On the week of March 13-17, 2017, Hake’s Americana & Collectibles closed Auction #220, once again passing the $1 million mark. The auction, which comprised 2,500 items in over 200 collecting categories closed to the tune of $1,061,373.

Among the many highlights in the auction were several lots that far exceeded the pre-auction expectations.

The Gilbert Nuclear Physics No. U-238 Atomic Energy Lab boxed 1952 set closed at $8,696 over the $2,000 to $5,000 estimate. The infamous lab was intended to allow children to create and watch chemical reactions using radioactive material.

Adventures of Superman rare syndication promotional kit brought a stunning $4,283 over the $400 to $700 estimate. The plastic spiral bound promo kit features a full body comic image of Superman on the cover and includes publicity stills, text on Superman’s history, cast info, plot synopsis and more. It came from the Franco Toscanini Collection.

Mickey Mouse Book No. 1 high grade example soared beyond the $1,000 to $2,000 estimate to sell for $4,283. The softcover book published in 1931 features reprints of Floyd Gottfredson’s Mickey Mouse daily strips.

“For 50 years Hake’s has proven time and again why we are America’s first and foremost pop culture auction house. We take great pride in how we present and market the items we offer in our auctions,” Hake’s President Alex Winter said. “It is that attention to detail that resonates with our bidders. They know they are getting accurately described items. They appreciate that we seek out the best of the best and the rarest of the rare for them to add to their collections.”

Universal Monsters Wolf Man Standard Plastic Products wall plaque netted $4,130, over the $1,000 to $2,000 estimate. The Vacuform plastic plaque was made in 1963 as part of a set of six plaques featuring Universal Monsters. It was the first time Hake’s offered the piece.

Fawcett Distributor industry trade publication bound 1944 volume surpassed the $200 to $400 estimate, selling for an impressive $3,504. The hardcover industry trade publication was “Published In The Interest Of Independent Magazine Wholesalers And Dealers.”

A Walt Disney Studio Christmas Card for 1942 crushed the $200 to $400 estimate, realizing $3,069. The card depicts a great illustration of a giant Santa Claus tying a ribbon around a bomber as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and Donald Duck salute him. It came from the Tom Tumbusch Collection.

A Gulliver Secret Wars carded Spider-Man action figure closed at $2,950 over the $400 to $700 estimate. Produced by Gulliver in 1986, the 4-1/4” figure is on a vertical format blister card. Spider-Man comes with a silver shield, two flicker inserts, and a plastic base.

A Superman unused metal lunchbox with thermos flew by the $400 to $700 estimate to realize $2,596. The King-Seeley 1967 lunchbox depicts different scenes on the front and back panels featuring Superman fighting a group of villains and rescuing Lois Lane. It came from the John G. Fantucchio Collection.

A Justice League of America – Wonder Woman Game cleared $2,153 over the $400 to $700 estimate. The 1967 game came from a series of three Hasbro games featuring members of the JLA. The box art shows Wonder Woman and JLA members fighting their foes. It came from the John G. Fantucchio Collection.

An Aurora Superman factory sealed boxed model kit (second box) brought $1,752 above the $400 to $700 estimate. Made in 1963, it is the second version box with comic lid art instead of painted art. There are no splits to the cellophane around the kit. It came from the John G. Fantucchio Collection.

A Davy Crockett Rescue Race with Real Compass unused game aimed beyond the $100 to $200 estimate, shooting to $1,168. The 1955 game contains the complete, unused parts for the Gabrielle game from Walt Disney Productions. The gameboard is in Near Mint condition.

A copy of Science Comics #2 CGC 2.0 reached $3,115 over the $400 to $700 estimate. The Fox Features Syndicate comic features a Bert Whitman story, Lou Fine cover, and art by George Tuska and Whitman.

“While we set a reasonable pre-auction estimate on every item, many times it is that rarity and condition X-factor that takes the item above and beyond our expectations. Never has that been more evident than in our latest auction. We saw many world record prices in a range of categories,” Winter added.

All prices include an 18% buyer’s premium. Visit hakes.com to view all prices realized in Auction #220.