Highest CGC-Graded Action Comics #1 Reaches $1.6 Million In Bidding

The highest CGC rated copy of Action Comics#1 is being auctioned off via eBay, and has already reached $1.6 million in bidding after just one day.

The issue, originally published in 1938, features the debut of Superman, the first superhero. The book sports a CGC grade of 9.0 and is being sold by collectibles dealer Darren Adams.

One of the most highly sought after issues by comic collectors, there are believed to be as few as 40 to 50 unrestored original copies of Action Comics #1 still in existence. Published in 1938 by DC Comics, the book's first issue had a print run of 200,000 copies and a cover price of just 10 cents.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity to acquire the most valuable comic book in existence and we look forward to sharing a piece of pop culture history with the global eBay community," said Gene Cook, general manager of emerging verticals for eBay Marketplaces.

The Adams book's CGC 9.0 is the highest grade ever assigned to an Action Comics #1 by the leading third-party grading service. Among the copies that have been graded by CGC is only one other 9.0, which had cream to off-white pages. That Action Comics #1 was sold for a record $2,161,000 in 2011 by ComicConnect.com.

"The quality and preservation of the Adams Action #1 is astounding," said Paul Litch, CGC primary grader. "The book looks and feels like it just came off the newsstand. It is supple, the colors are deep and rich, and the quality of the white pages is amazing for a comic that is 76 years old."

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The issue is on auction for nine more days, with bidding ending August 24, at cc.eBay.com/action-comics. A free digital viewer of the comic book's inside pages is also available on the CGC website atCGCcomics.com/1134755001.