July’s Heritage Auctions Pulp Magazine Showcase Auction, ending on July 6 and 7, brings some of the most sought-after pulps to the market. Let’s take a look at some of the early action, adventure, sci-fi, and horror magazines that will be up for auction.

First Shadow

A GD+ copy of The Shadow #1, published by Street & Smith in April 1931, is the premiere pulp offered in the July Heritage Pulp Auction. A FN- copy previously sold in a May 2021 Heritage auction for $156,000, a likely record for an American magazine. While this is a much lower grade, it will be fascinating to see what the final price will be.

This is a rare pulp that isn’t up for auction very often. Additionally, the July auction includes more than 200 issues of The Shadow.

First Doc Savage

The Man of Bronze is also heavily represented in the auction. A VG copy of Doc Savage #1, published by Street & Smith in March 1938, is up for bidding. The previous sale of a VG/FN copy in the same May 2021 Heritage auction was for $33,600, setting a high bar for this issue.

The auction also includes more than 200 issues of Doc Savage.

First Spider

Long before Spider-Man, there was The Spider, a well-known pulp published by Popular. A GD/VG copy of The Spider #1 from October 1933 is included in the auction, as are dozens of subsequent issues. A VG/FN copy of The Spider #1 last sold in the January 14 Heritage auction for $3,840.

Although not as in demand as The Shadow or Doc Savage, The Spider is well-regarded by pulp collectors. The first issue has slowly but steadily been rising in value, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the final price when the hammer drops.

Big Little Books

The July auction also includes a number of Big Little Books featuring pulp action heroes like Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, the Green Hornet, the Phantom, and the Shadow. Publication dates for the Big Little Books offered in the auction range from 1934 to 1947.

The Big Little Books were early competitors to comic books and often contain stories that feature pulp and comic book heroes. If you collect pulps or comics, it’s worth considering Big Little Books that star your favorites for your collection.

Other First Pulps

A number of other first appearances of pulp heroes are up for bid in the July auction. These include a VG/FN copy of The Avenger #1, published by Street & Smith in September 1939, a VG copy of Captain Satan #1, published by Popular in March 1938, and a VG copy of Operator #5 #1, published by Popular in April 1934.

Do you collect pulp magazines? What are your favorites? Let us know below.

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.