Two weeks ago on Friday, February 8, 2008 in his Toy Shop Auction, Joe Soucy of Seaside Toys had a bidding war amongst seven collectors. The object of their desire? A 1954 Superman lunchbox in such good shape, that only six or seven others in the country rival its condition. Considered the holy grail of lunchboxes, the 1954 Superman broke records selling for $19,425.

Described by Soucy as an average guy, the winning bidder is an advanced collector who has always wanted this box.  As Soucy explained, he “stepped up to the plate and stayed until about 3 o’clock in the morning” to get the box.

The auction included 151 items. Along with the Superman lunchbox, a Disney White Castle unused store stock lunch box with all paperwork, including three labels still attached to the lunchbox, one label being “Win a Free Trip to Disneyland” with entry slip sold for $1,785. A Gene Autry lunchbox in the original box with the paperwork inside the contents sold for $1,850.

Soucy has been doing auctions for seven or eight years in Toy Shop under Seaside Toys. Specializing in lunch boxes of high end condition and rare quality, he has done shows for about ten years in Pennsylvania, New England, and Maryland.