Hakes $2.3 million auction held online Nov. 18 and 19 fired the final salvo for the 2025 Premier Series in a year of spectacular sales that, to date, have earned $12.5 million for the York, Pa., pop-culture powerhouse. A September 1963 issue of Marvels X-Men #1 comic book, CGC-graded 9.2 NM-, shot to the top of prices realized at the series season closer, attracting 13 bids before ending its uphill run at $131,334. Within the Marvel pantheon, X-Men #1 is considered especially significant because it contains the origin story and first appearance of the X-Men, Professor X, Cyclops, Iceman, Angel Beast and Marvel Girl, as well as the villainous Magneto. The now-classic debut issue of X-Men was the product of a dynamic collaboration that paired Stan Lees brilliant storyline with Jack Kirbys inimitable cover and interior art. Hakes Auctions president, Alex Winter, observed that condition played a big role in attracting such a robust price. The book we auctioned was a beautiful example of a key Silver Age comic, with very strong colors. It would be difficult to improve upon its condition, and that point would have been foremost in the minds of any bidder competing at that level. Described in Hakes catalog as the undisputed crown jewel of political campaign buttons, a Cox and Roosevelt 1920 jugate button, 7/8 inches in diameter, was well preserved and still had its backing paper identifying Whitehead & Hoag Co., Newark, N.J., as its manufacturer. Graded NM, and possibly a salesmans sample, it was without question one of the finest of few known examples of its type. Hakes Americana director Scott Mussell likened it to the political memorabilia hobbys equivalent to Action Comics #1 or a Honus Wagner T206 baseball card. Formerly in the Roger Richert collection, it sold well above its high estimate for $50,740, a world-record price for this particular type of button in the 7/8-inch size. Created by Kenner in 1984 for photography purposes, a Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1985) Luke Skywalker (Imperial Stormtrooper outfit) first shot/photo sample action figure offered collectors the complete package. It was encapsulated, archivally cased, and AFA-graded 75 EX+/NM Display. The figure depicted Skywalker with light brown hair with a prototype rubber Stormtrooper helmet. It is the only AFA-graded example, according to the current AFA Population Report and was conveyed to its new owner with a Collectible Investment Brokerage (CIB) LOA and a photo print of the figure signed and numbered by Kenner photographer Kim Simmons. It captured a world-record price of $33,748. An important ca. 1847 Mormon plate was bordered with a fancy double-garland border and portraits of brothers Hyrum and Joseph Smith above the Temple of Nauvoo (Illinois). The decorative dark-brown transfer was likely based on an 1847 print published in London by Moses Martin. The coveted historical memento was formerly owned by antiques dealer Rex Stark. Considered a significant material-culture artifact of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it sold for $20,768, a record price for any Mormon ceramic. Every Hakes auction can be counted on to include original comic book art by creators whose names speak for themselves. The November selection featured Luis Dominguezs (1923-2020) original pen-and-ink art for the cover of Ghosts #82, published by DC Comics in November 1979. Dominguez perfected his spooky style in the 1970s while working on Bronze Age horror comics. It sold above its high estimate for $12,136. One of the most desirable of all Hasbro Transformers toys, a 1984 Series 1 Optimus Prime (Autobot Commander), AFA-graded 85 NM+, was offered in its original window box with intact tape seals at left and right and no color breaks. As of auction day, only two examples of this toy had ever been graded higher, per the AFA Population Report. It realized $15,340. Also from Hasbro, a Transformers (1985) Series 2 Shockwave (Decepticon Operations) was graded AFA 80 NM and housed in its original box. It boldly made its presence known to kids of 40 years ago by illuminating and emitting sounds as it transformed from a laser gun to a robot and back. It reached a final price of $11,450. A ca. 1948-49 silver gelatin publicity photo of Hall of Famer Satchel Paige in his Cleveland Indians uniform bore a fountain-pen inscription on verso that read Best Wishes From Satchel Paige To My Best Friend Orestes Minoso, referring to fellow Hall of Famer Minnie Minoso, who played for the Indians in 1948-49 and was the first African American pitcher in the American League. Accompanied by a JSA LOA the picture unleashed its star power to slam in a winning bid of $7,211. All prices quoted in this report are inclusive of 18 percent buyers premium. All images are courtesy of Hakes Auctions. To learn more, email hakes@hakes.com or visit www.hakes@hakes.com.