239 auction lots of pop-culture and vintage collectibles from popular franchises like Star Wars, GI Joe, Transformers, Masters of the Universe, and more, are up for bids at LCG Auctions.

BATON ROUGE, LA -- FEBRUARY 3, 2023 – The extensive media exposure generated in October by the sale of an original 2007 factory-sealed first-edition iPhone by LCG Auctions for a record price of $39,340 led to the fresh find of another 2007 factory-sealed first-edition iPhone. The rare iPhone, the first mint-conditioned example to come to market since the October sale, is open for bidding in the 2023 LCG Winter Premier Auction through February 19 at LCGAuctions.com.

Featuring 239-lots of pop-culture memorabilia and collectibles, the auction presents 80 lots of Transformers collectibles – the largest-ever offering of one of the 1980s most popular franchises as well as large lot counts from many other key categories including; Star Wars (47), GI Joe (45); Masters of the Universe (18), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (14); and VHS/Video Games/Electronics (23). 

Originally released at retail on June 29, 2007, for $599, the original iPhone included 8 GB of storage, a touchscreen, a 2-magapixel camera and a web browser. The iconic box features a life-size image of the iPhone with 12 icons on the screen. It quickly became Apple’s most successful product, forever changed the smartphone industry, and was named the Time Magazine Invention of the Year in 2007. 

Here's the backstory behind the phone. In 2007, when the consigner landed a management job at PetSmart her friends gifted her the phone. But because she already had three phone lines with Verizon and you could only activate an iPhone via AT&T, she hesitated to pay three early termination fees. In addition, she did not want to lose her cell phone number which ended in 5555 as in those days you could not keep your phone number if you changed carriers. Instead, she put the phone away and forgot about it. She considered selling it a few times over the years and in 2019, she appeared on the Treasure Hunt segment of the syndicated television show “The Doctor & The Diva,” during which Dr. Lori appraised it for $5,000. 

“We are thrilled to bring another 2007 first edition iPhone to auction,” said Mark Montero, Founder of LCG Auctions. “After our record-setting sale in October and the corresponding national media attention, we were contacted by numerous people who thought they had one. We were not surprised that this was the only fresh find that resurfaced as it really needed to be a perfect storm of events for a first-release 2007 iPhone to remain unopened and in great condition. Our consignors’ story checked all of those boxes.” 

The Back to the Future VHS tape is the first unopened and graded VHS from the iconic movie to be offered by LCG Auctions. The title made headlines last June when Tom Wilson, who played Biff Tannen in the film, sold his sealed original copy for $75,000. This high-grade early release of one of the most important VHS tapes in the entire hobby is graded an exceptional 9.4/4-Stars by REWIND Grading company. It features the all-important white MCA Home Video watermarks cascade beautifully in horizontal sequence across the front and back. Other essential features include the barcode on the side panel, the yellow MCA Home Video logo on front, and the crucial stamped “MCATM” tape on bottom. 

Here's a look at some of the key auction items and estimated sale prices:

Lot #2 2007 Factory Sealed iPhone First Edition (estimate $50,000+)

Lot #3 1982 Masters of the Universe Heman 8-Back AFA 80 (estimate $20,000+)

Lot #1 1983 GI Joe Snake Eyes Explosion Back AFA 90 (estimate $25,000+)

Lot #11  1978 Star Wars Boba Fett Canada 20-Back AFA 85 (estimate $20,000)

Lot #8  1984 Transformers Bumble Bee AFA 85 (estimate $20,000)

Lot #7  1984 Transformers Optimus Prime AFA 85 (estimate $15,000)

Lot #5  1986 VHS Back to the Future REWIND 9.4/4-Star Seal (estimate $15,000)

Lot #6 1993 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Scratch the Cat Figurine AFA 85 (estimate $15,000)

Lot #4  1982 Masters of the Universe Skeletor 8-Back AFA 80+ (estimate $15,000)

LCG Auctions is currently accepting consignments for its 2023 Spring Auction. To consign an item, visit https://lcgauctions.com/consign-an-item/ or call 985-282-2533; or email info@LCGAuctions.com.

About LCG Auctions: LCG Auctions was founded in 2021 by a team of passionate vintage toy collectors and experts and is the industry’s first marketplace exclusively for premium vintage toys. It offers rare, difficult-to-find, high-end vintage pieces rarely available in other marketplaces. Items are authenticated and professionally graded, giving collectors peace of mind in their investment. LCG utilizes state-of-the-art auction software that includes a zoom feature, allowing collectors to thoroughly examine the condition of every item. LCG Auctions LLC is fully licensed and bonded by the state of Louisiana (License #: LA AB-551).  For more information, visit www.LCGAuctions.com or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lcgauctions), Instagram (@LCGAuctions), or Twitter (@LCGAuctions).  

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.