With each auction, Hake’s Americana has been drawing more and more comic
fans to their site. Forty years ago they started as a local outfit auctioning
political buttons and today they are bringing thousands of different
collectibles to collectors. Their listing of Showcase #4 is a perfect
example of how much they have grown. This historic issue is just one of over 200
CGC books inside the auction.

“For almost any collector out there, this
is one of the must have books,” says Alex Winter, the General Manager of Hake’s
Americana. ” I was so happy to see this book come into the auction. First, we
are happy to assist the consignor in finding a new owner for their book. Equally
important is that this important title shows our firm commitment to bringing
comic collectors the best we possibly can.”

Winter is not exaggerating
when he says the book is important. The issue is considered by many to be the
very beginning of the Silver Age. Flash’s first appearance has been chronicled
in numerous publications. The story behind it is legendary, but it can be boiled
down to one detail; the ability of Julie Schwartz, DC’s editor in 1956, to get
the book out to the public.

It was Schwartz who was responsible for
coordinating all the details. See, the powers at DC thought they should just try
bringing back the original Flash, Schwartz campaigned for the idea the Flash
should be reinvented for the modern jet age.

Some argue, with validity,
that the Silver Age may have begun with the appearance of the Martian Manhunter,
the first new hero in quite a while. Still the fact remains that the success of
Showcase #4 may have saved the comic industry.

Hake’s is listing
a 9.2 CGC copy of this historic book inside their current Spring Auction.
Details on this and the over 200 other CGC books listed in the auction are
available at http://www.hakes.com.