Hakes Tuesday and Wednesday, July 29 and 30, online-only auction offers collectors a top-notch mix of pop culture rarities crossing literally hundreds of categories. Highlighted by exceptional pieces from long-held collections of every imaginable type, the 1,562-lot selection, with its variety, makes it possible for everyone to discover and bid on something exciting and special. From original comic art and GI Joe and Star Wars figures to early Disney toys, sports and political memorabilia, the all-inclusive pop culture mix covers all the bases. In the DC comics domain, the big three are Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, but to own a copy of Action Comics #1 or Detective Comics #27, the books in which the Man of Steel and Caped Crusader first appeared, respectively, would be cost-prohibitive for most people. That leaves one of the strongest superheroes of all time: Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman. While she first appeared in All Star Comics #8 in 1941, she earned her own comic book title in summer of 1942. A CGC 3.0 Good/VG example of Wonder Woman No. 1, which retells the origin story of the Amazonian demigoddess and includes the first appearance of her main foe Ares, is a highlight of Hakes sale. Written by William Moulton Marston with art by HG Peter. Its auction estimate is set at $20,000 to $35,000. Several outstanding pieces of original comic book art are likely to land in the top 10. First, theres Brian Bollands signed original pen and ink cover art from an early run of 2000 AD, Issue 197, featuring Judge Dredd. The book was released by Fleetway Publications on Jan. 31, 1981, and its cover features an amazing image of Judge Dredd being blown from his Lawmaster motorcycle as an atomic bomb explodes. It is particularly desirable because not all issues of 2000 AD depict the lead character, nor were they all created by Bolland, the British artist most closely associated with Dredd. To many Americans, this issue would have been their first exposure to the futuristic law enforcer from Mega-City One. The estimate is $35,000 to $50,000. More than a century after he first stepped onto a pro baseball diamond, the immortal Hall of Famer Babe Ruth is still widely regarded as the greatest baseball player who ever lived. In ESPNs 2025 Hall of 100, the Bambino still holds the #1 spot, followed by such legends as Willie Mays and Ted Williams. In their July auction, Hakes includes a collectible from Ruths storied career, a 1929 R316 Kashin Publications baseball card clearly autographed (in 1932) by the home run king himself. The card shows Ruth in his Yankees uniform ready to swing at a pitch. PSA-graded 2 (MK) with a PSA/DNA 7 autograph grade, it has an open estimate and has already surpassed its required starting bid of $10,000. Every Hakes pop culture auction includes stellar political memorabilia. The July event is no exception. One of the rarest pieces in the entire sale is an Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson 1864 National Union Ticket fabric broadside with a 26-star American Flag and the names of 26 electors who represented the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that year. One of only three examples known to Hakes political experts, this important broadside was formerly in the collection of legendary collectors Rex and Patti Stark. The estimate is $10,000 to $20,000. Three consecutive lots comprise the ultimate Kenner Star Wars Early Bird trio. A Kenner 1978 Star Wars Early Bird Special Certificate Package store display, graded AFA 70 EX+, is constructed of thin cardboard similar to the type used for the backdrop of Sears Cantina Adventure Playset. It was designed to hold stiff illustrated cardboard envelopes, each containing a sealed kit available for a limited time to mail-order the first set of four action figures (Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and R2-D2). This is the only example of its type ever to come to auction in any grade. The first and the best, its offered with an open estimate. It is followed in the auction by a 1977 Star Wars Early Bird Certificate Package (est. $10,000 to $20,000) and 1978 Star Wars Early Bird Mail-Way Kit with figures including a Double-Telescoping Luke Skywalker (est. $20,000 to $35,000). All three lots have high grades and are unique in their own way. Sometimes its good to take a break from politics and world news to reflect on carefree childhood memories, especially those connected with a favorite toy. To many boys and girls of the 1980s, it would have been a dream come true to own a Transformers 1986 Series 3 Trypticon (Decepticon Dinosaur/City/Battle Station) with its transforming mini-car Full-Tilt and tank named Brunt. However, not many youngsters got their wish. It was a giant, expensive toy, so if some other kid in the neighborhood had one, thats where everyone would congregate, said Alex Winter, president of Hakes Auctions. Few toys have had the staying power of Trypticon; its hard to beat a dinosaur-robot combination. Hasbro is still producing Trypticons, and the nostalgia for the earliest versions is huge. The set in the auction is an especially rare first-release version that only saw limited production and did not come with a poster, as later versions did. Graded AFA 80 Q-NM, it is one of only four examples of its type to be graded by AFA and the only one in its high grade. The auction marks the first time a set of its exact type will have appeared at auction. Its estimate is $10,000 to $20,000. From the golden era of toy production comes a rare 1930s (Japan) Mickey Mouse and Betty Boop Time Is Gold celluloid wind-up toy, complete with its elusive original cardboard box with pictorial label. The toys design includes a smiling pie-eyed Mickey standing beside a simulated clock with movable hands. The only known example retaining its original box, it is one of the rarest of all Mickey and Betty toys. It carries a $10,000 to $20,000 estimate. Hakes online auction is open for bidding and closes July 29 and 30. For a free printed catalog or additional information on any item in the sale, call 1-866-404-9800 or 717-434-1600. To view the online catalog, visit www.hakes.com. All images courtesy of Hakes Auctions.