AMAZING FANTASY #15 SELLS FOR $227,000

[MattBrady]

Press Release

In a ComicLink Auction that closed on October 19th, a 1962 Amazing Fantasy #15 comic book (the comic book that introduced Spider-Man to the world) broke records when it sold for $227,000. It is the highest price a comic book from the 1960’s (the Silver Age of comics) has ever sold for in a public auction. The issue, which features art by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, had the second-highest CGC certified grade in existence -- 9.4 or Near Mint condition – a grade so rare for this issue, that it is considered to be the Holy Grail among many collectors. The comic was also from the noted White Mountain pedigree collection. CGC, which stands for Certified Guaranty Company, is the first independent, impartial, expert third party grading service in comics.

Following Spider-Man’s debut in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962, the character was given his own comic book title The Amazing Spider-Man in March of 1963. Since his creation Spider-Man has gone on to become one of Marvel Comics most popular characters and commercially successful in countless comic books, cartoons, feature length films, toys and related merchandise.

It is the second baby boomer comic to break the $200,000 barrier, with the first coming on the heels of ComicLink’s June auction sale of another copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 which was CGC certified 9.4 for $210,000. The two examples represent two of the seven best known existing for the issue. The copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 CGC certified 9.4 is the second highest copy in existence.

The May release of Spider-Man 3 may have contributed to the spiked interest and high prices realized for the Spider-Man comics in the prior ComicLink auction. “Making smart purchases and great timing on the sales led to an excellent return in a short period of time for this seller,” said ComicLink President Josh Nathanson. “Within the vintage comic book market, we frequently see surges in demand for comic book containing characters featured in movies. Fortunately for buyers (who will someday also become sellers), it looks as though there is no end in sight to the superhero movie franchise”.

On the heels of the Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer movie, the Fantastic Four #1 comic book CGC certified 8.5 sold for $52,000 in the same ComicLink auction, which was also a record price for the issue in 8.5 or very fine+ condition. Some of the earliest and highest-rated Batman comics from 1940 to 1941 are schedule to hit auction in July, 2008, similarly timed to coincide with the release of the next Batman sequel.

About ComicLink
ComicLink is a full-service exchange, brokerage and auction house for investment quality vintage comic books and original comic art, specializing in comic books and original comic art from the 1930s through 1970s. For more information visit: www.comiclink.com

For image, visit: http://www.comiclink.com/auctions/it...69 &id=715469

[Drcharles]

Pretty amazing Price for, '' just a comicbook '', who would have thought it?
I have a copy of this bk, and mine is in excellent condition, The only difference is, I have '' Marvel Tales '' above the title.......
But seriously, Im amazed at the price of some of these bks, Im current getting silver-age bks of Aquaman & Hawkman from E-Bay, and Im going as low as poss, and Im finding some terrific bargins, I don't really mind if the bk is in tatty/Poor condition, I always 'Iron' the comics anyway, and 'flatten' them out under a pile of weights and that always seems to work nicely, but its wonderful to see that some bks are in near mint conditon, with such a high CGC rating.......
Theres always hope for any of us in finding something like this. isn't there ?

[eriqui]

Holy Grail is an understatement. Too bad Im not Bill Gates or I wouldve been all over that book. Im still happy with my amz spidey #1 tho!

[Kevinjt4]

Originally Posted by eriqui

Holy Grail is an understatement. Too bad Im not Bill Gates or I wouldve been all over that book. Im still happy with my amz spidey #1 tho!

As am I... Though mine was graded 5.0 by CGC...

[aliciabb]

wow it really jumped in 15 years

[Fletcher]

talking about some people having more dollars than cents.

Go put it in an air tight mylar and lock it away from the light of day....

I'll just stick with my little reprint that cost me 10 bones and came in a book with more issues behind it thank you very much

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

talking about some people having more dollars than cents.

Go put it in an air tight mylar and lock it away from the light of day....

I'll just stick with my little reprint that cost me 10 bones and came in a book with more issues behind it thank you very much

and, in ten years, you can probably sell yours for maybe $2 to a used book store, where this will more than likely go for a quarter of a million dollars or more, because it's an investment, not a book to read. I'd call a return like that pretty sensible. Portfolios are supposed to be diverse.

MattB