Hake's Auctions

Hake's Auctions holds the distinction of being the first pop culture auction house in the United States, a pioneering firm that has been connecting collectors with rare toys, comics, political memorabilia, and entertainment artifacts since 1967. Based in York, Pennsylvania, Hake's has built an extraordinary reputation over more than five decades as the definitive marketplace for American popular culture collectibles, from pre-war Disney items and Golden Age comic books to modern action figures and sports cards. The firm was founded by Ted Hake, a visionary collector and dealer who recognized that the objects of American popular culture, items that most people considered ephemeral and disposable, possessed genuine historical and monetary value. Starting with political campaign buttons and pins, Hake built a catalog business that gradually expanded to encompass every facet of American pop culture collecting. His reference books on political buttons and pinback collectibles became standard works in the field, establishing him as a leading authority on American political memorabilia. In 2004, Hake's was acquired by Steve Geppi, the founder and owner of Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest distributor of English-language comic books in the world. This acquisition brought significant resources and infrastructure to Hake's while maintaining the firm's identity and expertise. Under Geppi's ownership, Hake's has continued to grow, expanding its categories and achieving record-breaking prices that reflect the booming market for pop culture collectibles. The range of material that passes through Hake's Auctions is remarkable in its breadth. Every auction features a carefully curated selection spanning comic books and original comic art, political Americana, Disneyana, toys and action figures, sports memorabilia, movie posters, entertainment memorabilia, autographs, concert posters, and virtually every other facet of popular culture collecting. This comprehensive approach sets Hake's apart from more narrowly focused competitors and attracts a diverse buyer base with wide-ranging interests. Comic books and original comic art have become increasingly important categories for the firm. Hake's has handled significant Golden Age, Silver Age, and Modern Age comics, as well as original artwork by legendary artists. The firm's results in this category have been impressive, with Curt Swan's Action Comics #309 Superman cover original art achieving $112,015 and numerous other pieces of original comic art commanding five- and six-figure prices. The toy and action figure department is another powerhouse for Hake's. The firm regularly handles rare and prototype toys from every era, including early tinplate and cast iron toys, 1960s and 1970s action figures, Star Wars prototypes, and modern collectible figures. A Star Wars Boba Fett Rocket-Firing L-Slot Prototype sold for $236,000, while a Captain America Avengers Endgame Screen Used Hero Prop achieved $259,539. Aurora monster model kits, vintage board games, and Japanese tin toys are additional areas of strength. Political memorabilia remains close to the firm's heart, reflecting Ted Hake's original specialty. Hake's regularly handles significant campaign buttons, posters, banners, and ephemera from every era of American political history. A Cox and Roosevelt 1920 jugate presidential campaign button sold for $185,850, demonstrating the extraordinary values that rare political items can achieve. An 1860 Lincoln/Hamlin flag realized $42,185, and the firm consistently offers important political material spanning from the early Republic through modern elections. Disneyana and character collectibles represent another core category. Hake's has handled museum-quality Disney items from the earliest days of the Mouse, including rare celluloids, early merchandise, and prototype toys. A pair of Mickey and Minnie Mouse Charlotte Clark display dolls realized $151,534, illustrating the premium that the market places on exceptional Disney material with documented provenance. Hake's conducts auctions approximately every two months, with each sale typically spanning two days and featuring 2,000 to 3,000 lots. All auctions are conducted online through the firm's website, with bidding open for a set period before a scheduled closing. The firm's online platform provides detailed photographs, descriptions, and condition information for every lot. Their staff is knowledgeable and responsive, providing additional information and photographs upon request. The buying process at Hake's is straightforward. Registration is free and can be completed through their website. Bidding is entirely online, with a proxy bidding system that allows bidders to set maximum bids and let the system bid incrementally on their behalf. The firm ships worldwide, with secure packaging appropriate for the type of material being sent. The buyer's premium at Hake's is competitive with industry standards. Sellers benefit from the firm's established reputation and dedicated collector base, which includes many of the most serious pop culture collectors in the world. The firm offers free appraisals for potential consignors and provides guidance on the best timing and presentation for consigned material. Frequently asked questions about Hake's include whether they grade comics in-house or require third-party grading (significant comics are typically offered with CGC or CBCS grading), whether they handle large collections (yes, including estate-sized lots), and whether political memorabilia must be American (primarily, though international political material of exceptional quality is occasionally accepted).