Rare vintage comics and other pop culture treasures do well in Bruneau & Co’s May 21 auction.

CRANSTON, RI – A copy of Timely Comics Marvel Mystery Comics #9 from July 1940 sold for $40,000, and three other vintage comic books topped the $10,000 mark at a May 21 spring comic book, toy and sports auction held by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, online and live in the Cranston Gallery. A 1970s/80s Wayland Flowers ‘Madame’ puppet also made the top ten.

The Timely Comics copy Marvel Mystery Comics #9 was the auction’s top expected lot, as it was #33 on Overstreet’s list of Top 100 Golden Age Comics. The book featured the second cover of Sub-Mariner, featuring an iconic battle between Human Torch and Sub-Mariner, along with stunning illustrations by Bill Everett and Alex Schomburg. It had an intermediate level rating of CGC 4.0.

A copy of Marvel Comics Fantastic Four #1 (November 1961), rated CGC 2.0, featuring the origin and first appearance of the Fantastic Four and Mole Man, finished at $18,750. “While this may not be the most expensive comic at the auction,” the Fantastic Four #1 was a great result and a new record for the rating,” said Travis Landry, Bruneau & Co. auctioneer and director of pop culture for the company. “I’m sure its value will only increase over time.”

Mr. Landry added: “Overall it was a great sale with great results. Comics, as always, proved to be the strongest category of the day.

A copy of Marvel Comics Amazing Spider-Man #1 (March 1963), rated CGC 1.8, featuring the first appearance of J. Jonah Jameson and Chameleon, the first Fantastic Four crossover, plus an origin story of Spider-Man, grossed $10,938. Also, a copy of Marvel Comics X-Men #1 (September 1963), resuming the origin and first appearance of the CGC 5.0-rated X-Men and Magneto, with minor restoration, changes hands for $10,625.

The “Madame” puppet was made popular by Wayland Flowers (American, 1939-1988) in his comedy number and hit 1980s TV show At Miss’s. It featured a hand-painted composite head with an articulated mouth and an elaborate dazzling dress with rhinestone earrings and necklace. He was recently featured on an episode of PBS’ Antiques Tour and was accompanied by a VHS of Mr. Flowers using the puppet. It cost $7,812.

“Unfortunately, I was absent from the gallery on the day of the auction,” said Kevin Bruneau, president of Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers and auctioneer. “I was with Joël Bohy (director at Bruneau & Co. of the recently created Arms and Militaria Department), working on a local evaluation event for the benefit of the elderly. However, looking at the auction results, I know it was a great day for the Pop Culture department and the gallery as a whole. I eagerly await the next one. »

Here are more highlights from the auction, which contained 430 lots, selected from across the country. Internet auctions were facilitated by the LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and bidLIVE.Bruneauandco.com platforms, as well as the “Bruneau & Co” mobile application. on iTunes or Google Play. All prices quoted in this report include the buyer’s premium.

A copy of Volume 1 #1 of Playboy magazine (December 1953), featuring Marilyn Monroe’s iconic nude color photo as “Sweetheart of the Month”, published by HMH Publishing Company, rated CGC 6.5, cost $6,250. Also, a collection of Playboy magazines, starting with Vol. 1 issue 2 (January 1954) and going through volume 8 issue 8 (August 1961), in conditions ranging from about CGC 4.0 to 7.0, reached $6,000.

A 1978 Kenner Star Wars 20B Boba Fett figure, part of an original owner’s collection featured throughout the auction, rated CAS 75, hammered for $4,625.

Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers always accept quality submissions for future auctions, with commissions as low as zero percent. This would be the perfect time to clean out your attic. To contact Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers regarding the consignment of a single piece or an entire collection, you can email info@bruneauandco.com. Or, you can call them at 401-533-9980.

To learn more about Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers and the firm’s calendar of upcoming events, please visit www.bruneauandco.com. Updates are released frequently.

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