Rare superhero comics to go on sale

Head of the rare book department Francis McWhannell, with one of the Tom Mackie Collection of Comics to be auctioned on 24 October at Webb's, Auckland. Photo / NZPA

Eighty years of the daring exploits of super heroes Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon will go under the hammer later this month when an Auckland man's collection of thousands of comics is expected to attract world-wide attention.

Tom Mackie, who died two years ago, never tired of the thrill of the chase and would do anything to track down a comic for his collection, said his daughter, Kathleen Mackie.

"He was always at comic auctions and book stores and ferreting around places to find them. The search was the big thing for him.

"I remember many large boxes encroaching on my bedroom."

She said she had no interest in reading them.

"As a teenager I couldn't have cared less," she said.

The collection of 354 lots of possibly up to 10,000 comics, was mostly Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers but also included other classic comics such as Hurricane Hawk, Jungle Jim, Brick Bradford, Flyin' Jenny, Secret Agent X-9, Prince Valiant, Mandrake the Magician, Rip Kirby, The Phantom, Silver Starr, Tarzan, Yarmak, Anthony Fury, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Popeye, Billy Bunter and Tom Merry.

Francis McWhannell, from Webb's auction house, said the Tom Mackie Collection offered a fascinating insight into an important art form.

"He was incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated to this particular area of collection.

"As far as Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon are concerned it is a remarkably thorough collection as well."

The auction on October 24 would also include some paraphernalia that went with the comics.

"There is a ray gun toy and a wind up rocket, a police patrol and wind up ship."

Mr McWhannell said it was hard to say what they would go for but some of the rare comics could go for $300 each.

He said it was a good opportunity for someone to begin a collection or add to it at a reasonable cost.

"We are not talking massive money for this collection," he said.

- NZPA