Date: Fri 27-Feb-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: AMYD

Quick Words:

oinonen

Full Text:

Campy Comics At Oinonen Auction

By Rita Easton

Sunderland, Mass. -- "It wasn't the largest crowd we ever had, but it was an

excellent crowd," said Richard Oinonen of the January 20 sale at Oinonen Book

Auctions. "Everyone who came, came to buy. It was all the right people."

The two-part sale featured 152 lots of "golden age" comics from the collection

of a Mr Richardson of Sheldon Falls, and 206 lots of children's books, with

the total of the two groups garnering a gross of approximately $77,000.

All comics offered were pre-code, including horror, romance, and science

fiction. The children's books session also featured original art in addition

to the books from the McLoughlin Brothers archives (1890-1940). Oinonen noted

that the majority of buyers were dealers.

A table of approximately 500 miscellaneous comic books reached $3,500, the top

bid of the event.

Bringing the highest bid of the auction for a single piece, the first issue of

Green Lantern, printed in 1941 and priced at ten cents, in poor condition,

sold at $1,900.

"It would have sold for more," Oinonen said, "but the condition held it down."

A Detective Comics issue, Human Torch Battles the Sub Mariner, fetched $500;

Wonder Woman and the Invasion from Saturn brought $600; and an issue of

World's Best Comics brought $700.

In the children's books segment, a Culmer Barnes edition of Two Little

Pilgrims , with a collection of 24 original pen and ink drawings, reached

$1,200, the name of the book being possibly Just A Taste , although Oinonen

was unsure.

The Little Lulu and the Organ Grinder Man with 12 pen and ink drawings sold at

$2,100, and a McKean edition of Little Red Riding Hood Magic Fairy Tale

Series, with original art of drawings on a single board, went out at $625. A

group of three McLoughlin Brothers catalogues was purchased at $350; a Batman

comic book with the distinction of containing the first printed reference to

Cat Woman, brought a bid of $400 from a dealer; a comic book containing the

first detailed origin of Batman brought $375; Sir Batman and Robin in King

Arthur's Court reached $425; and a group of 15 McLoughlin Brother's books

reached $350, while groups of ten went out at $180 to $250.

A Hitler, Tojo, Moussolini cover garnered $100; while Opium Smugglers of

Venus, featuring Rod Hathaway , a Space Detective #1, sold at $150.

Prices quoted do not include a required 10 percent premium.