PROFILES IN HISTORY FOUNDER CREATED LARGEST AUCTIONEER OF HOLLYWOOD MEMORABILIA
Profiles in History founder Joseph Maddalena has been named executive vice president at Heritage Auctions. Maddalena over 35 years built California-based Profiles in History into the world’s largest auctioneer of Hollywood memorabilia and popular culture’s most coveted keepsakes.
“This is one of the most significant moves Heritage has made in the past 40 years,” says Heritage CEO and Co-Chairman Steve Ivy. “Joe will be based at Heritage world headquarters in Dallas, but will maintain an active presence in California.”
Since its inception in 1985, Profiles in History has brought countless iconic items to market, from Luke Skywalker’s light saber and Dorothy’s ruby slippers to Indiana Jones’ whip and Peter Fonda’s Easy Rider chopper. Profiles in History holds numerous Guinness World Records and has hosted some of the most famous sales in Hollywood, including the 2011 Debbie Reynolds auction that made international headlines when Marilyn Monroe’s Seven Year Itch “subway dress” realized $5.52 million.
Maddalena cites Heritage Auctions’ collector-focused auction experience, as well as offices across the United States and around the world, as reasons for the move. “Heritage is at the cutting edge of collecting.”
PEOPLE
RICHARD ADAMS has joined Heritage Auctions’ Beverly Hills office as senior numismatist. Adams comes to Heritage from Salt Lake City, Utah, where he served as buyer, grader, wholesaler and appraiser of U.S. and world coins, currency and stamps. He will focus on appraisals and consignments.
MARK BORCKARDT, Heritage’s senior numismatist and cataloger, is joining the company’s Chicago staff. “I will divide my time between the Chicago and Dallas offices, and will be available to meet with clients for special projects at both locations,” says Borckardt, named the American Numismatic Association’s 2020 Numismatist of the Year.
JAMIE HENDERSON has joined Heritage’s Chicago office as a fine jewelry consignment director. Henderson spent the previous nine years at Leslie Hindman/Hindman Auctions as a cataloger and specialist in fine jewelry, timepieces and artisan jewelry.
MATTHEW McGEE has joined Heritage’s Chicago office as a comics consignment director. McGee previously managed the world-renowned St. Mark’s Comics in New York City, and later managed back-issue operations at Midtown Comics.
Modern Sports Cards Auction A Hit
An autographed 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan, graded PSA NM 7, Auto 8, realized $1.44 million.
For the first time as the largest sports auction house in the world, Heritage Auctions hosted an auction dedicated to modern-era sports cards.
At the February 2021 auction, an autographed 1997 Michael Jordan card realized more than $1.4 million to become the most expensive Jordan card ever sold at auction. The event overall realized $7.5 million, with almost every one of the 437 cards offered exceeding pre-auction estimates
“While our hobby has primarily focused on vintage treasures, 2020 ushered in the modern era with a vengeance, and these auctions intend to service and enhance that soaring demand,” says Chris Ivy, Heritage’s director of sports auctions. “A new generation of deeply engaged collectors serves as a harbinger of a bright future for this hobby for decades to come.”
Weekly Comics Event Smashes Record
An Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962), graded CGC Apparent VG 4.0, realized $19,200 at the Feb. 15 auction.
Heritage Auctions’ weekly comics auctions continue breaking sales records, signaling a robust vintage comics market.
The company’s Sunday & Monday Comics, Animation, Video Games & Art Weekly Online Auction, which closed Feb. 15 on HA.com, reached $694,430 in sales – the highest total ever for these weekly events. The event, which included 1,147 lots and drew 3,021 bidders over two days, surpassed the previous record of $672,569, set the previous week.
“The market is beyond robust,” says Heritage Auctions Senior Vice President Ed Jaster. “I’m so pleased our consignors are doing well and our buyers continue to add important pieces to their collections.”
This article appears in the Spring 2021 edition of The Intelligent Collector magazine.