Copy of Action Comics No. 1 Sells For $3.2 Million

Above, Action Comics No. 1.

One has to wonder how many people who were kids during the late-1930s who collected comic books, and had theirs tossed into the trash can by their mothers, are now kicking themselves.

Last week, it was reported by Cleveland.com that a near-pristine copy of Action Comics No. 1 was sold on eBay for a whopping $3.2 million.

They wrote:

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A near-perfect copy of "Action Comics" No. 1 featuring the first appearance of Superman in 1938, sold on eBay this weekend for a staggering $3.2 million. 

The comic was created by Clevelanders Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in their Glenville homes and originally sold for 10 cents. The creators tried to sell the concept to publishers around the country for five years, getting nothing but rejection. One publisher said the idea of a super man was too ridiculous. 

Hard to believe the book was sold on eBay and not through one of the prestige New York auction houses, but it worked. Part of the profits will go to The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. 

The previous record price for a copy of "Action Comics" No. 1 was a mere $2.1 million. It was a copy once owned by actor and comic buff Nicolas Cage.

The record sale came eight days after Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel's daughter Laura attended the Superman Celebration events in Los Angeles. The sale would have been an interesting topic of discussion had it occurred before.

Above, Laura Siegel Larson, daughter of Jerry Siegel, addresses the Superman Celebration Luncheon August 16. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

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