Three World Auction Records Help Heritage Illustration Art Sale Reach $2.6 Million
Original artwork created for pulp magazines, classic books, calendars and horror covers brought strong prices at Heritage Auctions on October 29, with three artist records helping push the Illustration Art Signature Auction to $2.6 million. The 366-lot auction attracted 1,577 bidders from around the world and finished with a 99.5% sell-through rate, according to Heritage.
Leading the three new artist records was Laurence Herndon’s The Land of Hidden Men, which sold for $52,500. The oil painting was created for the May 1931 cover of Blue Book to illustrate Edgar Rice Burroughs’ story The Land of the Hidden Men. It was previously part of the collection of noted pulp art collector Robert Lesser and appeared in the Brooklyn Museum’s 2003 exhibition Pulp Art: Vamps, Villains and Victors.
Another early pulp cover established a record for Robert A. Graef. His Maza of the Moon, painted for the December 21, 1929 issue of Argosy, realized $32,500. The watercolor and gouache illustration accompanied Otis Adelbert Kline’s science-fiction adventure and depicts a futuristic battle scene.
Charles Wesley Copeland completed the trio of artist records when his Miss Society by Day “Any Bed Dolly” by Night, created as an interior illustration for the May 1960 issue of MEN magazine, sold for $19,375.
The highest price among the works highlighted by Heritage belonged to Frank Earle Schoonover. His 1917 painting Where is the Key, Sola? sold for $175,000. The illustration was created for the first book edition of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars and helped introduce readers to John Carter and Dejah Thoris. The painting came from the collection of Burroughs collector and historian Robert “Bob” Barrett.
Vintage pin-up art also delivered a six-figure result. Gil Elvgren’s Rare Edition, also known as Hold Everything, a 1962 illustration created for a Brown & Bigelow calendar, sold for $118,750.
Fantasy collectors pushed another recognizable piece well into five figures. Greg and Tim Hildebrandt’s Cirith Ungol, created for the official 1977 J.R.R. Tolkien calendar, realized $68,750. The Brothers Hildebrandt became closely associated with Tolkien imagery through their calendar paintings, making surviving original works from those projects notable pieces for fantasy and Lord of the Rings collectors.
The sale also included a familiar image for Stephen King fans. Don Brautigam’s original cover painting for Stephen King’s Skeleton Crew sold for $13,750. Heritage said the result was the highest auction price ever paid for a book cover by Brautigam. The 1985 artwork came directly from the artist’s estate and was used for King’s collection of short fiction, giving the piece a direct connection to one of the author’s most recognizable releases from the period.
“This was a very strong sale overall, with collectors responding across the range of illustration art,” says Sarahjane Blum, Heritage’s Director of Illustration Art. “The records are exciting, and the depth of bidding throughout the auction shows Heritage continuing to be a force in the field. From early pulp covers to beloved fantasy imagery, these results reflect an enduring appreciation for the artists who brought stories to life.”
Heritage’s October 29 Illustration Art Signature Auction ultimately totaled $2.6 million, with all but a small fraction of its 366 lots finding buyers.