A pristine copy of “Superman No. 1” from 1939, discovered by three brothers cleaning out their late mother’s attic, has sold for a record $9.12 million, making it the most expensive comic book ever sold.
The brothers found the comic in a cardboard box beneath layers of old newspapers in their mother’s San Francisco home. She had long told them about a valuable collection, but they only uncovered it while preparing the house for sale. “It was just in an attic, sitting in a box, could have easily been thrown away,” said Lon Allen of Heritage Auctions, which handled the sale.
The comic’s value was driven by its rarity, excellent condition (graded 9.0 out of 10), and its status as the first solo issue of the world’s first superhero. Its improbable discovery story added to its allure. The cool California climate had helped preserve its vibrant colors and firm spine.
The sale shatters the previous record of $6 million for an “Action Comics No. 1,” which first introduced Superman. One of the brothers reflected that the find was “a testament to memory, family and the unexpected ways the past finds its way back to us.” The identities of the brothers and the buyer remain confidential.
By James Kisoo
