"SUPERMEN OF AMERICA - MEMBER" THE FIRST SUPERMAN RING & 1940 CONTEST PRIZE (OVERSTREET COLLECTION).
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End Date:
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 9:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Wednesday, November 20, 2024 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 here. The first Superman contest was announced in Superman #3 w/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 w/the rest being generic toys or cash (see next lot for related letter). Those that were Superman related were a sweatshirt w/Superman emblem and this 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 example does have some small traces/areas of missing red paint but much remains. Has minor scattered trace of silver luster wear, mostly just along edges, but most bright silver luster remains. The thin layer of gold luster on center design was very susceptible to wear but most of this remains. All of the noted minor condition issues are mostly/only seen upon close inspection. Still an exceptional example, VF overall. One of the rarest and most sought after Superman items w/only about two dozen examples known. Robert M. Overstreet Ring Collection.
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