Just as we’ve all seen a 50 cent comic book from bygone days sell for millions, 2021 saw a spectacular parade of genre props, art, costumes, and literature achieve monumental prices at Heritage Auctions. Titles that might have been dismissed in the past as merely whimsical, sensational, or light fiction, reared up their mythical dragon heads, rose from the grave, and launched into space (where no fan has gone before), to make a decisive claw print on the world of collecting. Vintage and contemporary Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror faire were a most definite sweet spot last year – and the trend doesn’t appear to be subsiding in 2022. Here are just a few highlights of the fireworks at Heritage last year:
A One-of-a-kind William Shatner Phaser Rifle from his debut appearance as “Capt. James Kirk” In Star Trek: The Original Series Second Pilot “Where No Man Has Gone Before” (Paramount TV, 1966-1969) sold for $615,000 in our Nov. Hollywood & Entertainment Signature Auction featuring the John Azarian Collection.
Original Boris Karloff as “The Ghoul” Cover Art for Famous Monsters of Filmland #110 by Basil Gogos (1974) realized a hefty $84,375 while the Monsters & Friends: Featuring The Kevin Burns Collection auction made over $1,000,000 including a Complete Vintage Set of (20) Aurora Monster Model Kits and Accessories in Original Boxes and Shrink Wrap (1962-1965) that brought a whopping $48,750!
J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. [London]: Bloomsbury, [1997]. The First edition in hardcover summoned a magical $471,000 in a bidding war as fierce as any wizard’s duel. This book achieved the world record for the highest price paid for any Harry Potter book as well as the record for the most expensive commercially published 20th Century work of fiction ever sold!
If this new year bears any resemblance to the last, we’re in for a lot more fun and fulfillment for both buyers and sellers. We already have plans to top last year’s offerings with countless items that tick all the desired boxes, many which have never been to market before. It’s been almost as much fun handling these gems as it must be owning them! Well, almost. Next up, our February 22nd Star Trek Auction! Here’s your chance to beam up some iconic costumes, props and artwork from the legendary original series, and more!
Happy Bidding!
Joe Moe
Joe: Fun stuff as always. Man, I’m jealous of that Phaser Rifle that buried Gary Lockwood. I’m sharing your blog with a collector pal.
Eric!
My jealousy for that rifle is tempered just a little by having gotten to handle it and gawk at it right up until it went to its worthy owner. One of the perks of this job is knowing these treasures are going to people who will preserve them forever! We’ll be delivering much more covetous jealousy in 2022!!
Joe Moe has described it perfectly – Heritage Auctions provides a great outlet for treasures – highly valued memorabilia of eras we long to remember and re-live. I have been buyer and seller, and with HA it is always a fun roller coaster ride for fulfilling dreams and Collector aspirations.
Paul, you are the best kind of Entertainment memorabilia buyer OR seller. You come from the industry that produces the treasures we love and love the treasures the industry produces. Plus, you always have the coolest, off-beat, one-of-a-kind material! More, please!
Damn! What I wouldn’t give to get my Aurora models back! Oh, to have limitless disposable income!
I did get to sit in the Captain’s chair once at a ST exhibit in the costume institute at the Met! I had to climb over some punkass kids to do it, but I was determined.