Hake’s Americana & Collectibles Auction #223 officially closed on March 15, 2018, reaching a new house record with sales totaling $2.3 million. In addition to a new record auction total, Hake’s also saw several comic books beat their preauction estimates, GPA averages, and in some cases set new GPA records.  

Setting a new GPA record was a Captain America Comics #3 CGC 7.0. Featuring Stan Lee’s first work for Timely Comics, this issue ended at $55,048.

“Hake’s saw several record prices in our most recent auction, with many examples exceeding prices in the Overstreet Price Guide, GPA and/or Hake’s auction estimates. One sale of particular note was a CGC 7.0 copy of Journey Into Mystery #83, which sold for $19,742, over $5,000 more than the GPA average over the past year,” Hake’s President Alex Winter said.

That Journey into Mystery #83 CGC 7.0 set a new GPA record when it surpassed the previous $14,329 to realize $19,742. This issue includes the origin and first appearance of Marvel’s God of Thunder, the Mighty Thor.

Another exceptional result came from a Batman #121 CGC 8.0, featuring the origin and first appearance of Mr. Zero later known as Mr. Freeze. This issue blew past Hake’s $5,000 estimate to reach $15,705.

One such comic book was a Donald Duck #NN CGC 6.0 from 1938. The very first Donald Duck comic book as well as the very first Walt Disney comic book, sold for $8,437. Not only did this pass Hake’s preauction estimate but it also surpassed the previous GPA average of $3,383 for the slightly higher grade of 6.5.

Rocketing past the previous GPA average of $900 for the half-point lower grade was a World’s Finest #3 CGC 4.5 featuring the origin and first appearance of the Scarecrow. This issue, which realized $4,326, includes the last Johnny Thunder in title and the start of the Sandman.

A Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Comics #3 CGC 9.2 also passed the estimate to realize $3,504. Along with art by George Storm, this issue includes a cover featuring Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny.

A Sub-Mariner Comics #26 CGC 9.0 also set a GPA record when it realized $3,455.

Surpassing Hake’s preauction estimate was a Suzie Comics #51 CGC 8.5. With art by Ed Goggin and a cover by Al Fagaly, this issue ended at $4,326 setting a new GPA record and first sale at grade.

A Detective Comics #24 CGC 3.0 from 1939 also passed both the preauction estimate and the previous GPA average to bring in $3,374. Part of a recently discovered Golden Age comic book collection, this issue features a cover by Fred Guardineer.

Another remarkable result came from a Marvel Tales #130 CGC 9.0, which soared past the preauction estimate. Including art by Vic Carrabotta, Paul Hodge, John Forte and Mort Lawrence, this set a first sale at grade and GPA record of $4,182.

All prices realized include an 18% buyer’s premium.