Batman comic sells for $492,937

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DALLAS, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A Batman comic book a California man bought for a dime in 1939 when he was 13 has sold for $492,937, Heritage Auctions said Thursday.

The price exceeded pre-auction estimates by 20 percent. It includes the 19.5 percent buyer's premium paid by winning bidders in the auction.

"I just have a feeling of elation. After I get home I can sit down and probably relax for a little while. I'm happy that it's over with, and I'm so extremely grateful to the people with Heritage. I didn't know how much the book was really worth. I've been on sort of a merry-go-round. At my age, people don't expect to be interviewed from press and TV," said the volume's 84-year-old seller, Robert Irwin.

"This copy of Detective Comics No. 27, the famous and very valuable first appearance of 'The Batman,' was purchased by a collector who wants to remain anonymous. He placed his winning bid by telephone," Ed Jaster, senior vice president at Heritage, said. "Detective Comics No. 27 was published in May 1939, and Mr. Irwin bought it for 10 cents at a Sacramento newsstand when he was 13 years old. Six years ago, he discovered he still had the comic book, and he subsequently turned down a $100,000 offer for it from a collector. Looking at today's price, I'd say that was a smart move."