Additional Coverage:
- ‘Pawn Stars’ boss Rick Harrison finds the first-ever Superman doll ‘really cool’ — but fails to buy it (marketrealist.com)
A rare piece of superhero history recently landed on the counter of the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Featured on an episode of “Pawn Stars,” a 1939 Superman doll, touted as the first-ever superhero action figure, caught the eye of Rick Harrison. The doll’s owner, John, a self-proclaimed “serious” toy collector, hoped to sell the vintage item, complete with its original packaging.
John emphasized the doll’s rarity and historical significance, claiming it was the first piece of Superman merchandise and that only a dozen or so original boxes still exist. Harrison, impressed with the piece, acknowledged Superman’s enduring popularity and the role of animated shorts in boosting the superhero’s fame during the mid-20th century.
Negotiations, however, didn’t fly as smoothly as Superman himself. John initially asked for $6,000.
While Harrison acknowledged the doll’s potential value, his initial offer of $2,000 fell far short of John’s expectations. John countered, citing a past auction where a similar doll fetched over $10,000.
Harrison, ever the pragmatist, pointed out market fluctuations and increased his offer to $2,500. Still, no deal was struck.
John revealed he had recently declined a $3,500 offer, making Harrison’s bid a non-starter. Ultimately, the Man of Steel’s doll remained in John’s possession, leaving Harrison empty-handed.