Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s has announced its first The Northern Collection Auction, described as one of the most important collections to reach the European market, representing the life’s work of a dedicated collector who sought to own every comic book ever produced.
Spanning the Golden Age through the Modern Age, this auction, taking place Friday 27th March 2026 features standout issues of US comics from every era, including Mad #1, Tales of Suspense #39, Amazing Fantasy #15, Vampirella #1, House of Secrets #92, among many others.
The auction follows the discovery of a massive hidden trove of thousands of rare American comics in Sweden: an extensive archive spans multiple decades and includes iconic key issues from major publishers.
The new owner and the original collector – both of whom wish to remain anonymous, for fear the collection could be targeted for theft – then invited Bryson Johnson, co-owner of Comics Heaven in Stockholm, to view this lifelong stockpile. Many of the items remain in exceptional condition, having been untouched in decades.
Due to its immense cultural and historical importance, the collection has been granted a CGC custom label, meaning many of the books will be graded and encapsulated with a unique “Northern Collection” label to preserve its provenance. The collection, alongside other notable comics, will now come to the global market via a series of auctions with Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s.
Carefully assembled over decades, the collection offers collectors and enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire material that is seldom available in comparable breadth and quality, with highlights that span superheroes, horror, science fiction, satire, and the underground movement. Each era is represented not only by its most iconic milestones, but also by the overlooked and elusive issues that complete runs and elevate a collection from impressive to truly definitive.
This is the first of many parts to be offered by Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s.
“When we were first invited to inspect the collection, we couldn’t believe the scale,” said Iain Murphy, CEO of Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s. “This is the most comprehensive archive I have ever seen. The new owner described moving boxes of old VHS tapes only to find pristine back issues of the most famous Marvel characters in history sitting underneath.”
“Discovering this collection was mind-blowing,” added Bryson Johnson, Co-Owner of Comics Heaven. “The original owner was a true completist – his goal was to acquire every US comic book ever produced, he must have got close and he never sold a single one. We are looking at titles that haven’t been seen in decades, it is a cultural goldmine of huge significance.”
Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s represents the convergence of two legendary collecting houses – Stanley Gibbons (established in 1856) and Baldwin’s (established in 1872) – now united as a comprehensive auction house whilst each brand continues to serve collectors in their specialist fields.
Today, Stanley Gibbons continues as the world’s leading stamp specialist, Baldwin’s remains Britain’s premier coin dealer, and Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s brings together their combined expertise as the auction house where every type of collection finds its perfect home.
• Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s The Northern Collection 4.00pm Friday 27th March 2026 | Part 1 | Sale Number: CB26001 | View the Catalogue | You must be registered to bid
• Video: A Closer Look at the Northern Collection
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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