From The Scoop: Highest Graded Richie Rich #1 in Auction
From the April 14 issue of Gemstone Publishing's The Scoop:
A 9.6 CGC graded copy of Richie Rich #1 is going to be one of the central books in the upcoming Heritage Signature Comic auction this May. In addition to offering the book, the original cover art as well as the complete interior art is going on the block with it.
First seen in 1953 as a backup feature in Little Dot #1, Richie Rich, the Poor Little Rich Boy, has become, arguably, the world's most successful comic book character. He has appeared in over 50 individual titles and over 2,000 individual issues bearing his name. this is not even counting the innumerable guest appearances he has made in other titles.
Richie sprang to life in the pages of Little Dot #1 in 1953, making his debut alongside Little Lotta. Little Dot #6 saw Richie cover-featured for the first time, and, in 1957, Harvey Hits #3 became the first comic fully devoted to the wealthy lad from Richville. Richie was featured again in Harvey Hits #9, but his initial reception seems to have been lukewarm at best.
It wouldn't be until 1960, and the publication of Richie Rich #1, that the Poor Little Rich Boy would come into his own. Suddenly the floodgates were open and Richie and all his friends were ready to take an eager comic-buying public by storm. Over the next quarter-century, Richie and pals would become some of the most beloved comic characters ever created, appearing not only on the printed page, but on TV and movie screens as well.
“We're very pleased to offer the ultimate in Richie Rich collectibles,” said Ed Jaster, Vice President for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries in a press release. “Not only are we presenting the finest-known copy of Richie Rich #1, but we're also pleased to offer, for the very first time, the original cover and interior art from this landmark issue.”
“The copy of Richie Rich #1 we're offering in our upcoming Signature auction is a rare publisher's File Copy,” Jaster said, “which stands alone at the top of the CGC census with its incredible grade of 9.6. This elusive Silver Age gem is hard enough to find in even Fine condition, so this stunning copy is sure to bring bidders out of the woodwork.”
“Perhaps even more incredible,” said Jaster, “is the original cover and interior art for this historic issue. The cover is finely rendered by Warren Kremer, Richie's 'father,' while the interior art is provided by Kremer and Sid Couchey, perhaps better known as the creator of Little Lotta. Included in this lot, in addition to the cover, is a one-page Richie Rich story by Couchey; 'Early to Bed,' a five-page Richie Rich story by Couchey; a one-page Pee Wee story with Kremer art; a one-page Little Dot story by Couchey; 'For the Birds,' a five-page Richie Rich story by Couchey; 'Uncle Tape's Speedy Fixer,' a five-page Little Dot story by Couchey; and 'Singing Sensation,' a five-page Little Lotta story by Couchey. All in all, this is a prize that every Richie fan will want to claim for his or her own.”
Information on the auction can be found at www.heritagecomics.com.
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