Welcome back to Gem Finds at Comic Connect's Event Auction #57! Comic Connect does a handful of Event Auctions through the year which feature some truly impressive pieces from the collector's universe. In the past, we've seen video game prototypes, rare Golden Age finds, and much more. Let's take a dive and see what treasures we find this time!
1940 Sub-Mariner Trademark Registration
Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, is one of Marvel's oldest heroes. He made his debut in the very first Marvel comic, Marvel Comics #1 in 1939. The comic also introduced The Human Torch -- decades before he was re-imagined for The Fantastic Four! At the time Marvel was under the Timely banner and released several heroes during the Golden Age of comics. The Sub-Mariner was created by Bill Everett and while he was originally a menace to all humans, his attention was quickly turned towards the Nazis as World War II consumed most popular media in the 1940s. The character is still in use today and finally made his live-action theatrical debut in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
This incredible piece of comic book history is from the United States Patent Office stating that Timely Comics owned the trademark for Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner as of April 23, 1940. The patent notes that the name is being used for a comic strip series, and acknowledges that the name has been used since August 31, 1939. While I can't put a price on something like this, it would not surprise me if this ended at over $2,500. To say I'm jealous of whoever wins this piece is an understatement!
Batman #1 Egypt / Arabic Edition
Foreign edition comics present a unique opportunity for many collectors. They can be inexpensive ways of obtaining otherwise hard-to-get books, but they also give us a way to see how pop culture is viewed around the world. This copy of Batman #1 was not released in Egypt until 1983 by Riwayat Al-Jayb, which translates to Pocket Novels in English. The infamous Golden Age cover has been re-imagined, now with a green Batman cape and light green Arabic text. This issue is not a reprint of Batman #1, but instead of Detective Comics #29 and MGM's Lassie #7. Can we now confirm that Lassie is canon to the Batman universe?
This CGC restored label 3.5 has slight to moderate restoration which includes pieces added, and the pages are cream to off-white. I think this is a fantastic comic to own and would be great for any Batman or international comic collection. It wouldn't surprise me if this book sold for over $900 due to how unique it is!
Edicao Extraordinaria Do Correio #241 (Brazil)
Even harder to find than the Batman #1 as shown above, foreign comics from the Golden Age are a real treat when they become available. This copy of Edicao Extraordinaria do Correio Universal features the Phantom's comic strip story arc The Sky Band (Os Piratas do Ceo). This book was published in November 1937 and was printed similarly to a Platinum Age book with its landscape design. Lee Falk's The Phantom is portrayed in a striking red costume on the cover, and he is also known as Fantasma (or simply, ghost). Correio Universal only published two Phantom books, with this 48-page book being the second. Editora Globo would then publish The Phantom from 1937 - 1950.
Comic Connect notes that this book displays very well, and has an estimated value between $750 - $1,000. I certainly hope this book ends on the higher end due to how unique it is. If you're a fan of the ghost who walks and unique comic finds, this is the book for you!
Mutt and Jeff Original Art Bud Fisher 1923
For nearly 80 years Bud Fisher's Mutt and Jeff entertained generations of fans with their comedic shenanigans. By copyrighting his work, Fisher himself would become a millionaire thanks to the duo -- a practice few cartoonists and writers did at the time. The Platinum Age cartoon would become a multimedia darling with stage shows, silent-era shorts, over 200 animated shorts, and toys. Mutt and Jeff may not be as popular today as they were over 100 years ago, but traces of the pair can be found in many of today's pop culture. Growing up my parents regularly referred to my sister and me as Mutt and Jeff, despite neither of us knowing what that was!
This 101-year-old piece of original art was drawn in pencils and ink by Fisher himself. Seldom have I seen original art from 100+ years ago come up for auction. Even more impressive is how great this item looks. Comic Connect notes this is in overall very good condition with wear, and it has been signed by Fisher himself. While I can't put a true value on an item such as this, I would expect this to go for a few hundred dollars.
