The world's most expensive Comic (and photograph)

[pannoni1]

Apparently, with still about 15 hours to go as of this posting, it's already at $1,552,000, the most ever considering that in 1997 it only sold for $150,000!
Really, now is a good time to get that TMNT #1 first printing, as you can get a 9.0 for around $2000 on a good day; and as they say, only the holy grail appreciates the best. The catch is though is that this is not only the highest grade for it's type (Superman #1, June 1938], but also has some distinctive features, such as being stolen by actor and fan Nicolas Cage. There are only around 100 copies that exist.
http://www.supermansupersite.com/1129246.html

P.S. Even though that the posting above has a good story, this may qualify for news of the weird. Who would want to spend $4.3 million on a photograph that's digital and is just another one of the Rhine River (and was just taken in 1999, hardly considered antique)?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57323385/gursky-photo-sets-$4.3m-auction-record

[Redeemer]

I still cant believe that this comic book is selling for over a million dollars:o

[MrPliggins]

I collected comics for a long time, and I have to say I never thought I'd see a day where a comic book would sell for a million dollars. I still remember the first Overstreet I got in 1987...Action Comics #1 was only worth $30,000 in near mint condition. Of course that was before CGC came around..

[pannoni1]

Final bid: $2,161,000

Seller: I'll take a 5,000 square foot house, a Mercedes S-Class, a four-week trip around the world, and a dozen 1 ounce gold coins, please!

In other words, this is a magnitude 8.2 collectible on the Pannoni1 scale (1.0 is face value, 7.0 is a million times face!) A major shock to fans who are loyal to not just Superman, but comics in general. And a bit off topic, I can't believe a limited edition for simply a CATALOG of Elizabeth Taylor's auction is going for $2500! Really, most of what you get on eBay is still a nice bargain; it's when it gets into the upper four figures when it really starts to click on you!

The one thing that I'd wish winners would do more is about how they'll preserve them. As you can see, this comic was stolen, so I feel that security measures (bank vault, museum box) should be done better to prevent such elite collectibles from crime; plus I feel if something is so valuable, it should just go to a museum instead; but unfortunately many museums' budget can't attain so many modern pieces they end up in elite hands instead. Also, I feel that such popular stories really should only be read by that 1% we've been discussing. Even for the upper-middle class this auction is out of budget. For the average fan there should be a good message, "I know you're not privledged to own this item, but the spirit of which should be remembered for all."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/nicolas-cage-superman-comic-record-2-million-sale-267770