One auction may have cemented Superman’s status as the most influential hero of all time by selling the smallest sliver of his humble origins for a surprisingly large sum. Fans recently bid on a tiny piece of the cover of Action Comics #1 that only had its issue number. Despite its miniscule size, the scrap sold for a small fortune in possibly the first auction of its kind.
Action Comics #1 was published in 1938 by National Allied Publications and was an anthology that featured the first appearance of Superman in a story by creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster. Considered one of the first superhero comics, the book was an instant hit selling out its run of 200,000 copies. In the decades since, Superman became a cultural icon, the book has become a holy grail for serious comic collectors, with some paying as high as several million dollars for an original issue.
With few copies of Action Comics #1 remaining, fans are willing to do whatever they can to possess even the tiniest bit of the groundbreaking comic. Certified Guaranty Company recently discussed an auction held on ComicConnect that sold the “No. 1” box from the cover of Action Comics for over seven thousand dollars. CGC noted that copies of the book have been sold in various states over the years, but this may possibly be the first auction of a such a small fragment. Even more curious, the company noted final price for the “No. 1” box was more than most 9.8 graded issues would ever see.
With comics only increasing in popularity in the last several years, it’s not exactly outrageous that fans are willing to spend so much. Collectors have paid millions for the first appearances of Marvel and DC heroes and as the market to possess highly coveted comics becomes more competitive, fans are willing to pay out the nose for anything connected to their most beloved characters.
The truth is, most people won’t ever be able to afford owning a full copy of Action Comics #1, even with a lower CGC rating. However, pieces are much more attainable and less expensive than their pristine-graded brethren. Fans who desire to own a piece of Clark Kent's history have a much more realistic chance by trying to procure fragments rather than the whole thing. The CGC even noted that the seventh page for Action Comics #1 was also auctioned and also brought in several thousand dollars. A full issue may be out of the question, but a snippet or page can be just as valuable a relic to the right audience.
Scraps or full issue, the amount of money fans are willing to pay is a testament to the cultural cachet of the Man of Steel. A "No. 1" box may seem worthless, but knowing it helped introduce Superman to the world makes it an important item to his biggest fans.
Source: CGC