Share

First Superman comic fetches $2m

Philadelphia - A rare and pristine copy of the first issue of Action Comics, famed for the first appearance of Superman, has set a record on Wednesday for the most money paid for a single comic book: $2.16m.

The issue, graded at 9.0, was auctioned starting November 11 online at comicconnect.com. The starting bid was just $1 but there was a reserve price of $900 000. Neither the name of the buyer nor seller was disclosed.

It's the first time a comic book has broken the $2m barrier. The issue was published in 1938 and cost just 10 cents.

"When we broke the record in 2010 by selling the Action Comics No 1, graded at 8.5, for $1.5m, I truly believed that this was a record that would stand for many years to come," said Stephen Fishler, CEO of ComicConnect.com and Metropolis Collectibles.

'Legendary'

The previous record set in March 2010 was followed by the sale of another copy for $1m. But neither of those issues was in as good a condition as the issue that sold on Wednesday, though it's pedigree of setting records was already documented. Twice before it set the record for the most expensive book ever, selling for $86 000 in 1992 and $150 000 in 1997.

But in 2000, it was stolen and thought lost until it was recovered in a storage shed in California in April this year.



About 100 copies of Action Comics No 1 are believed to be in existence, and only a handful of those in good condition.

After it was stolen, Fishler said, collectors figured it would never be found or, worse, would be destroyed.

"Clearly, I was wrong. Not in my wildest imagination could I have predicted that this legendary, stolen Action Comics No 1 would be found, graded at 9.0 and break the record a year and a half later," he said.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE