YORK, PA.- Hake’s $2.3 million auction held online November 18-19 fired the final salvo for their 2025 Premier Series in a year of spectacular sales that, to date, have earned $12.5 million for the pop-culture powerhouse. A September 1963 issue of Marvel’s X-Men #1 comic book, CGC-graded 9.2 NM-, shot to the top of prices realized at the series’ season closer, attracting 13 bids before ending its uphill run at $131,334.

Within the Marvel pantheon, X-Men #1 is considered especially significant because it contains the origin story and first appearance of the X-Men – Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Angel Beast and Marvel Girl – as well as the villainous Magneto. The now-classic debut issue of X-Men was the product of a dynamic collaboration that paired Stan Lee’s brilliant storyline with Jack Kirby’s inimitable cover and interior art.

Hake’s Auctions’ president, Alex Winter, observed that condition played a big role in attracting such a robust price. “The book we auctioned was a beautiful example of a key Silver Age comic, with very strong colors. It would be difficult to improve upon its condition, and that point would have been foremost in the minds of any bidder competing at that level.”



Described in Hake’s catalog as “the undisputed crown jewel of political campaign buttons,” a Cox and Roosevelt 1920 jugate button, 7/8 inches in diameter, was so beautifully preserved, it still had its backing paper identifying Whitehead & Hoag Co., Newark, N.J., as its manufacturer. Graded NM, and possibly a salesman’s sample, it was without question one of the finest of few known examples of its type. Hake’s Americana Director Scott Mussell likened it to the political memorabilia hobby’s equivalent to Action Comics #1 or a Honus Wagner T206 baseball card. Formerly in the Roger Richert Collection, it sold well above its high estimate for $50,740, a world-record price for this particular type of button in the 7/8-inch size.



Created by Kenner in 1984 for photography purposes, a Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1985) Luke Skywalker (Imperial Stormtrooper outfit) first shot/photo sample action figure offered collectors the complete package. It was encapsulated, archivally cased, and AFA-graded 75 EX+/NM Display. The figure depicted Skywalker with light brown hair with a prototype rubber Stormtrooper helmet. It is the only AFA-graded example, according to the current AFA Population Report, and conveyed to its new owner with a Collectible Investment Brokerage (CIB) LOA and a photo print of the figure signed and numbered by Kenner photographer Kim Simmons. It captured a world-record price of $33,748 against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.



An important circa-1847 Mormon plate was bordered with a fancy double-garland border and portraits of brothers Hyrum and Joseph Smith above the Temple of Nauvoo (Illinois). The decorative dark-brown transfer was likely based on an 1847 print published in London by Moses Martin. The coveted historical memento was formerly owned by renowned antique dealer Rex Stark, who once advertised that in his entire 34-year career he had never seen another example like it. Considered a significant material-culture artifact of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it sold for $20,768, a record price for any Mormon ceramic.

Every Hake’s auction can be counted on to include original comic-book art by creators whose names speak for themselves. The November selection featured Luis Dominguez’s (1923-2020) original pen-and-ink art for the cover of Ghosts #82, published by DC Comics in November 1979. Measuring 11.25 by 17 inches, the artwork was a quintessential example of the spooky style Dominguez perfected in the 1970s while working on Bronze Age horror comics. It sold above its high estimate, for $12,136.

One of the most desirable of all Hasbro Transformers toys, a 1984 Series 1 Optimus Prime (Autobot Commander), AFA-graded 85 NM+, was offered in its original window box with intact tape seals at left and right, and no color breaks. As of auction day, only two examples of this toy had ever been graded higher, per the AFA Population Report. It was bid to $15,340 against an estimate of $5,000-$10,000.

Also from Hasbro, a Transformers (1985) Series 2 Shockwave (Decepticon Operations) was graded AFA 80 NM and housed in its original box. It boldly made its presence known to kids of 40 years ago by illuminating and emitting sounds as it transformed from a laser gun to a robot and back. It reached a final price of $11,450 against an estimate of $5,000-$10,000.

Interest in the superstars of Negro League and pre-WWII Cuban baseball is growing rapidly among collectors of early sports memorabilia. Two outstanding photos with provenance from the famed Richard Merkin collection knocked it out of the park at Hake’s November sale, securing prices that “shut out” their pre-sale estimates.



An original silver gelatin photograph of Pollock’s 1932 Cuban Stars baseball club, a famed lineup that was hailed in its day as being the “Cuban House of David,” was a visual bonanza. It depicted and identified 14 uniformed players including two prominent figures from Black baseball history, Jimmy Claxton and Luis Tiant Sr., and two other important US Negro League stars of the day, Terris McDuffie and Lazaro Salazar. Its handwritten and signed inscription on verso indicated the photo was a gift from Salazar to his mother. The glossy 8 x 10 rounded the bases to slide home at $9,086 against an estimate of $1,000-$2,000.



A circa 1948-49 silver gelatin publicity photo of Hall of Famer Satchel Paige in his Cleveland Indians uniform bore a fountain-pen inscription on verso that read “Best Wishes From Satchel Paige To My Best Friend Orestes Minoso,” referring to fellow Hall of Famer “Minnie” Minoso, who played for the Indians in 1948-49 and was the first African American pitcher in the American League. Accompanied by a JSA LOA and assigned an estimate of $700-$1,000, the historically-important picture unleashed its star power to slam in a winning bid of $7,211.

To discuss consigning a collection or single item to a future Hake’s pop culture memorabilia auction, call +1 866-404-9800 (toll-free) 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/.