $5,000-$10,000.



A rare 1960 red, white and blue “Kennedy Is The Remedy” portrait-style campaign button (Ref Goldberg JFK-50) led the extensive array of high-quality political items. Reportedly one of a small number handed out at a Philadelphia rally in late October 1960, in the last days preceding the presidential election, the 4-inch-diameter button presented in Excellent condition. It also came with prestigious provenance, having been owned in the past by legendary JFK memorabilia collector John Hillhouse. It sold at the upper end of its estimate range for $8,826.

To discuss consigning antique or vintage pop culture memorabilia items to a future Hake’s auction, call +1 866-404-9800 or +1 717-434-1600; or email hakes@hakes.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Visit Hake’s online at https://hakes.com/.