Hake’s Auction – Collectibles Online Auction #240
Closes March 19-20
www.hakes.com
P.O. Box 12001 York, PA 17402
866-404-9800 hakes@hakes.com
ALWAYS ACCEPTING QUALITY CONSIGNMENTS

YORK, PENN. — Turning the pages of Hake’s newly released March 19-20 auction catalog will be a Christmas-morning experience for pop culture collectors. Repeatedly, the detailed descriptions include such phrases as “highest graded,” “only known example” or “fresh to the hobby.” Such commentary and accolades aren’t confined to just one category, either. They’re woven throughout the varied 1,928-lot selection, from original comic-book art to a Dave Grohl handwritten Nirvana set list to sole survivors of the baseball and trading-card realm. Here are highlights of the auction journey Hake’s has in store for fans in the firm’s first major event of 2024.

In the poster-collecting world, R-rated posters rule, especially those promoting horror films like Wes Craven’s 1984 slasher classic A Nightmare on Elm Street. While posters from the “Nightmare” franchise are in constant demand, their rarity pales in comparison to that of the original 1983 prerelease art that launched the famous Elm Street imagery. That particular commissioned artwork, which was created by Duncan Eagleson, has never been offered for public sale — until now. It is the centerpiece of Hake’s March auction and comes with impeccable provenance, as it is consigned by the artist himself.

Eagleson’s airbrushed acrylic painting is a tranquil depiction of a suburban neighborhood at dusk, with one significant difference. Ominously positioned overhead is a huge triple-bladed metal claw that has violently ripped through the sky, a portent of what was to come. Eagleson sized the artwork to suit a 27-inch-by-40-inch poster, but it did not go on to be used as the final US movie poster — Matt Peak created that particular artwork, which features four, not three, blades. Eagleson’s art appeared in a prerelease newspaper ad campaign and on posters issued in Europe. To his surprise, it was featured on the 20th anniversary (2004) release of the film. His original artwork, signed and dated ’83, is the seminal visual for what would become a long-running film franchise ($20/35,000).

Trading cards have been unstoppable at auction, and the trend is expected to continue when collectors discover a sealed booster box from Wizards Of The Coast’s 1994 Magic: The Gathering Legends edition. The trove contains 36 packs, each with 15 cards, or 540 cards in total. This lot represents the third expansion set for Magic: The Gathering and is the first to include playing cards with multiple colors ($20/35,000).

Another “big wow” in the sale is a complete 1959 Fleer The Three Stooges master set of 99 collector cards, each one CGC graded, and the set graded 5.53 overall. The cards feature full-color photo fronts with images from various Stooges shorts. Additionally, cards #1, #2 and #3 feature portraits of Curly, Larry and Moe; and both the standard and highly sought-after “checklist” version of cards #16, #63 and #64 are included. The original wax wrapper adds the finishing touch to this amazing set, which was formerly part of the John Grossman collection. ($10/20,000).

Those in search of a sports unicorn will find it in a 1910 Baltimore News-issued baseball card depicting Baltimore Orioles manager Jack Dunn. It is the only example of its type known to Hake’s experts. “In fact, the set itself is so rare, it’s possible that only one card representing each of the team’s players has survived,” said Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Auctions. The card is CGC-graded 1 Poor ($10/20,000).

From Aurora’s golden age of model kits comes a top prize: a boxed and unused kit for “Godzilla’s Go Kart.” The zany box art for this kit, copyrighted 1966, depicts the Japanese mega-monster charging downhill on a go kart whose license plate reads “People Beware.” Due to its small original production run and very limited distribution, the Godzilla kit is beyond rare. In fact, it is the only boxed example Hake’s has handled in 57 years of operation. From the Janusey Brothers collection, it is estimated at $10/20,000.

Batman is the subject of two lots. An example of DC Comics’ Batman #181 (June 1966) comic book features the first appearance of Poison Ivy (Pamela Lillian Isley). It is CGC-graded 9.4 NM, with only 11 other certified copies having a higher grade. The book features cover art by Carmine Infantino/Murphy Anderson; and a storyline by Robert Kanigher/Gardner Fox ($20/35,000).

The sale includes a “Star Wars: Revenge Of The Jedi” (1982) mock-up concept proof card for a Kenner toyline later renamed “Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi.” Made by repurposing an Empire Strikes Back Bespin Security Guard 45 back blister card and adding a completely hand-done logo and mixed-media design, it is AFA-graded NG (No Grade) because it is a unique piece. Accompanied by a CIB LOA, it is estimated at $10/20,000.

Estimated even higher, at $20/35,000, is an uncirculated Kenner Star Wars early bird kit that is AFA-graded 85 NM. Alex Winter explained: “The Star Wars movie came out in 1977, but Kenner couldn’t get the toys done in time for Christmas of that year, so parents could give their children a Kenner mail-in certificate promising they would receive an early bird kit as soon as the figures were ready. The kit contained figures of a first-version Luke Skywalker with Double-Telescoping Saber, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and R2-D2.” The kit offered by Hakes is complete with plastic pegs for posing figures, a mini catalog and a plain cardboard stand. It is sealed and boxed but has no mailing label, indicating it was never shipped.

For information, 866-404-9800 (toll-free), 717-434-1600 or www.hakes.com.