Mad #1 CGC Universal 9.0
E.C.'s Mad Magazine was the first satire comic that would become one of the best in the genre. Mad, during its initial production, would parody anything and everything, including other comic books, celebrities, politics, and other world events. Mad would "end" with issue #550 before DC would "relaunch" the title, but newer Mad issues are largely just reprints of past stories and issues. Mad is not as relevant as it was even 20 years ago, but remains an important part of pop culture and comic book history.
This CGC blue label 9.0 features Off-White to White pages and presents extremely well. CGC has only graded 579 copies of this magazine, with 7 examples receiving a 9.0 grade. The current fair market value for a magazine in this grade is $11,000, with prices trending up.
Comic Magazine Store Display Rack
If you're a fan of old comics, chances are you also yearn to own a comic book display rack of your own. These have become unique and desirable collectibles, with some selling for over $600. Spinner racks are the most well-known, but comics can - and have - been displayed in many other ways! This collapsible wire rack is from the 1950s and advertises comic magazines for .6 cents, or 3 for .15 cents. Per Hake's, this rack is in overall Very Good condition with aging and general wear and can fit Silver Age comics.
A similar example sold for $240 after 16 bids in May 2023 on eBay, though Hake's does value this for up to $700. As I said before, these are highly collectible, and if you find one, grab it.
WrestleMania 1 Poster Signed by Mr. T
This original poster promoting the very first WrestleMania no doubt sparks some kind of nostalgic feeling for wrestling fans. WWE's long-standing showcase of the immortals has brought together celebrities, wrestlers, and fans under one roof. The very first Mania in March of 1985 was a game-changer for wrestling as a whole, and while the event wasn't terribly exciting, it still remains an important piece of pop culture history.
This airbrushed poster is peak 1980s, with both Hulk Hogan and Mr. T front and center. The poster is signed by Mr. T on his gold chains and comes with a letter of authentication. Hakes notes that this poster is in overall Very Good condition, but has some clear wear. This poster will still present extremely well, and is perfect for any wrestling or pop culture collection!
Limited Edition Life-size Yoda Blockbuster Marquee Statue
In store promotional items can be very valuable and collectible -- especially Star Wars items. This 34" Yoda marquee statue is an exact replica of the iconic puppet from the series. This statue was made for Blockbuster in 2000 to promote the release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Hakes notes that Yoda is in Very Fine condition with some soiling and dust.
These statues don't come up to auction very often -- one recently sold on eBay for a Best Offer against $600 in May 2023, but there's little sales data I can find prior to that.
