An old proverb says the early bird catches the worm, but at Hakes July 29 and 30 auction of exceptional pop culture memorabilia, a Star Wars Early Bird store display was, itself, the most highly-prized catch, claiming a new world-record price of $112,100. The sales diverse 1,562-lot selection nimbly crossed hundreds of todays most sought-after collectibles categories, from original comic art and action figures to sports and political memorabilia, ultimately closing at $2.5 million. While robust prices were recorded throughout the two-day event, there was no denying that The Force was operating at warp speed, as two rare 1978 Kenner Star Wars productions broke away from the pack and rewrote the record books. The big winner of the day was a 1978 Star Wars Early Bird Special Early Bird Certificate Package store display. Graded AFA 70 EX+, the structure was designed to hold stiff illustrated cardboard envelopes, each containing a sealed, limited-time kit for mail-ordering the first set of four Star Wars action figures (Double-Telescoping Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca and R2-D2). While the original Star Wars figure line had not yet been released when these kits were marketed, the ability for children to send off in advance for action figures of the main characters only heightened interest in the sci-fi juggernaut to follow and would change movie merchandising forever. The display consigned to Hakes was the only example of its type ever to come to auction in any grade. Entered with an open estimate, it attracted 20 bids before settling at $112,100, a world-record auction price for any store display representing an action figure line. The sale also featured one of the actual kits from Kenners 1978 Star Wars Early Bird mail-away offer, intact and AFA-graded 90 NM+/MINT. Secured in a vacuform plastic tray, with a sealed baggie containing the four action figures mentioned previously, the kit also came with additional plastic pegs for posing the figures, a mini-catalog advertising the Star Wars Action Figure line (including vehicles), and a mail-away offer for an Early Bird Premium Collector stand. Only two examples of this kit in an AFA 90 grade have been documented, per the current AFA Population Report, with none graded higher. Representing the highest-graded example ever to appear in a Hakes auction, this kit drew 16 bids before selling for $45,430, a new world record for a kit of its type. Original comic art continued its streak of popularity in the marketplace as Brian Bollands original pen-and-ink cover art from an early run (Issue 197) of 2000 AD featuring Judge Dredd bolted into the auctions top 10. The cover for this issue, which was released by Fleetway Publications on Jan. 31, 1981, features an electrifying image of Judge Dredd being blown from his Lawmaster motorcycle as an atomic bomb explodes. Signed by Bolland in red felt-tip pen, this artwork was especially desirable to collectors 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. The action-packed art sold above high estimate for $51,920. Highlighting the comic book section was a CGC 3.0 example of DCs Wonder Woman No. 1 published in Summer 1942. It retells the Wonder Woman origin story and features the first appearance of the Amazonian demigoddess main foe, Ares. Written by William Moulton Marston with HG Peter cover and interior art, this key Golden Age comic was the first issue in which Wonder Woman appeared in her own title book. It reached the upper end of its estimate range, lassoing a winning bid of $29,205. In any venue and in any form, when the immortal Hall of Famer Babe Ruth steps up to the plate, excitement is sure to follow. A 1929 R316 Kashin Publications Babe Ruth card, graded PSA 2 (MK) with a PSA/DNA 7 autograph grade, was signed by the Bambino, possibly at a game, in 1932, while he was still playing pro ball. No estimate was assigned to this rare card due to the nonexistence of comparables from past auctions. Opening at $10,000, it sailed over the fence selling for $47,259. Yet another base-clearing baseball lot was a 1970 Topps Baseball Series 4 wax box containing 24 unopened wax packs of cards. Some of the players represented included Tony Perez, Gil Hodges, Jim Bunning, Boog Powell, Bill Mazeroski and Jim Palmer, with All-Star cards for Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Pete Rose, Reggie Jackson and more. Authenticated by BBCE, the coveted box of vintage cards sold within estimate for $40,238. Its not just baseball-themed gum cards that attract big bucks at auction. Hakes offered a 1933 World Wide Gum Co., Sea Raiders U.S. issue card set that easily tripled its high estimate. The complete set of 24 cards, each CGC-graded, also retained its colorful outer wrapper. Each card exhibited choice color art on its obverse and text relating to the illustration on verso. Pirates depicted on the cards included Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Jean Lafitte, and more. Marked to indicate U.S. manufacture, this was a copyright set which was produced for submission to the U.S. Patent Office before the proposed production cards could be sold by American retailers. Against an estimate of $10,000 to$20,000, the rare set commanded an astounding $68,964. Both Superman and premium-ring collectors zeroed in on a very rare 1940 Supermen of America - Member ring in high-grade condition. It was one of 2,000 contest prizes (most prizes were not Superman-related) awarded to Supermen of America club members who won an essay contest on the subject of What I Would Do If I Had The Powers Of Supermen. A red and gold bas-relief depiction of Superman decorates the head of the ring, which was described by Hakes as one of around two dozen known examples. It sold for $18,756 against an estimate of $5,000 to $10,000. To learn more, call 866-404-9800 or 717-434-1600 or visit www.hakes.com. All images courtesy of Hakes Auctions.