Sometimes smaller really is better. Hake’s Americana & Collectibles auction #198, which closed Thursday, September 10, 2009, featured fewer items than most of the company’s recent events, but it featured the best sell-through rate in several auctions.

“While the auction was smaller in the number of lots we offered, the quality and scarcity of the items clearly appealed to collectors. We had more bidders than in our last auction, and the after auction interest in the small percentage of remaining pieces has been terrific,” said Alex Winter, General Manager of Hake’s.

Some of the highlights included an inspirational Sleeping Beauty painting by noted illustrator Eyvind Earle that brought $8,222 , a complete Wizard of Oz Waddle Book that received $8,096 , a copy of Babe Ruth’s Own Book of Baseball signed by Ruth himself sold for $7,147, a rare ceramic figurine depicting Bambi’s father the Great Prince of the Forest brought $6,268 , an original piece of Little Lulu specialty art drew $5,167 , a Gaines File copy of Tales From the Crypt #20 scared up $3,795 , a complete set of Popeye Comic gum folders with their rare box realized $3,610 , a charming porcelain Mickey Mouse Rosenthal figurine brought $3,298 , a specialty piece of original art by Don Rosa showing a murderous Donald Duck drew $3,289 and a complete set of Mickey Mouse gum cards sold for $3,130. All prices include the 15% buyer’s premium.

These are only a few of the strong prices seen in this auction. For a full list of realized prices, click here.

To view the remaining pieces from the auction, visit Hake’s website, www.hakes.com.