Historic Superman Related Artefacts To Be Sold At Auction

Heritage Auctions, one of the world’s premiere auction services for rare collectibles, has gotten ahold of four extremely rare Superman related Ashcans. 

In the early days of comic books, Ashcans were cheaply made mock ups of a comic book’s name and logo that was sent to the Patents Office to be trademarked. Once legally secured the books were tossed away giving them their name and scarcity.  

The earliest of the four in question is a 1939 take on the Superman logo. Apparently the cover image and interior content was merely used for conceptualisation as the cover image is from Action Comics #7 and the story inside from issue #8.

 Superwoman was submitted in 1941 and registered In 1942. The character wouldn’t make her comic debut until 1943 so the cover is from More Fun Comics #73 with interior content from Action Comics #38

Superboy was also registered in 1942.  He wouldn’t appear in comics until 1945 so his cover is from Detective Comics #57.  Being submitted around the same time as Superwoman, the Superboy ashcan also features Action Comics #38 for the interiors.

Supergirl’s ashcan was submitted in 1944 and registered In 1945. Debuting 14 years later in 1959, her cover sports a Jack Kirby and Joe Simon image of Boy Commandos #1 and an interior story from Action Comics #80.

For a bit more historical depth be sure to check out the Superman auction #7270 at comics.ha.com before the auction dates of April 7th-10th. The four comic artifacts can be viewed in greater detail and occupy lot #s 91070 through 91073. And if you’re so inclined, happy bidding!