Booming Pop-Culture Memorabilia Market Powers $2.5M Hake’s Sale
An abundance of record-setting and estimate-defying prices attest to growing demand for superhero toys of the 1960s and elusive figures from the Star Wars galaxy.
YORK, Pa. – Hake’s highlight-packed March 19-20 auction of pop-culture rarities closed the books at $2.5 million and sent a resounding signal about the strength of the current market for high-grade, market-fresh memorabilia. The abundance of record-setting and estimate-defying prices attested to the growing demand for superhero toys of the 1960s and elusive figures from the Star Wars galaxy.
Like-new model kits with provenance from the renowned Janusey Brothers collection ran the table, commanding prices that were nothing short of astonishing. A boxed and factory-sealed Aurora model kit duo consisting of a 1963 NPP Inc. Superman (second version) kit No. 462-100 and 1966 Marvel Comics Group Spider-Man kit No. 477-100 topped the two-day event. Sixty years ago, the kits would have retailed for $1 apiece, but combined in a promotional package for WT Grant variety stores, they were factory-labeled with the pennywise price of $1.58. The superhero combo teamed up to achieve $54,516 against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$5,000.
A “monstrous” price was paid for another boxed and unused Aurora model kit with Janusey Brothers provenance. Copyrighted in 1966, “Godzilla’s Go Kart” was produced in low numbers and distributed to a mere handful of stores near Aurora’s Long Island (NY) headquarters, making it a very rare item from the get-go. The auction entry – the only boxed example Hake’s has handled in its 57 years of operation – raced across the finish line to a world-record $36,344 against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.
Star Wars fans were in the fight for a 1984 Palitoy Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Tri-Logo 70 Back-B blister card containing a 3.75-inch action figure of General Madine. One of the rarest of all production Star Wars figures, its packaging includes text in four languages: English, Spanish, French and Italian. AFA-graded 60 Y-Ex and the first of its type to be offered by Hake’s in any condition, it sold for record-setting $42,242 against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.
There was also intense interest in a 1978 Kenner Star Wars early bird mail-away kit, the trailblazing mini-collection that marked the beginning of action-figure production for the storied franchise. The kit includes a sealed baggie containing figures of R2-D2, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker with a Double-Telescoping Saber. AFA-graded 85 NM+, it clinched a world-record price of $25,960.
In addition to action figures, Hake’s sale featured coveted pre-production one-offs, such as Kenner’s mock-up concept proof card for the 1982 Star Wars: Revenge Of The Jedi (later renamed Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi) toyline. It is a completely unique piece that was made by repurposing an Empire Strikes Back Bespin Security Guard 45 back blister card and adding a completely hand-done mixed-media design and logo. Accompanied by a CIB LOA, it sold above its high estimate for $22,066.
From the Disney empire came an extremely rare 1979 Mego Series 2 The Black Hole blister card with a 3.5-inch action figure of “Humanoid.” Made in Hong Kong, the toy was shipped exclusively to Canadian and Italian retailers. The auction example was exported to Canada, hence its bilingual card with text in English and French. AFA-graded 80 Y-NM, and of a type never before offered by Hake’s, either carded or loose, it sold for $11,033 against an estimate of $2,000-$5,000.
Another highflier was the 1986 AFA NM Mattel Masters of the Universe Eternia Series 5 playset, the highest-graded of all known examples of this particular playset. With imaginative art by William George, the set includes three themed towers and three different battery-operated vehicles that run on its monorail system. It easily surpassed its high estimate to settle at $23,273.
For a complete list of auction results, click HERE.
