While the country prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Hakes hosted a grand celebration of its own. Premier Auction #246, which closed on March 24 and 25, presented more than 1,400 lots of historical Americana and pop culture collectibles in a sale that totaled $1.9 million. Fittingly, many of the lots featured examples of important political memorabilia. Hakes continues strong into 2026, with bidders turning out in force for both sessions of our March auction, said Hakes general manager Kelly McClain. Each night brought impressive results with spirited bidding that saw several lots set new world record prices. Were going to run with that energy. Is there anything more American than Captain America? The overall top lot of the auction was a copy of Captain America Comics #1 (Timely Comics, March 1941), with a CGC Qualified Grade of 4.0. The key Golden Age comic featured the origin and first appearance of Captain America, his young ally Bucky and their nemesis The Red Skull. The classic WWII cover by Jack Kirby showed Captain America punching Adolf Hitler. Other artists included Joe Simon and Al Liederman, with stories written by Simon, Kirby and Ed Herron. The comic achieved a world record price of $71,554. A blister card containing a 2.25-inch tall Star Wars Jawa action figure of the initial Vinyl Cape variety, made by Kenner in 1978, sold for a world record $55,152. It was graded AFA 95 Mint, the highest grade Hakes had ever offered for the toy. There are only three known examples in an AFA 95 grade, according to the AFA Population Report, with none higher. Hakes sold an AFA 90 Vinyl Cape Jawa in its July 2024 auction for $44,261. The one that just sold was on an unpunched card. A Cox & Roosevelt 1920 Democratic campaign jugate button soared past its $35,000 high estimate to finish at $45,578, a new record price. The 1.875-inch diameter button featured a waving American Flag at the bottom center and a perched eagle at the top. Collectors have a special fondness for jugates, buttons featuring presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Hakes is proud to have sold the most political jugate buttons of any auction house. FDR made another appearance with a Re-Elect Roosevelt 1936 campaign poster, an example of Depression-era art that evoked the WPA murals of that period. The poster was 24 by 34 inches and signed in the print at lower left by artist W Sanger. The selling price of $44,428 was more than double the estimate and a new world auction record for the poster and the artist. The striking graphics included six individuals, each holding a union picket line poster. Hakes believes it may have been one-of-a-kind. A rare Roosevelt T.R. for President real photo portrait button set a world record when it changed hands for $27,584. The 2.25-inch button with a clear, well-centered image of Theodore Teddy Roosevelt was made for the March 1912 Oklahoma Republican Party convention in Guthrie. There were two major factions within the state party, ending with Roosevelt as the victor. A rare Wilson and Marshall U.S. Capitol Dome 1912 jugate button captured a world record at $21,524. The 1.25-inch button was perhaps the most attractive 1912 Wilson jugate featuring the U.S. Capitol and the American Flag in bold colors. It was likely the finest example extant, according to Hakes. A boxing ticket stub from the Feb. 25, 1964, heavyweight championship fight between champion Sonny Liston and challenger Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), graded PSA 5 (EX), bested the $10,000 high estimate by knocking down for $16,170. The ticket stub, showing it was for a $100 ringside seat, was autographed on the back by Clay, a feature that no doubt helped spike its value. The PSA/DNA Population Report indicates the ticket stub is one of only two signed copies and is by far the higher graded of the two. A copy of Amazing Fantasy#15, graded CGC 3.5 and featuring the debut of Spider-Man, as well as the first appearances of Peter Parkers Aunt May and Uncle Ben, breezed to $27,584. It was also Spideys first cover appearance, created by Jack Kirby. For additional information, email hakes@hakes.com or visit www.hakes.com. All images courtesy of Hakes Auctions.