ComicLink saw a record sale in their recently completed Summer Featured Auction when Blue Bolt #105 CGC 9.8 sold for $37,500. Published in 1950 by Star Publications, the comic features a classic science fiction cover by Golden Age cover artist L.B. Cole.
“The work of L.B. Cole has long had a following among collectors, but as the hobby continues to evolve, there is an ever-increasing demand for the work of this true master cover artist. Cole had a unique background among Golden Age artists – a doctorate of Anatomy & Physiology and experience as an art director in the lithography industry prior to joining the comic book industry-– both of which provided him with the unique skill set he applied to incredible effect,” ComicLink’s founder and President Josh Nathanson said.
“He’s best known for his bold covers, featuring what the artist referred to as ‘poster colors’ – the use of primary colors often over black backgrounds. Cole was a prolific cover artist who is estimated to have drawn over 1,000 comic book covers in the 1940s and 1950s. His work adorned everything from funny animals and romance to crime, jungle, and horror. However, his favorite subject matter was science fiction and his most famous science fiction cover is Blue Bolt #105,” Nathanson said.
“This pristine Near Mint/Mint CGC 9.8 is the single highest graded example for Blue Bolt #105 and the only Near Mint/Mint 9.8 in the entire 19-issue Star Publications Blue Bolt run,” Nathanson added. “It is fortunate that the single 9.8 example in the run happened to be for one of the most well-regarded covers Cole ever drew. The odds of another 9.8 of this particular book surfacing at this point are very low, which clearly inspired some intense bidding for this beauty!”
The Blue Bolt #105 result was one of many record results within the ComicLink Featured Auction. The firm is now gathering last minute consignments for the upcoming September Focused Auction, the October Focused Auction, the Fall Featured Auction beginning in November, and other upcoming auctions. Interested sellers can contact ComicLink at buysell@comiclink.com or (617) 517-0062 (option 1) to speak with Josh Nathanson, Douglas Gillock, Jason Crosby, Jon Signorelli, or Ross Kearney. Upfront cash advances are available upon request.