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Associated Press

Walter Yacoboski scraped together nearly every penny he made as a cook in 1979 to begin buying a small collection of rare comic books for US$10,000, hoping his boyhood passion could one day pay off as an investment.
That day may soon be here.
Yacoboski’s copy of Amazing Fantasy No. 15 from 1962 — which introduced the world to Spider-Man — could fetch US$400,000 or more when it goes up for auction later this month.
“This is the first time I really sold anything,” said the 60-year-old Yacoboski, who wants to use the proceeds to buy his late father’s 7-hectare vegetable farm in Calverton on eastern Long Island.
He insisted that the fact that he was recently laid off as a supermarket baker after more than 27 years is not the reason he’s selling now.
“I have had it for 36 years and it’s just time,” said Yacoboski, who is also is selling a 1963 Spider-Man, as well as two “Fantastic Four” editions and a “Justice League of America,” which combined could bring an additional US$75,000.
But the crown jewel is the Amazing Fantasy issue, which Yacoboski originally purchased individually for US$1,200 in 1980. Its cover, featuring a price of 12 cents, shows Spider-Man clutching a villain in one arm and swinging from his web with the other.
Stan Lee and Steve Ditko co-created the web-slinger and his alter ego, the educationally gifted but awkward Peter Parker, whose life changed forever when he was bitten by a radioactive spider. It paved the way for Spider-Man adventures on television and the big screen.
Lon Allen, managing director of the comics department at Dallas-based Heritage Auctions — which is conducting the sale Thursday — said there are probably 4,000 to 5,000 copies of Amazing Fantasy No. 15 in circulation. But Yacoboski’s copy is in nearly mint condition.
“It was graded 9.4 on a scale of 1 to 10, that’s what makes it super desirable and really special,” Allen said. “Whoever buys this comic will be joining an elite club.”
Allen said a private collector reportedly paid US$1.1 million for a near-mint copy of Amazing Fantasy No. 15 in 2011, but estimated the US$400,000 or more Yacoboski’s edition may fetch could be a record for a public auction of the comic book.
Vincent Zurzolo, co-owner of New York-based Metropolis Collectibles, said the US$1.1 million sale — which he was involved with — involved a comic book graded higher at 9.6.
“This book will do great; it’s an incredibly important book,” said Zurzolo. “When you have a sale like this there is a residual effect on the entire market, so that also makes it very exciting. It’s definitely a special book.”


Debut edition of Spider-Man comic, original price 12 cents, expected to fetch US$400,000 at auction

This undated photo provided by Heritage Auctions shows the comic book "Amazing Fantasy" No. 15, by Marvel Comics. Figuring it would be a good investment, Walter Yacoboski bought the book for $1,200 back in 1980. The comic could fetch $400,000 or more when offered at an auction by Heritage on Feb. 18, 2016. (Heritage Auctions via AP)

In this photo taken Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, in Calverton, N.Y., Walter Yacoboski holds an auction guide featuring one of his comic books, "Amazing Fantasy" No. 15, which features the Spider-Man character. Yacoboski bought the comic book as an investment in 1980 for $1,200. Some experts believe it could fetch $400,000 or more when it is sold at auction on Feb. 18. (AP Photo/Frank Eltman).

This undated photo provided by Heritage Auctions shows the comic book “Amazing Fantasy No. 15”, by Marvel Comics. Figuring it would be a good investment, Walter Yacoboski bought the book for $1,200 back in 1980. The comic could fetch $400,000 or more when offered at an auction. Photo: AP

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