Sotheby's Books & Manuscripts is offering one of the largest collections of DC Comics for sale.
The Ian Levine Collection of DC Comics boasts more than 40,000 comics released between 1934 and 2014. It features complete collections of Superman, Batman, Action Comics and Detective Comics. The package also includes the first appearances of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, the Flash and Martian Manhunter.
"The Ian Levine Collection is the holy grail for comics collectors." Sotheby's New York manager Richard Austin said in a statement. "Amassed over decades of hunting, Levine's collection embodies the passion and fandom that has defined comics culture for generations, which today is best encapsulated not through printed issues but popular superhero films that regularly break box office records. Featuring some of the most valuable individual books as well as extremely rare promotional issues, the Levine Collection includes all the DC heroes that are among the most recognizable and versatile pop culture touchstones in the world."
Ian Levine first started his collection after reading the Justice League of America title in 1960; he has spent decades collecting compete runs of every comic DC has ever published.
The auction begins today and coincides with Batman's first appearance in Detective Comics #27 on March 30, 1939.