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"It is the original artwork for Batman #11, dated June-July 1942, by artists Fred Ray and Jerry Robinson, and it is the earliest known original cover for any Batman comic book. The artwork depicting Batman, Robin the Boy Wonder, and their most significant arch-foe, the Joker, is in excellent condition. It was held in a private collection for decades," explained Petty.
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"Artist Fred Ray was best known for his classic Superman covers, while Jerry Robinson is generally credited as one of the creators of the Joker. Both artists were significant contributors to the Golden Age of comics, and their work, which rarely comes to market, is highly prized by collectors."
The current record for original comic book cover art is $110,625 for the 1953 cover to Famous Funnies #213, featuring space hero Buck Rogers drawn by legendary artist, Frank Frazetta. It was sold in a 2002 public auction by Heritage Comics Auctions.
"This is not only a classic early Joker cover," said Ben Samuels, Consignment Director for HCA, "but it's arguably one of the finest, most iconic Golden Age covers ever to come to market. With the opening of the new big budget Bat-film, 'Batman Begins,' just around the corner, I can't think of a better time to offer this stunning piece."
"The cover is by Fred Ray, with inks by Jerry Robinson," Samuels continued. "Ray was best known for his classic Superman covers, while Robinson is generally credited as one of the creators of the Joker, Batman's most significant arch-foe. Both were significant contributors to the Golden Age of comics, and their artwork, which rarely comes to market, is highly prized by collectors. This piece, held in a private collection for many years, is in excellent condition, and we are confident that this cover will easily shatter every previously held record for the sale of a single piece of original comic art. This is the third-ever Joker cover and, to the best of our knowledge, the earliest Batman/Detective cover known to exist."
"It's always a thrill to discover a piece that has been hidden away in private hands for many years," Samuels continued, "but when that piece is also one of the most fondly-remembered, legendary covers of the Golden Age featuring three of the best known characters ever created for the four-color page, that thrill is indescribable. This piece is certainly museum-worthy, and will give some lucky collector bragging rights for many years to come."
For additional information, contact Heritage Comics Auctions, 3500 Maple Ave., 17th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75219. Phone: (800) 872-6467. Web: www.HeritageComics.com.
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