Huge Caped Crusader RC Sale Shakes Up List
Topps’ debut set of Batman cards, released on the heels of the hit ABC television series Batman in 1966, remains one of the most covetable and enduring non-sports trading card sets in history. The set’s iconic status was displayed again on Thursday, July 18, when a 1966 Topps Batman rookie card sold for an all-time high $45,000 at Heritage Auctions.
The landmark set features artwork from famed pulp artist Norman Saunders. Saunders began working for Topps in 1958. He was hired to paint over photographs of baseball players who had been traded so that the cards showed players on their new team. He is also well-known for his work on Topps’ popular 1962 Mars Attacks series.
While many more recent Topps Batman cards are still highly sought-after, the dominance and desirability of the inaugural 1966 set are undeniable. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable cards from the set that started it all.
1966 Topps Batman #1 The Batman
the Card
•stunning in its simplicity
• one of the most recognizable Batman uniforms, a winged Batman is set against striking red background, with bat symbol calling him to action
the story
• unquestionably the Card that defines the entire Batman series
• accounts for top ten batman card series sales of all-time
the sale
•$45,000
•sold at auction on july 18, 2024
1966 Topps Batman #36 The Riddler
THE Card
•one of batman’s most infamous villains mischievously grinning
• set against black question mark
•iconic green costume and black eye mask
the story
• most valuable non-batman Card in series history
• sold Card an extremely rare Mint 10
the sale
• $5400
•sold at auction on july 13, 2023
1966 Topps Batman #33 The Enemies Clash
THe Card
• exceptionally-detailed capture of fight sequence between catwoman and batman
• action shot featuring an early example of a word describing the attack
the story
• most valuable multi-character batman card of all time
• remains only mint 10 of this Card sold
the sale
• $4,920
• sold at auction on march 23, 2024
1966 Topps Batman #14 Nightly Patrol
the Card
•batman winging off a building with his sidekick robin
•background featuring the gotMarchity skyline
the story
•most valuable batman-and-robin card of all time
•one of two known examples of this Card with mint 10 grade
the sale
• $4,920
• sold at auction on march 23, 2024
1966 Topps Batman #52 Winged Giant
The Card
• captivating image of batman battling with a massive bird
• background features silhouetted mountain ridge and a city at night
the story
• most valuable batman card featuring a monster
• one of two known examples of this Card with mint 10 grade
the sale
• $4,080
• sold at auction on march 23, 2024
1966 Topps Batman Cello Box
The set
• iconic topps hobby card box design
• includes 36 unopened packs
• features listed price of 10 cents per pack
the box
• most valuable batman card box of all time
what they’re saying
• $93,000
• sold at auction on February 25, 2024
