(Paris) Toys from the 1960s, boards of comics autographed or candy dispensers: the Millon house is auctioning more than 350 objects from the Batman universe, the famous DC superhero, on Thursday in Paris.
Posted at 10:35 a.m.
In comics, in a figurine, or in a photo signed by Michael Keaton: Batman is presented from every angle in the “Batcollection”, the result of 20 years of research carried out by a fan of the bat man.
The pieces, dating from 1966 to 1997, retrace the evolution of Bruce Wayne, the superhero created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939. This “slightly new sale in France” of one of the “most beautiful collections of the 2000s” is aimed at both “fans of the character” and “fans of toys”, says pop culture director at Millon, Alexis Jacquement.
The majority of the lots offered are indeed figurines and cars, most of them still in their original packaging, which the seller obtained in the United States, Japan, or online on eBay in the 2000s, at the beginning of the platform.
Displayed between 10 and 7000 euros, the other objects range from the candy dispenser with the effigy of the Joker to the authentic comic strip, passing by articulated dolls – terrifying – Batman and Robin.
Among the highlights: the original album cover Batman Aliens #2 signed Bernie Wrightson, estimated between 7,000 and 9,000 euros ($9,500 and $12,000), or an afterword at 1,800 euros ($2,400) by Brian Bolland for Killing JokeComics that tell the origins of the Joker, Batman’s main enemy.
“It’s a very flourishing sector” carried by “compulsive collectors” in search of “nostalgia”, underlines Alexis Jacquement. “Many buy objects they already have to improve their condition”, look for “toys lost during childhood” or which they “could not have had at the time”.
The specialist welcomes the approximately one hundred registrations already registered for Thursday’s session, which will also be broadcast live in the United States. “We are a little on the lookout,” he concedes, noting the astronomical figures reached by certain auctions across the Atlantic.
While remaining optimistic. Sales dedicated to pop culture, driven by the fashion for old video games, are booming in France. “A few years ago, we were thought to be crazy! concludes Alexis Jacquement.