As the Cold War deepens, the United States severs relations with Cuba. John F. Kennedy is inaugurated as the nation’s 35th president. He promptly appoints his brother Robert Kennedy U.S. Attorney General (above). Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space, followed by American Alan Shepard a few weeks later. The Beatles perform for the first time at the Cavern Club, while in America, fans make Patsy Cline’s I Fall To Pieces a top hit. Moviegoers flock to see West Side Story and The Guns of Navarone. Barbie gets a boyfriend when the Ken doll is introduced.
COMIC BOOKS
Looking to revive an under-performing comics company, Stan Lee launched The Fantastic Four, Marvel’s first superhero team, with cover and interior art by Jack Kirby. A copy of Fantastic Four #1, graded CGC NM- 9.2, realized $203,150 at a July 2012 Heritage auction. Just two decades earlier, this same copy was sold at auction for $27,600.
SPORTS
“Nodders” are common baseball-game giveaways these days, but they date back more than 50 years. While no more than five promotional nodders exist for NFL teams from the early 1960s, only a model from the New York Yankees is believed to have been produced to represent our national pastime. Today, only two are known to survive from the 1961-62 seasons. This 14-inch doll realized $59,750 at a May 2015 auction.
VINTAGE WINE
The prestigious Bordeaux, Chateau Lafie Rothschild, has commanded the attention of connoisseurs around the world since classified as a First Growth in 1855. One rare double-magnum of 1961 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, noted for its cedar and spice character, realized $4,636 at a March 2015 Heritage auction.
MOVIE POSTERS
In her role as Holly Golightly, Audrey Hepburn created one of American cinema’s most iconic characters. Based on Truman Capote’s 1958 novella, Breakfast at Tiffany’s was one of the year’s top-grossing movies. An original one sheet realized $13,145 at a November 2011 auction.