Comic-led Hake Auction June 29-30, Pokemon, Star Wars Boba Fett Prototype, Babe Ruth Button

YORK, PA – Throughout 2020 and the first quarter of this year, collectors of pop culture memorabilia have made it clear that even a global pandemic cannot stop them from enjoying their favorite hobby. Via the internet, they were able to acquire unique investment-grade pieces by bidding on Hake’s $ 2.9 million collectibles auction in February, which broke several house records and captured record prices. worldwide in several categories. This trend continues to accelerate now that Hake’s has announced the highlights of its June 29-30 online auction.

Original comics, vintage comics, political memorabilia, Star Wars, GI Joe and other action figures; an uncut Pokemon Leaf from 1999 and treasures from the classic baseball era are just a few of the sizzling categories featured in the current 2,381 lot auction.

In keeping with Hake’s tradition, the sale will open with US historical and presidential material. Lot # 1, a 1767 promissory note hand-signed by George Washington, is arguably one of the most important documents Hake’s has ever processed. He “speaks” of a shameful time in America’s past when even our nation’s noblest Founding Fathers kept slaves.

The promissory note constitutes Washington’s pledge to buy four slaves, including William Lee, a young African American who became Washington’s trusted personal valet. A financial book from Mount Vernon states that the deal was for: “Mulatto Will £ 61.15 / Ditto Frank £ 50 / Negro Boy Adam £ 19 / Jack £ 19. The document is hand-signed in black ink in pen by George Washington and his brother John Augustine Washington, and is addressed to “Mary Lee, Acting Executor of John Lee, Deceased.”

William Lee, or “Will,” as the future president called him, spent two decades alongside Washington – at social events, on surveying expeditions, at the First Continental Congress, and on the battlefield all. throughout the American Revolution, including the 1777. -’78 winter at Valley Forge and the siege of Yorktown. He was also in charge of the security of the most important newspapers in Washington and in charge of top secret information. Due to his constant wartime presence alongside Washington, Lee became a celebrity among the soldiers. He was almost certainly the most famous African American of his time.

It is regularly noted in the Washington newspapers that William Lee was considered more than a servant. When Washington died, his will stipulated that all of his 120 slaves were to be freed upon the death of his wife, Martha – with one exception. He immediately released William Lee and paid him a salary of $ 30 per year, stating, “This I give to him as a testament to my dedication to me and to his faithful service during the War of Independence. “

“The fact that a slave man could reach such high ranks made William Lee one of the great unsung heroes of the American Revolutionary period,” said Scott Mussell, Americana Specialist at Hake’s Auctions. The framed promissory note signed by George Washington is offered with letters of authenticity from Hake and JSA, and has an opening offer of $ 10,000.

Some of the best original comic book designs to ever walk through Hake’s doors will be on offer in the Two Day Sale. A main entry is the art from Charles Schulz’s Sunday page for July 3, 1955 Peanuts Comic. Showcasing the first performances of Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy, this rare and coveted work of art is in good overall condition and carries an estimate of $ 75,000 to $ 100,000.

The original final comic book cover Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Another highlight is # 5 (October 1985) by co-creator Kevin Eastman. The action-packed full-color scene features the four turtles as well as Professor Honeycutt / Fugitoid. Estimate: $ 35,000- $ 50,000

For decades, Superman fans wishing for a marriage between the Man of Steel and his longtime girlfriend Lois Lane have been led down the aisle but never to the altar. That changed in December 1996 with the release of Superman: The Wedding Album # 1. Hake’s are proud to offer the original John Byrne cover for this issue, which was obtained shortly after its premiere and is freshly released after nearly 25 years in the same collection. Complete with ink and pencil annotations added during production, this work is estimated between $ 10,000 and $ 20,000.

The BD section offers more than its fair share of coveted titles. X Men # 1, from September 1963, rated CGC 5.0 VG / Fine, features the X-Men (Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Angel, Beast and Marvel Girl) and Magneto. This major Silver Age Marvel comic could fetch $ 20,000 to $ 35,000. Another great issue # 1, the 1984 debut of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is rated CGC 9.2 Near Mint, and includes the first appearance of not only Turtles, but Splinter and Shredder as well. A first draw, it is estimated between $ 20,000 and $ 35,000.

Nothing is hotter in today’s auction market than old Pokemon cards, especially in proof format. Hake’s will make history on June 30 when it presents the first uncut Pokemon Evidence Sheet to pass through the auction block. As of 1999, the Shadowless Holographic Sheet contains 99 cards, including seven ultra-rare Charizard cards. Owned by a Hasbro employee who received it as a gift in 1999, it could reach all-time high on auction day. Estimate: $ 100,000 to $ 200,000.

Breaking one figure after figure record over the past few years, Hake will unveil yet another alluring prototype from Kenner’s 1979 Star Wars toy line. An encapsulated L-slot Boba Fett prototype action figure, AFA 85 NM +, will be passed to its new owner with a COA CIB. A winning bid in the range of $ 100,000 to $ 200,000 is expected. A near-new 1982 GI Joe Series 1/9 Back (First Version) framed uncut print from the Bill Byers Pre-Production GI Joe Collection is estimated to be between $ 10,000 and $ 20,000.

Collectors of old baseball memorabilia have discovered some of the hobby’s greatest relics in sales held by Hake’s. Wait until they see what’s in store for them later this month. First, there’s the only known surviving presentation photograph of the 1932 Pittsburgh Crawfords, taken during the team’s second year in the Black National League. The immortal lineup in this photo includes Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Oscar Charleston. From the famous Black Ball collection, it is estimated between 20,000 and 35,000 dollars.

Those who have done their best to acquire one of two almost apocryphal rookie-era Babe Ruth buttons from the Paul Muchinsky collection at previous Hake sales will have a third and final chance on June 29. A wonderful Babe Ruth / Boston Red Sox 1915 American League The Champions button measuring 2¼ inches in diameter, one of only two existing, will go up for auction with an open estimate. The two buttons previously sold by Hake’s – each of a different design – sold for $ 62,980, a world record price for a button of any type; and $ 52,367, the second highest price ever paid for a button. In a “last dance, last chance” landscape, no one can guess how far the auction will go for the last of the Muchinsky rookie-Ruth trio.

The Hake auction from June 29 to 30, 2021 is now open for auction. For a free printed catalog or additional information on any item for sale, call 866-404-9800 (toll free) or 717-434-1600. Send an email to hakes@hakes.com. Online: https://hakes.com/