Hake’s Auctions – Auction #234 Online Now!
Closes March 15th – 16th, 2022
P.O. Box 12001 York, PA 17402
Hakes.com
866.404.9800
hakes@hakes.com

YORK, PENN. — “There are pieces in this auction that may never appear for public sale again in some bidders’ lifetimes,” said Alex Winter, president of Hake’s Auctions, about his firm’s March 15-16 auction. “They’re items that are either unique in the dictionary sense of the word or so rare that they would likely become the prized jewel of a collection and remain there. A perfect example is the auction opener, a political button of a type that has not been seen in the open marketplace for 40 years.”

Winter refers to a James M Cox/Franklin D. Roosevelt jugate campaign button from the US presidential election of 1920 ($100/200,000). It is one of only six known in 1¼-inch size and one of only three known in this design. Of the six, three are held in the Cox family collection and two others are locked deeply into an East Coast collection. The example offered by Hake’s will surely attract “intense bidding interest,” Winter said. “In the field of political button collecting, it is in the same rarefied league as a Honus Wagner T206 baseball card or Action Comics #1, which features the first appearance of Superman.”

Also earning its place on the list of “unicorn” collectibles is a Kenner Star Wars Boba Fett Version 2 J-slot rocket-firing prototype action figure made in 1979 ($100/200,000). AFA-graded 50 VG, it is archivally encapsulated with a Collectible Investment Brokerage (CIB) COA. Winter said, “It’s the pinnacle of all Boba Fett prototypes — the one all collectors want. The only other J-Slot prototype we have offered — an AFA 85+ NM+ example — sold in our November 2019 sale for $185,850. Since then, demand and value has steadily continued to rise.”

Many other Star Wars rarities — the majority coming from a single collection — will step into the spotlight. Among them is a rare, early version of Kenner’s 1979 Star Wars “bell hanger” store display, so named because of its bell-outline shape. It depicts the manufacturer’s first 12 Star Wars action figures as well as their eight new releases, and a bold yellow cartouche touting a mail-in offer for a free Boba Fett figure. Its advertising message encourages consumers to “Collect All 21 Action Figures!” AFA-graded 80+ NM (archival case), the hanger is estimated at $10/20,000. Another rare entry is a Canadian-issue Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back three-pack containing 3¾-inch action figures of Stormtrooper (Hoth Battle Gear/Snowtrooper), AT-AT Driver and Cloud Car Pilot from Kenner’s 1981 series. AFA-graded 75 QY EX+/NM (archival case) ($10/20,000). “Even the most advanced collections don’t have this piece,” Winter noted.
The sale offers a 1982 Hasbro GI Joe: A Real American Hero action figure of Commando Snake Eyes (straight arm). It is AFA-graded 85 NM+ (archival case) and encapsulated in a Series 1/9 Back blister card ($10/20,000).
Original comic art includes several pieces of investment-grade art secured by Hake’s. The original art for Page 11 of Super Heroes Secret Wars #8, published by Marvel in December 1984, reflects the collaboration of Mike Zeck (art) and John Beatty (inks) and consists of seven panels, including one in which Hulk smashes through a wall to confront The Enchantress ($20/35,000).
Hulk is also the central figure in the original pen and ink cover art for Incredible Hulk #283 comic book, published by Marvel in May 1983. The talent behind this action-packed image is the duo of Ed Hannigan (art) and Al Milgrom (inks). Other Avengers shown in the scene include Wasp, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye, Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau) and She-Hulk. With penciled notations and a Marvel copyright ink stamp on verso, this ink board comes to auction with a $10/20,000 estimate.

There is no way to overstate the importance of a circa 1922 Romeo Y Julieta Cigars baseball card depicting future Cuban and National Baseball Hall of Famer Jose “Black Diamond” Mendez. It is making its first-ever appearance at auction and likely represents the only card depicting a National Baseball Hall of Famer ever to surface from this incredibly rare card series. “This is a one-of-a-kind card for a player who would have been right up there with Babe Ruth and Cy Young, had he played in the major leagues,” said Winter. “It took ten years for Hake’s to get this card authenticated and graded, and it’s 100 percent legit.” Authenticated and encapsulated by CSG, with a designation that it comes from the Richard Merkin collection, it has a $20/35,000 estimate.

Something special leads the selection of music posters — a rare and colorful Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two poster advertising a 1960 concert at the Palace Pier in Toronto, Canada. The opening act is shown as Bill Munroe (sic) and the Blue Grass Boys, with M.C. Johnny Western ($2/5,000).
For additional information, www.hakes.com, 866-404-9800 (toll-free) or 717-434-1600.

Political Rarities Galore
Rare 1.25”
Only Known
Eagles Signed Test Pressing
Comic Book Original Art
Factory Sealed Aurora Model Kits
J-Slot Prototype Boba Fett
Buck Rogers Collection