CGC Announces the 61st Pedigree Collection - "Promise"

CGC is proud to recognize a 61st pedigree collection, called the “Promise” Collection. At just over 5,000 comics, the group is one of the largest pedigree collections that CGC has ever graded, with many of the highest grade Golden Age comics known. Runs of All-American, Archie, All-Select, All Winners, Captain America, Claire Voyant, Detective, Flash, Phantom Lady, Seven Seas, Sub-Mariner, Superman and numerous other titles from the 1940s were incredibly well-preserved and many of the books have markings, which together establish the collection's pedigree.

Only a fraction of the collection has been graded by CGC so far, but out of the comics already graded, here are a few highlights: Detective Comics #140 graded CGC 9.6 (highest-graded copy), Phantom Lady #17 graded CGC 9.6 (highest-graded copy), All-American Comics #61 graded CGC 9.6 and Captain America Comics #59 graded CGC 9.8.

Detective Comics #140 and Phantom Lady #17 (images courtesy of Heritage Auctions). Click images to enlarge.

The consignors of the collection wish to remain anonymous, but here’s what we do know about the story behind Promise Collection:

In the early 1950s, a young man by the name of Robert was drafted by the Army to fight in Korea. His younger brother, Junie, enlisted in the hopes of keeping watch over Robert. Junie told his brother that if anything should happen to him in battle, Robert should take care of his beloved collection of comic books.

Knowing how much his brother treasured the collection, Robert promised to look after his comics should anything happen to him. Tragically, Junie died in battle shortly after at the age of 21.

Eventually, Robert came home from the war and fulfilled his promise to his brother. He assembled the comic books and meticulously packed them and stored them away in an attic for over half a century.

All American Comics #61 and Captain America Comics #59 (images courtesy of Heritage Auctions). Click images to enlarge.

“The Promise Collection will be considered one of the greatest pedigrees for its incredible quality, size, and the presence of so many great issues from the Golden Age,” said Matt Nelson, CGC Primary Grader. “What also sets this collection apart is its gripping backstory. We’ve witnessed how the history of a pedigree can enhance its appeal to collectors, such as the Okajima collection, which was amassed by a young girl in an American Internment camp during WWII. There is no doubt that many, many copies from this collection will shatter records.”

Many of the books have markings; here are a few examples. Click image to enlarge.

Heritage Auctions expects to offer the Promise Collection in multiple sales, beginning in June 2021 and continuing through 2022.

To view all 61 pedigrees CGC recognizes, please visit here.