"SUPERMEN OF AMERICA - MEMBER" THE FIRST SUPERMAN RING & 1940 CONTEST PRIZE RARE HIGH GRADE EXAMPLE.
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Winning Bid:
$7,935.50
(Includes 18% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Thursday, November 7, 2019 9:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Thursday, November 7, 2019 9:00:00 PM)
Item Description
PLEASE NOTE - RING CONDITION IS AS DESCRIBED. WHAT YOU SEE IN OUR PHOTO (ESPECIALLY IF ENLARGED) IS NOT WHAT IS SEEN BY THE NAKED EYE. THE HIGH QUALITY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE AMPLIFIES EVEN THE MOST MINOR IMPERFECTION. LOOKING AT THE ITEM IN PERSON AND UNDER NORMAL VIEWING CONDITIONS, LITTLE TO NONE OF THIS IS EVIDENT. WHEN WE GIVE A RING LIKE THIS A HIGH GRADE, THAT IS THE ACCURATE GRADE AND A MORE TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE ITEM AS SEEN IN THE CATALOG PHOTO.
Much of the following information comes from page 34 of the book created by long time Superman specialist Harry Matetsky titled "The Adventures Of Superman Collecting" published in 1988. This book documents the circumstances behind the creation of the "Member" ring offered in this lot. The first Superman contest was announced in Superman #3 with a solicitation for club members and the statement that contest details would be explained in the January, 1940 issue of "Action Comics." 2,000 prizes were offered to boys and girls who, in 100 words or less, wrote the best letters on the subject "What I Would Do If I Had The Powers Of Superman." Only members of the recently formed Supermen Of America Club were allowed to participate and all entries had to be received by January 28, 1940. Only two of the prizes were actually Superman related with the rest being generic toys such as a football, boxing gloves, Chinese checkers and about a dozen others. Those that were Superman related were a sweatshirt with Superman emblem and this Superman ring showing an image of him breaking a chain across his chest surrounded by the text "Supermen Of America - Member." On the side bands, the left pictures a planet while on the right are a pair of vertical lightning bolt designs. The ring is adjustable and made of silvered brass. The condition of this ring is best gauged by the amount of red paint remaining on his "S" chest emblem as well as the paint around the background of the lettered inscription. This ring, one of about two dozen examples known, has essentially Mint silver luster. The ring top retains 100% of the red paint around the "S" logo on Superman's chest. About 95% of the red color remains around the individual letters in the circle of text enclosing his image. This ring never had its bands expanded for sizing to an individual's finger. However, we note for full accuracy that, as made, the left side band has a slightly more rounded arc to it than the right band which is slightly less curved, especially near the ring's top. Visually, this is seen only when the ring is viewed from the front or back "edges on". As these rings go, this is an incredible NM example and as nice as any we have ever seen or offered in our 52 years.
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