Bruneau & Co., The Andy Yanchus Collection Part II
January 1, 2023
63 4th Ave., Cranston, RI
www.BruneauandCo.com
info@BruneauandCo.com
401-533-9980

CRANSTON, R.I. — Part two of the Andy Yanchus collection — 564 lots of rare and vintage comics and comic art gathered over the course of a lifetime by the hobbyist — will come up for bid on New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, beginning at noon Eastern time, by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, online and live in the Bruneau & Co. gallery.

Part one of the collection, which consisted of plastic models, diecast toys, American models and vintage toys from the 1960s through the 1990s, was sold on September 17, also by Bruneau & Co. A series of further auctions will also be conducted throughout the year, featuring more of Yanchus’s models, toys and more. Part two will be Bruneau & Co.’s largest comic auction to date.

Yanchus was born and raised in Brooklyn and amassed his collection in his lifelong home. His passion for collecting goes back to early childhood and his love for building and displaying models led him to attend the Pratt School of Industrial Design in New York and to go on to have a 10-year career with Aurora Plastics. While at Aurora, he rose to the level of project manager.

Yanchus then became a staff colorist with Marvel Comics, a job he held for 17 years. He worked on Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men, Alpha Flight and G.I. Joe, among other titles. He also worked alongside Marvel’s Dave Cockrum (1943-2006) and the two men became lifelong friends. Cockrum co-created the new X-Men characters Nightcrawler, Storm, Colossus and Mystique.

“Many of the books in the part two sale are the highest graded examples available. We couldn’t be prouder,” said Travis Landry, Bruneau & Co.’s director of Pop culture and an auctioneer. “It also includes a large selection of Andy’s original artwork from when he worked at Marvel. His friendship with Dave Cockrum produced an unreleased Ms Marvel cover they did together.”

Also offered will be Cockrum’s original ink and watercolor box art for Aurora Plastics and the Metaluna Mutant model from the 1955 film This Island Earth. Cockrum brought the mutant to life on the 20-by-14-inch paper circa 1974 with an ominous red background. It’s signed “Cockrum.” The Metaluna Mutant has gained cult status over the years ($7/10,000).

Marvel Comics Tales to Astonish #90 (April 1967), graded CGC 9.8, has the first appearance of the Abomination and the first Silver Age appearance of Byrrah ($10/15,000). The comic is one of eight known and, per the CGC census, none are graded higher than 9.8. It sat unbagged in Yanchus’s collection for more than 55 years.

A copy of Gold Key Green Hornet #1 (February 1967), graded CGC 9.8, based on the Green Hornet ABC television series and featuring a Bruce Lee and Van Williams photo cover, should realize $5/8,000. The book is one of two in the CGC census graded 9.8, with none graded higher.

A copy of Marvel Comics Marvel Premiere #28 (February 1976), graded CGC 9.8, features the first appearance of the Legion of Monsters ($3/5,000).

A copy of Marvel Comics Marvel Spotlight #5 (August 1972), graded CGC 9.0, features the origin and first appearance of Ghost Rider and the first appearance of Roxanne Simpson ($3/5,000).

The original cover color guide to the unreleased Marvel Comics Black Panther #16 (July 1979), the stat paper page of cover artwork by Rich Buckler and Bob McLeod and hand-colored by Andy Yanchus with color codes and due date handwritten on verso, should finish at $1/2,000. Jack Kirby’s Black Panther series ran to issue 15; this book was written but unpublished.

An original 1980 birthday card drawing by Cockrum for Yanchus’s 36th birthday, decorated with the Blackhawk team and Chop Chop holding a birthday cake has an estimate of $1/2,000. The drawing is signed “Cockrum 80” and annotated, “Best Wishes from Dave and Paty”

A copy of Marvel Comics Rawhide Kid #52 (June 1966), graded CGC 9.8, featuring a story, cover and art by Larry Lieber, is expected to change hands for $1/1,500. Also up for bid will be a copy of Marvel Comics Silver Surfer #3, graded well at 9.6

Bruneau & Co.’s gallery is at 63 Fourth Avenue. For information, 401-533-9980 or www.bruneauandco.com.

Preview day of auction from 10 am to 12 pm