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February 26, 2016: Vintage Superman Items Featured in Hake's Americana Auction
Posted by Neil Cole
A rare assortment of vintage Superman collectibles and memorabilia from the 1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's is currently featured in Hake's Americana and Collectibles Auction #217.
Here are a few of the featured items and descriptions:
RARE SUPERMAN HOOD/BICYCLE
ORNAMENT WITH BOX
Made by L. W. Lee Mfg. Co. c. 1946, this solid cast metal ornament, which could be used for either automobiles or bicycles, has company name and NCP copyright on underside of cape. Came in different sizes w/chrome (see following item #2137) or gold finish. This is gold luster version measuring 5.5" long from back of heel to tip of fist and is 6" tall. Great action pose of Superman taking off for flight w/cape flowing behind. Underside of cape has tiny spot missing gold luster w/silver underplating showing but this is as made and overall does not affect the appearance at all. Ornament exhibits just the tiniest traces of aging/wear that is only noticeable upon close inspection and retains near 100% full vibrant gold luster and is an unused and NM example. Comes w/rare 4x6.75x2.75" deep box (complete w/original packing paper) which shows illustration of hood ornament and has NCP and Superman logos. Box is aged but tight w/corner tip/edge wear. Fine. Very few boxed ornaments are known and this is only the second example we have offered in our 49 years. A very striking piece. Franco Toscanini Collection.
SUPERMAN "KELLOGG'S PEP" CEREAL
STORE ADVERTISING STANDEE
Large 26.25x39.25" die-cut cardboard standee w/easel back features wonderful illustration of Superman standing w/three children w/box and bowl of Pep cereal in foreground. Text at top reads "Boy! It's Super" and boy in middle whistles for his friends to come meet Superman. This boy also wears a beanie that has an indistinct yet clearly a Superman pin on it. The other boy at right also wears a beanie w/pins, but these are indistinct. ©1947 NCP, Inc. Front of standee has had professional restoration by specialists Poster Mountain, replacing surface paper loss to text at top (about 15% of text), Superman's cheek, just above his "S" symbol and to left margin by cereal bowl. Moisture staining to edges at top and along bottom right corner have also had restoration. Back of standee remains in original state and is VG, while front of standee now displays Mint as restored. Among the nicest, most sought after and rarest of Superman displays. Few known examples of this display exist and this restored example is certain to become the focal point of any Superman collection.
"THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN"
1942 HARD COVER BOOK WITH DUST JACKET
6x9.25" with 216 pages by George Lowther, published by Random House. Book has bw illustrations by Joe Shuster, co-creator of Superman throughout, at the beginning and ending of story chapters plus six full page illustrations and four choice full color plates. Dust jacket shows Superman bounding over Metropolis skyline. DJ has moderate aging/wear w/.5x1.5" piece missing at top of spine but is still bright and glossy. Unclipped DJ still displays Fine. Book cover and interior pages are overall Fine/VF. End papers have some foxing/tanning. This is the very first Superman regular book ever published with original stories and unique art.
View the complete list of Superman items up for auction at Hakes.com.
