(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Friday, 12/02/2011 3:35 PM
This auction has ended.
PUBLISHER: DC
COMMENTS: ow/white pgs UNRESTORED "The Creator of Superman's Superman #1" (please read bidding requirements in listing description)
Joe Shuster cover & art; origin story; pin-up bc; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Jerry Siegel Collection
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ow/white pgs UNRESTORED "The Creator of Superman's Superman #1" (please read bidding requirements in listing description)
Joe Shuster cover & art; origin story; pin-up bc; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Jerry Siegel Collection
As one of the top Golden Age keys, Superman #1 features an iconic Man of Steel cover image, plus a legendary origin that remains the definitive telling to most fans. (Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's updated tale adds four pages deleted from Action Comics #1.) There's also added historical importance with the book offering the first back-cover pin-up in comics history, as well as stories showcasing three of the most important supporting characters in the Superman pantheon: Ma and Pa Kent (in their first appearance), along with Lois Lane.
Superman #1 also made comics history as the first true solo title for an American superhero. Unlike other books from the era, there were no back-up stories with other characters. This was a true testament to the Man of Steel's popularity, with Superman still a regular presence in Action Comics. (The publishers remained cautious enough to launch this solo Superman as a quarterly publication.)
As an investment, Superman #1 is only rivaled by Action #1 as a top collectible in any grade. The Man from Krypton has now spent decades being regularly featured in cartoons, serials, movies, television shows, and merchandising. Fans are anxiously awaiting the launch of the big-screen DC Extended Universe with 2025's Superman, to be followed by Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow in 2026. In fact, DC Studios' James Gunn announced his inspirations for the return of Superman by leading with Shuster's chain-shattering Superman #1 pin-up.
The Creator of Superman's Superman #1!
Originally from the collection of Jerry Siegel, here is a beautiful, unrestored copy of Superman #1 that never saw a 1939 newsstand! This unique Superman #1 is the one and only personal copy owned by Superman writer/creator Jerry Siegel. It went directly from the printer to Jerry's Cleveland home in 1939 before other copies of the book hit the newsstands.
The day he got it, Jerry (who was known as Jerome in his family) wrote "Personal Copy of Jerome Siegel" at the top of the first page so that there would be no mistaking who it belonged to. It remained in his possession until he passed away in January 1996 at the age of 82.
Superman was the hottest selling character in comics from his first appearance in Action Comics #1 in 1938. Although Superman was clearly the star of Action Comics, other comic characters appeared in that publication, but fans demanded a book that contained ONLY Superman. A few months later, the first all Superman comic appeared, containing 64 full color pages of action-packed stories and features written by Siegel including the Scientific Explanation of SUPERMAN's Amazing Strength - - !
Opportunities to own a book of this magnitude are few and very far between. Collectors go wild for pedigree books that at the end of the day do not carry with them much historical significance. Could there be such a thing as a "super-pedigree"? If so, this book is it.
Graded by CGC at a very respectable 5.5 FN- with ow/white pages. We have had the opportunity to appreciate and evaluate this book before it was graded by CGC. It is tight, bright and has the feel, heft and weight of a high-grade, fresh off the newsstand copy. A small chip out near the bottom of the spine keeps it out of a much higher grade category.
Bid now or forever hold your peace.
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We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 3 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit paid by check, money order or wire transfer.
Artist Information
Joseph Shuster was a Canadian-American comic book artist best known for co-creating the DC Comics character Superman, with writer Jerry Siegel, in Action Comics #1.