"What is the Platinum Age?" you may ask? Well, as most comic book enthusiasts will tell you, the history of the comic book as we know can be divided into a few different eras. The Golden Age of comics lasted from the 1930s to around 1956 and saw the rise of characters such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, The Sub-Mariner, Green Lantern, The Flash as well as the first superhero team, The Justice Society of America. The Silver Age, which ran during the mid-1950s through the early 1970s, gave rise to heroes like Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, The X-men, The Fantastic Four, Daredevil, The Mighty Thor and superhero teams The Avengers and The Justice League of America. The '70s and '80 gave rise to darker and grittier stories and reinterpretations of classic characters and has become known as the Bronze Age. Comics published from the mid 1980s to present day continue to blaze new trails and garner new readers.

In Hake's Americana & Collectibles current auction, Hake's brings forth another amazing selection of Platinum Age comic books, including a rare gem. There are two beautifully illustrated Buster Brown books; Foxy Grandpa is represented along with Alphonse and Gaston, Maud, Happy Hooligan and several great examples of the title Comic Monthly, which, like the majority of Platinum Age comic books, contained reprints of newspaper strips. The highlight of the Platinum comic book section would have to be the very rare copy of Little Sammy Sneeze, a book by Winsor McCay, creator of Little Nemo. This copy is one of seven known to exist, the others all in private collections.

These and numerous other great items are now available for your perusal online and the auction closes January 16^th through the 18^th. For more information, call toll-free, 1-866-404-9800, or check out Hake's website at www.hakes.com.

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