A Little Orphan Annie original comic strip from 1924 is scheduled to be sold on Friday, February 22, 2019, in Heritage’s Comics & Comic Art Auction in Dallas. Published in the first month of the strip’s appearance from 94 years ago, this is the oldest brought to market, according to Heritage.

The strip by creator Harold Gray is dated “8-26-24”, appearing in the New York Daily News and the Chicago Tribune. The character has had a run of popularity moving from the comic strip to radio appearances, a Broadway musical, feature films, and licensed products.

Only a small number of Little Orphan Annie original comic strips are in the collecting market because most pieces are in Boston University’s permanent collection. This strip is the 19th daily in the series and features the rarely seen Mrs. Warbucks who was ultimately written out of the series.

“Harold Gray’s Little Orphan Annie quickly became an American classic as it embodied the true spirit of the American experience,” Heritage Comic Art Specialist Weldon Adams said. “This plucky orphan girl, adopted by a benevolent Captain of Industry, would go on to become a big star in radio, books, movies, and possibly most importantly, in marketable licensed product! A true bit of Americana in print form.”