Heritage's April 7-10 Comics & Comic Art Auction is open for bids, and there is certainly no shortage of books on which to bid. While there is something for everyone in this massive auction, here is a look at some of the grail pieces worth watching.*All lot descriptions are courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

Journey Into Mystery #83 (Marvel, 1962) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages

"A spectacular copy of an issue that's a real toughie to find in 9.4 and just about impossible to find in higher grade. In fact, CGC has awarded a higher grade for the key Marvel Age issue on just one prior occasion. It's been nearly a year since we've seen a copy in even 8.5!

The origin and first appearance of Thor is the reason the book is considered a grail. Jack Kirby created one of his most memorable covers and also contributed interior art for the issue, as did Steve Ditko. CGC census 3/22: 11 in 9.4, 1 higher."

A CGC 9.4 hasn't come to auction since Feb 21, 2019, when a copy sold for $144,000. This was a slight disappointment after its preceding sale, which closed at $191,200 way back on Nov 16, 2017.  Both sales were through Heritage.

Captain America Comics #1 San Francisco Pedigree (Timely, 1941) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages.

Not just one of the most sought-after comics in the hobby, but one of the nicest copies ever seen of it, and from one of the most famous collections. The distributor markings combined with the "Tom Reilly" stamp in the middle of the back cover identify this as being from the storied San Francisco Pedigree collection.

It's particularly noteworthy that the Mile High Pedigree copy is no competition for this specimen, being both a couple of grades lower and restored. The two copies that are even with or ahead of this one on CGC's census are also pedigrees: the 9.8 Allentown and 9.4 Denver copies."

Heritage auctioned this copy in August of 2019, closing out at $915,000. All signs point to this one breaking the 1M barrier. What do you think?

Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages

"With the ever-increasing demand for the issue and resulting recent resulting record-breaking auction prices, it's hard to believe there was a time that anyone estimated its value to have dropped!

The origin and first appearance of Spider-Man created quite a stir from the very beginning and shows no sign of slowing down. Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko collaborated on the famous (and often imitated) cover, with Ditko providing the interior art for the issue. CGC census 3/22: 45 in 7.5, 61 higher."

The three most recent sales of this grade have reached $156,000 (Apr 4, 2021, Heritage), $120,000 (Nov 21, 2019, Heritage), and $120,000 (Sep 9, 2019, ComicConnect).

Fantastic Four #2 (Marvel, 1962) CGC NM 9.4 White pages

"Breathtaking colors with white pages distinguish this gem from other copies we've offered over the years. We've offered a higher-graded copy on just two occasions -- both over eight years ago -- and neither could boast the page quality of this one.

The second appearance of the Fantastic Four -- still not in costume -- is occasioned by the first appearance of the Skrulls, who will figure prominently in the upcoming Secret Invasion TV series.

The incredible action-packed cover and interior art, including a Thing pin-up, is by Jack Kirby. CGC census 3/22: 10 in 9.4, 3 higherFrom the Truckee Meadows Collection."

The current high bid on this entry is $28,000.

Superman Comics #nn Ashcan (DC, 1939) CGC VF+ 8.5 Off-white to white pages

"It was late 1938 and DC Comics publisher Harry Donenfeld realized that he had a smash hit with Action Comics' lead character, Superman. He wanted to rush another title to the country's newsstands to capitalize on the popularity of the world's first superhero so he ordered his production department to create an ashcan to register the title of the most important comic book in history: Superman Comics -- the first comic book devoted entirely to the adventures of one character.
Superman co-creator and artist, Joe Shuster, created the iconic Superman logo, and the first time that the words Superman Comics ever appeared on the cover of a comic book was on this ashcan edition.
The famous cover image from Action Comics #7 of Superman dangling a crook high over Metropolis, was used as the cover of the ashcan. The interior is the Superman story from Action Comics #8.
The 10¢ notation that was jotted in the cover's price box was probably done by the same office person who was tasked with the actual creation of the ashcan.

There are only 2 copies of the Superman Comics ashcan known to exist. It is the very definition of rare. Its historic importance is unparalleled. DC does not have a copy in their vault.

Session times:

Session 1: Lots 91001-91076: 12:00 PM CT, Thursday, April 7
Session 2: Lots 92001-92139: 2:30 PM CT, Thursday, April 7
Session 3: Lots 93001-93121: 11:00 AM CT, Friday, April 8
Session 4: Lots 94001-94211:  1:30 PM CT, Friday, April 8
Session 5*: Lots 95001-95210: 12:00 PM CT, Saturday, April 9
Session 6*: Lots 96001-96309: 2:30 PM CT, Saturday, April 9
Session 7*: Lots 97001-97708: 12:00 PM CT, Sunday, April 10

Which do you think will be the highest seller? Chat about it in the comments!

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