Iconic Underground Comix Art c 1970 Sells For $1.6m At Heritage

The world’s largest collection of original Underground Comix Art crushed several artist world records when it sold for a combined $1,605,016 during Heritage Auctions’ presentation of the Eric Sack Collection Nov. 17-19 in Beverly Hills. The collection set an artist auction record for Robert Crumb for his four-page complete story from Thrilling Murder Comics #1, which sold for $143,400.

“After spending nearly four decades putting together my collection, I decided to entrust it to Heritage,” Sack said. “I couldn’t be happier with my decision. They have the best customer base and reach by far, and their website is amazing.”

The collection was amassed over 40 years and has been featured in museum exhibits worldwide. The one-of-a-kind collection included spanned original cover art; illustrations; complete, multi-page stories and even album cover art. It was rich in examples by Crumb, Sack’s favorite artist.

Crumb’s Original Art for a Complete, Three-Page Story from 1978’s Mondo Snarfo comic book sold for $131,450. The Original Poster Art for a 1992 French exhibition of Crumb’s work saw interest from 15 bidders, who pushed the auction price to $77,675.

Crumb’s work wasn’t the only artist record set during the auction. An artist auction record for Rory Hayes was set for $65,725 for his Complete Four-Page Original Story Art from Insect Fear #3. The Complete Five-Page Story Original Art by Richard Corben’s work in Hot Stuf’ #1 set an artist auction record for $45,410.

 

“We saw artist records across so many different styles of art,” said Todd Hignite, Vice President of Heritage Auctions. “The auction was an overwhelming success by any standard and measure and it shows just how beloved the Underground Comix Art Movement remains among fans — from both the comic art and fine art collecting worlds.”

An artist auction record for duo Gilbert Shelton and Dave Sheridan’s work on the Original Cover Art for The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers #4 was set for $43,040; the Original Art for a One-Page Story by Rick Griffin’s contribution to Yellow Dog #2 set a record at $40,630. And a Chris Ware’s “Jimmy Corrigan” Original Art featured in Acme Novelty Library #1 set an artist auction record at $38,240.

“I was blown away by how they were able to maximize the price realized at every turn and they put out the best catalogs anywhere,” Sack said. “Best of all, the company is run by true fans like me.”

Additional highlights include, but are not limited to: 

Robert Crumb Zap Comix #2 “Angelfood McSpade” Complete 4-Page Story Original Art: Realised: $71,700

Robert Crumb Zap Comix #7 “R. Crumb Presents R. Crumb” Complete 3-Page Story Original Art: Realised: $52,580

Robert Crumb, S. Clay Wilson, Victor Moscoso, Spain Rodriguez, Rick Griffin, Robert Williams, and Gilbert Shelton Zap Comix #12 – a two-page jam Comic Strip: Realised: $52,580

Robert Crumb Zap Comix #0 “Freak Out Funnies” Complete 2-Page Story Original Art:Realised: $47,800

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