Original 1966 Batman No. 1 trading card sells for record price

By Charlie Fenton

An original Topps 1966 Batman trading card from the first-ever release has sold for a record price of £163,000 ($219,600).

The “Batmania” craze swept across popular culture in 1966 and found one of its most memorable collecting expressions in Topps’ original Batman trading cards.

The 55-card “Black Bat” set is thought to have transformed the adventures of Gotham City’s masked protector into a vividly illustrated cardboard narrative.

They were issued alongside the successful ABC television series titled “Batman” starring Adam West and Burt Ward.

Each card featured painted artwork on the front and a portion of the unfolding story on its orange reverse.

Standing at the head of that landmark production is card No. 1, appropriately titled “The Batman.”

It is frequently characterized by collectors as Batman’s rookie card as it introduces the Caped Crusader and serves as the key to the entire Black Bat series.

The set’s dynamic artwork was created by celebrated illustrator Norman Saunders and comic artist Bob Powell, with the black bat-shaped logo distinguishing this initial release from the later Red Bat and Blue Bat series.

More from this section

James Webb Space Telescope captures ‘Cat’s Head Nebula’

Older Americans who vote live longer than those who don’t – new research

Nov. 3 Is National Sandwich Day — Sink Your Teeth into 11 Deals

The card sold for £134,167.50 ($180,055) after a short bidding war on Oct. 23 at Heritage Auctions headquarters in Dallas.

With buyer’s premium, the card went for a whopping £163,699.72 ($219,600), a record price for the card, according to the auctioneers.

No version of the same card has ever been graded higher, according to the seller, Heritage Auctions.

High-grade examples face numerous obstacles after six decades, including centering, corner wear, print quality and the vulnerability of the card’s colored borders.

But the card overcame the challenges to earn itself a PSA Mint 9 assessment.

At the time of cataloging the PSA population stands at only 13 examples in this lofty grade, with none certified at the Gem Mint 10 level.

It therefore shares the highest position in PSA’s census for one of the most important Batman cards ever produced, according to the auctioneer.

It was sold as part of the auctioneer’s Fall Sports Catalog Auction.

There have since been 12 primary blockbuster films made about the superhero, including actors such as Christian Bale and George Clooney.