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

YORK, Pennsylvania — Throughout 2020 and the first quarter of this year, pop culture memorabilia collectors have made it clear that even a global pandemic can’t stop them from enjoying their favorite pastime. Via the internet, they were able to acquire one-of-a-kind investment-grade pieces by participating in Hake’s $2.9 million collectibles auction in February, which broke several house records and captured world record prices. in several categories. This trend continues to gain momentum now that Hake’s has announced exciting highlights from its June 29-30 online auction.

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

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

The promissory note serves as Washington’s pledge to buy four slaves, including William Lee, a young African American who became Washington’s trusted personal valet. A Mount Vernon financial ledger states that the transaction 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, 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 throughout 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 on Washington’s side, Lee became something of a celebrity among the soldiers. He was almost certainly the most famous African American of his time.

It is constantly noted in the Washington newspapers that William Lee was seen as more than a valet. When Washington died, his will stated 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 provided a salary of $30 a year, stating, “This I give to him as a token of my sense of his attachment to me, and for his faithful services during the Revolutionary War.”

“The fact that an enslaved man could rise to such high ranks distinguishes William Lee as one of the great unsung heroes of the American Revolutionary period,” said Scott Mussell, Americana specialist at Hake’s Auctions. The George Washington signed framed promissory note comes with letters of authenticity from Hake and JSA, and has an opening bid of $10,000.

Some of the best original comic art to ever come through Hake’s doors will be on offer during the two-day sale. A leading entry is Charles Schulz’s Sunday Page Art for July 3, 1955 Peanuts Comic. Featuring early depictions of Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy, this rare and coveted piece of art is in overall good condition and carries an estimate of $75,000-$100,000.

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

For decades, Superman fans wishing for a marriage between the Man of Steel and his longtime girlfriend, Lois Lane, were led down the aisle but never to the altar. This changed in December 1996 with the release of Superman: The Wedding Album #1. Hake’s is proud to offer John Byrne’s original cover art for this issue, which was obtained shortly after its creation and is fresh on the market 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 comics section offers more than its fair share of coveted titles. x-men #1, 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-$35,000. Another great number one, the 1984 debut of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is rated CGC 9.2 Near Mint and includes the first appearance of not only the Turtles, but also Splinter and Shredder. A first draw, it is estimated between $20,000 and $35,000.

Nothing is hotter in today’s auction market than vintage Pokémon cards, especially in proof format. Hake’s will make history on June 30 when it introduces the first uncut Pokémon proof sheet to ever cross the auction block. Since 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 hit an auction day record. Estimate: $100,000 to $200,000.

Breaking one action figure record after another in recent years, Hake’s will unveil another eye-catching prototype of Kenner’s 1979 Star Wars toy line. A prototype encapsulated Boba Fett L-slot action figure, AFA 85 NM+, will be passed down to its lucky new owner with a COA DIC. A winning bid in the range of $100,000 to $200,000 is expected. An almost new framed and uncut 1982 GI Joe Series 1/9 Back (first version) print from Bill Byers’ pre-production GI Joe collection is estimated between $10,000 and $20,000.

Collectors of early baseball memorabilia have uncovered some of the hobby’s greatest relics at sales hosted by Hake’s. Wait till they see what awaits them later this month. First, there’s the only known presentation photograph of the 1932 Pittsburgh Crawfords, taken during the team’s second year in the National Negro 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 did their best to acquire one of two almost apocryphal rookie-era Babe Ruth buttons from the Paul Muchinsky collection at previous Hake sales will get a third and final chance on June 29. A marvelous Babe Ruth/Boston Red Sox 1915 American League Champions button measuring 2 ¼ inches in diameter, one of only two in existence, will come up to the auction plate with an open estimate. The two knobs previously sold by Hake’s—each of a different design—sold for $62,980, a world record price for a knob of any type; and $52,367, the second highest price ever paid for a button. In a “last dance, last chance” landscape, everyone can guess how far the bidding will go for the last of the Muchinsky-Ruth rookie trio.

Hake’s auction from June 29-30, 2021 is now open for bidding. For a free print catalog or additional information on any item for sale, call 866-404-9800 (toll free) or 717-434-1600. Email hakes@hakes.com. Online: https://hakes.com/