REMEMBERING THE U.S. BICENTENNIAL WITH A PEEK INTO THE HERITAGE AUCTIONS ARCHIVES
The United States celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak establish the Apple Computer Company. Jimmy Carter defeats incumbent Gerald Ford. NASA unveils its first space shuttle, the Enterprise. Nadia Comaneci becomes the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the Olympics, earning a total of seven perfect scores at the Montreal Games. And Heritage Auctions is founded.
MOVIE MEMORABILIA
Sylvester Stallone’s Oscar-winning film Rocky debuted in theaters in November 1976, introducing the world to his now iconic character, the underdog boxer Rocky Balboa. Stallone’s screen-worn black leather jacket from Rocky realized $325,000 at a November 2021 Heritage auction.
MODERN & CONTEMPORARY ART
A founding member of the op art movement, Hungary-born Victor Vasarely (1906-1997) called on his background as an art history student and professional graphic designer to create playful works celebrated for their use of optical illusion and hyper-stylized geometric shapes. His 1976 acrylic-on-canvas CHOKK sold for $300,000 at a May 2021 Heritage auction.
WATCHES & FINE TIMEPIECES
The company now known as Patek Philippe was founded in 1839 and has been known for its traditional Genevan watchmaking artistry ever since. An extremely rare and fine example of the brand’s Ref. 2499 model manufactured in 1976 sold at a December 2020 Heritage auction for $459,000.
SPORTS MEMORABILIA
A first-round pick in the 1975 NFL draft, Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton claimed the top ranking in an array of career categories, including rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards and more. His 1976 Topps rookie card, with a grade of SGC Gold Label Pristine 100, realized $228,000 at a February 2021 Heritage auction.
COMIC ART
Nicknamed “The Good Duck Artist,” Carl Barks (1901-2000) drew the early Donald Duck comic books and created Scrooge McDuck. The artist’s 1976 oil-on-Masonite Business as Usual, starring everyone’s favorite miserly fowl, sold at a February 2011 Heritage auction for $179,250.