Conversion of Assets V

With the recent popularity of the Avengers movie and the Iron Man films, there is a growing nostalgia for the Silver Age and Bronze Age Iron Man! With that in mind, the panelology department set their sights on acquiring a nice copy of ‘Iron Man #47’. But in order to acquire the necessary funds the following books were sold: first, ‘Batman #251’, published by DC Comics September, 1973. This issue is the bronze-age debut of the Joker, profoundly revised by writer Denny O'Neil and artist Neal Adams. Graded around F (6.0), the cover gloss on this issue still has moderate reflectivity, although there is some minor cover wear, with some minor to moderate creasing; second, ‘Batman #386’, published by DC Comics August, 1985. This issue contains the first appearance of the villain Black Mask. Graded around VF/NM (9.0), this is a sharp copy with no creases, and still has outstanding eye appeal. Issue #251 was sold for $49.96 CAD and issue #386 for $45.79 CAD - a total of $95.75.

These funds were then used to purchase a CGC graded 9.0 (VF/NM) copy of ‘Iron Man #47’ for a total of $92.64 CAD. Published by Marvel Comics in June, 1972, this issue retells the origin of Iron Man, written by Roy Thomas with art by the incomparable Barry Windsor Smith. This is the first detailed retelling of the golden Avenger’s origin since his debut in ‘Tales of Suspense #39’, a decade earlier. The cover itself, an iconic Iron Man image if ever there was one, is by the legendary Gil Kane. As the Iron man movie franchise has grossed over one-billion dollars worldwide, there will be lots of fans for generations to come that will be interested in key issues of his eponymous comic book series!

Planet of the Apes 50th Anniversary

2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Pierre Boulle’s science-fiction classic La Planète des singes, also known in English as Planet of the Apes. The novel was published in France in 1963 by René Julliard, with the first English language version, translated by Xan Fielding, published in the United States by Vanguard Press in June 1963. The first paperback edition was published in the US in March 1964 by Signet / New American Library. The novel has inspired a media franchise comprising several films, two television series (one animated), comic books, toys, etc. The small collection gathered here is comprised of the following items:

 

Planet of the Apes 35th anniversary DVD - Released 2004 by 20th Century Fox. 2 DVDs. 1968/color/112 min. Anamorphic, Color, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Widescreen.

 

 

Dr. Zaius Mego figure - By 1973 a total of five Ape films had been released, and while it might have seemed like the end of the Ape dynasty, it was actually the beginning of the short-lived phenomenon referred to as Ape-Mania. In 1973, 20th Century Fox advertising challenged America to “Go Ape!” They began showing the first two Ape films on TV and all five Ape films in back to back marathons in movie theatres. As luck would have it, Mego President Marty Abrams attended a screening with his son, not even knowing what Planet of the Apes was, but saw fathers and sons enjoying the films together. The next day he was reportedly on the phone with 20th Century Fox executives securing the rights to produce figures based on the Planet of the Apes property. This figure, an early issue Dr. Zaius with the simpler black hero boot, was released in the summer of 1974.

 

 

Addar Cornelius Hobby Kit - The original Planet of the Apes model series was produced by Addar between 1973 and 1975. The kit was sold as a snap-together kit (no glue needed), so no paint or glue was included with the kits. Addar was out of business by 1976, but Cornelius, Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zira and General Ursus were reissued by Polar Lights under the Aurora logo in the 1990s.

 

Adventures on the Planet of the Apes #1 - Comic Book published by Marvel Comics group in 1975. Cover art is by Jim Starlin ; interior art by Ploog and Tuska. This adaptation of the movie by Doug Moench reprints material from Marvel’s Planet of the Apes magazine, but for the first time in color.

 

 

Rubber Gorilla Soldier - Copyright 1973 APJAC Productions and 20th Century Fox; Manufacturer unknown.

 

Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle - First US paperback edition published in March 1964 by Signet / New American Library.

 

Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle - Signet, 18th printing 451-Q5646, circa 1973.

 

Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle - Ballantine Books edition, 1st thus, May 2001.

 

Beneath the Planet of the Apes by Michael Avallone - Bantam Books S5674, first printing, July 1970.

 

Escape from the Planet of the Apes by Jerry Pournelle - Award Books, first printing, 1973.

 

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes by John Jakes - Award Books, first printing, 1973.

 

Battle for the Planet of the Apes by David Gerrold - Award Books, first printing, 1973.

 

Assorted Topps trading cards - From a set for the short-lived Planet of the Apes TV show released in 1975.

 

Pierre Boulle’s Planet of the Apes, a science-fiction classic, was the beginning of a long lasting  series of interpretations of his fantastic vision. Generations have grown up on his ideas, written books with subjects as diverse as 'Planet of the Apes and Philosophy' and 'Planet of the Apes as American Myth: Race and Politics in the Films and Television', and made their own films capturing Boulle’s vision. There have been toys, and games, movies, and books, and a myriad of other products. Truly, the last fifty years have been the Age of the Apes! In the words of the Lawgiver from Battle for the Planet of the Apes: "The promise is yours to keep. Yours to pass on to your children for them to keep." 

Canada Post Banff National Park Stamp

This attractive Canadian postage stamp was issued by Canada Post on June 21, 1985, to commemorate the centenary of world renowned Banff National Park. The stamp itself is an un-mounted mint example of the $2 stamp, beautifully printed using a combination of engraving and lithography. It is housed on a card that slides into an outer cardboard sleeve adorned with vintage and contemporary images of Banff National Park.

Banff National Park is Canada's oldest national park, established in 1885 in the Rocky Mountains. The park, located 110–180 km west of Calgary in the province of Alberta, encompasses 6,641 km2 of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine landscapes. The Canadian Pacific Railway was instrumental in Banff's early years, building the Banff Springs Hotel and Chateau Lake Louise, and attracting tourists through extensive advertising.