DALLAS, TX.- Heritage Auctions' Nov. 30 Weekly Internet Comics Auction set a new record for the highest-grossing auction of its kind after reaching $256,743 in total sales. The auction was completely sold out as 874 lots of vintage comic books, original comic art, animation art, magazines and related memorabilia changed hands.
"The introduction of live bidding has taken our Sunday Internet Comics Auctions to a new level," said Barry Sandoval, Director of Operations for Comics and Comic Art at Heritage. "The live component has made each lot even more competitive, which is great for sellers. The format also lets bidders manage their budgets better. And as always, we offer 'live proxy' online bids for anyone who doesn't have the time or inclination to follow the session live."
Weekly Internet Comics Auctions have sold more than $7.33 million in vintage comics and comic art in 2014, already surpassing the $6.98 million sold in 2013. They are presented only online and do not accommodate mail or faxed bids. Many of the comic books offered are certified and encapsulated and all lots are photographed.
The top lot from the Nov. 30 auction was a piece of original illustration art from USA For Beginners by Ronald Searle, the late British artist and satirical cartoonist. The illustration titled "Up the Airy Mountains" and it sold for $5,019 following interest from five bidders. The auction also featured original art by Jaime Hernandez, from Love and Rockets #30; George Tuska and Mike Esposito (as Joe Gaudioso) from Iron Man #23; and Jim Lee, as original art for Strong Guy/Shatterstar from the 1992 X-Men Trading Cards Series I sold for $1,195.
The auction's most valuable comic book lot was a copy of X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1963), CGC VG 4.0, which held the attention of 10 bidders who pushed the final price to $2,629. A copy of Fantastic Four #5 (Marvel, 1962), CGC FN- 5.5, ended at $2,390 following interest from eight bidders.
Among the gems bidders have discovered in previous Weekly Comics Actions include 24 copies of Amazing Fantasy #15 sold in 2014, one of which sold in May for $10,755.