Hakes wrapped up the calendar auction schedule with a $2.4 million sale that traversed the pop-culture panorama, from 19th-century political memorabilia to modern-era toys and original comic book art. The Nov. 14 and 15 sale defied a collectibles market that had leveled after a prolonged upward run, knocking down excellent prices in an increasingly competitive landscape. With all that is going on in the world, and prices on many collectibles coming down from the dramatic increases of the past two years, none of that had much of an effect on this auction. Countless record prices were paid across the many different categories of collectibles we handle. The sale was a real testament to how strong the hobby can be when collectors are offered the best-of-the-best and the rarest-of-the-rare. Weve concluded the year at $9.6 million, which nearly matches the corresponding figures for 2021 and 2022, respectively, said Alex Winter, Hakes president. The online-only auction opened with a historically important memento, a Washington Cathedral program book from March 31, 1968, inscribed and signed by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the final days of his life. It was at that service that Dr. King delivered his last Sunday sermon, and according to Hakes research, no other MLK autograph previously seen at public auction was signed at a later point in Dr. Kings life. The book made its auction debut at Hakes accompanied by a JSA LOA and a letter from the consignor detailing the circumstances by which he obtained the autograph. It sold for $28,556. Another fresh-to-the-market find was a 1953 Our Sports magazine subscription-incentive card bearing the image of Hall of Famer and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson in his Brooklyn Dodgers uniform. Collectors would have immediately recognized it as the same photo seen on the colorized 1953 Topps card #1 from a now-classic set. The only known example of its type, the card was part of a small archive of related ephemera and CGC-graded 2.5 Good+. It sold for $14,277 against an estimate of $5,000-$10,000. If any single category blew the roof off the sale, it was the early superhero gum cards. Anyone who was unaware of the demand for non-sports-themed collector cards got a quick lesson in their value during the day two session. A 1936 Strange True Stories gum card set produced by Wolverine included 24 cards, each of which has been individually PSA-graded, from NM 7 to PR 1. The most intriguing entry was a Bat Man card, which pre-dated the debut of DC Comics superhero Batman (Detective Comics #27) by three years. Whether or not there was a connection between the two iterations is not known, but significantly, the gum card set was complete and the only one of its type that Hakes had presented to bidders in 56 years of being in business. With provenance from the John Grossman collection, it sold for $64,906 against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000. Next to make a five-figure statement was a single 1940 Gum Inc. Superman #1 gum card from the manufacturers set of 72 cards. It was PSA-graded 6 EX-MINT. According to the PSA census, 125 #1 cards have been graded, and only seven have received a higher grade than the auction example, which realized $23,600. A big surprise was in store when a 1970 Topps test set of 55 cards based on the country music/comedy TV show Hee Haw crossed the auction block. Each card depicts regulars from the cast along with the types of short, corny jokes that made the show so popular. The card set as a whole was PSA-graded 6.25, making it the #2 complete set in their census. Formerly in the Roxanne Toser collection, it swept past its $5,000-$10,000 estimate to settle at $22,066, an auction world record for such a set. Explaining the phenomenal results achieved by the non-sports card sets, Winter said, Our bidders are students of the market. When they identify an opportunity that may never come their way again, they dont hold back. Another major highlight was the only known example of a Captain Marvel silkscreened linen play cape, copyright 1948. Graded Fine/VF, the cape faithfully reproduces the design that Fawcetts Worlds Mightiest Mortal wore in comic book appearances. With provenance from the legendary Harry Matetsky collection, it made its auction debut in superhero fashion, reaching $28,556 against an estimate of $5,000-$10,000. The price set an auction world record for any piece of Captain Marvel merchandise. A selection of original comic book cover art was led by John Byrnes original pen-and-ink cover art for Action Comics #588 (DC Comics, May 1987). Depicting Superman in space alongside Hawkman and Hawkwoman, the art was signed and inscribed by Byrne. It sold just above high estimate for $35,695. Those mighty reptiles, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, triumphed over the comic book section with a CGC 9.2 NM issue #1. Not only was it an original first printing of the comic book that introduced the instantly popular Turtles, its cover was also signed with an added Turtle-head sketch by co-creator Kevin Eastman. A key Copper Age comic with an estimated print run of only 3,000, the book sold at the upper end of its estimate range for $31,152. Hakes is known internationally as the sweet spot for Star Wars toys and collectible marketing materials. The company holds many auction world records for prototypes, carded action figures, and Star Wars related memorabilia. The top prize in their November sale Star Wars selection was a 1978 early bird mailer kit containing Kenner figures of a double-telescoping Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and R2-D2. Additionally, the kit included a Kenner mini catalog, foot pegs for a cardboard display stage, and an offer-paper for mail-ordering an action stand. AFA-graded 85 NM+, the early bird kit landed at $25,571 against an estimate of $5,000-$10,000. This is the year that Transformers caught fire in the marketplace. Previously unheard-of prices have become the norm, thanks to strong five-figure sales achieved at Hakes earlier 2023 events. On day two, the trend continued. One noteworthy example was a 1985 Hasbro Series 2 Jetfire display box containing an Autobot Air Guardian Jetfire with the rare Trademark logo. AFA-graded 90 NM+/Mint in an archival case, it sold within estimate for $17,276. All prices quoted in this report are inclusive of buyers premium as stated in Hakes Terms & Conditions (www.hakes.com). To learn more, call Hakes at 866-404-9800 (toll-free) or 717-434-1600. All images courtesy of Hakes Auctions.