The auction will be held online and in Bruneau & Co’s gallery at 63 Fourth Avenue in Cranston. Sold will be graded comic books, comic art, Japanese toys, robots, more.

Cranston, RI, March 21, 2020 -- Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, in concert with Altered Reality Entertainment and Travis Landry, Bruneau & Co.’s Director of Pop Culture, will present a Spring Comic Book & Toy Auction on Saturday, April 4th, at 11 am Eastern time, online and in the Bruneau & Co. gallery at 63 Fourth Avenue in Cranston. More than 400 Pop Culture collectibles will be offered.

The auction is loaded with hundreds of graded rare comic books, generous key book lots, many Marvel and D.C. comics and a great collection of tin key wind, friction and battery-op Japanese robots and tin toys. Some nice original comic art will also come up for bid. The very first lot is a 1999 Nintendo Game Boy Pokémon yellow sealed video game graded CAS 90 (est. $500-$800).

“Our first comic and toy auction of the year is always an exciting one, and this catalog is certainly going to drive collectors wild,” Travis Landry said. “First Iron Man, first Groot, first Lizard, and first Red Hood – these are just some of the great keys we are offering.”

Mr. Landry added, “In addition to the great selection of comic books, toy collectors will be drooling for the collection of robots. Some are certainly the greatest examples to have come for sale in a long time. The Mirrorman and Zabitan from Akumaizer 3 are sure to attract attention.”

Kevin Bruneau, the president of Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, said, “With spring comes the retro nostalgic vibe to Bruneau & Co. Pop Culture auctions are some of the most fun in the gallery. There is a fine selection of original comic artwork including a watercolor by Dan Green for the Marvel Comics graphic novel Doctor Strange: Into Shamballa. It is an absolute masterpiece.”

The Dan Green original artwork for the graphic novel Doctor Strange: Into Shamballa is a beautiful single panel featuring Dr. Strange in Shamballa, surrounded by wisps of red wind with surreal biomorphic faces towering over him. The circa 1986 watercolor, with an image size of 13 inches by 5 ¼ inches, less the frame, is the ultimate Dr. Strange collectible (est. $1,000-$1,500).

Rare graded comic books will be plentiful and will be led by a copy of Marvel Comics Tales of Suspense #39 from March 1963, featuring the origin and first appearance of Iron Man, graded CGC 4.5 (est. $4,000-$6,000); and a copy of Marvel Comics Amazing Spider-Man #6 from Nov. 1963, with the first appearance and origin of the Lizard, graded CBCS 8.0 (est. $2,000-$3,000).

Two highly desirable comic books have identical estimates of $1,500-$2,000. One is a copy of DC Comics Detective Comics #168 from Feb. 1951, featuring the first appearance of the Red Hood identity and origin of the Joker, graded CGC 2.0. The other is a copy of Marvel Comics Incredible Hulk #181 from Nov. 1974, featuring the first full appearance of Wolverine, CGC 7.0.

A Bullmark Mirrorman Ultraman tin lithograph toy in the box, made in Japan circa 1978, graded C8.5+ for both box and toy, is wonderfully preserved example for the serious collector and has a pre-sale estimate of $700-$1,000. The graphics are clean and vibrant, making for a beautiful display, and the toy boasts a strong structure and undertray, to go with bright glossy lithography.

A Japanese Yoshiya Chief Robotman battery-op tin toy in the box, made in Japan around 1955, is expected to change hands for $600-$900. The toy is graded C8+, with minimal signs of wear, bright chrome and near-mint paint, with minimal light scattered scratching. It was tested and is working. The box is graded C7+ and shows vibrant graphics, despite some edge and end wear.

Online bidding will be offered by LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com, Bidsquare.com and bidLIVE.Bruneauandco.com, plus the mobile app “Bruneau & Co.” on iTunes or GooglePlay. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. To bid by phone, the number is 401-533-9980.

Bruneau & Co. is currently accepting quality consignments for that and all future auctions, with commissions as low as zero percent. Now would be a good time to clean out your attic. To contact Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers about consigning a single piece or an entire collection, you may send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Or, you can phone them at (401) 533-9980.

To learn more about Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers and the Spring Comic Book & Toy Auction on Saturday, April 4th, at 11 am Eastern, visit www.bruneauandco.com. Updates are posted often.

About Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers:
Established in 2015 by owner Kevin Bruneau, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers is an energetic and young auction house built on the backbone of over fifty years of combined experience in the antiques and auction world. Bruneau & Co. believes in bridging the gap between antique and contemporary utilizing modern day methods to market history in a fast-paced, ever-changing world. We take pride in orchestrating specialty and single owner catalogs giving proper and factual representation of any and all “cool” items of value. As a multifaceted company our expertise goes beyond the traditional antique; we follow market trends and bring to light what the public calls for. From its beginning, Bruneau & Co. has been partnered with Altered Reality Entertainment, parent company of Rhode Island Comic Con in organizing toy, comic, and collectible auctions bringing Pop Culture to a live auction environment. Our focus on emerging markets extends to contemporary and urban art, modern design, and Asian arts. To learn more, visit www.bruneauandco.com.

Media Contact:
Travis Landry
Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers
63 Fourth Avenue
Cranston, RI 02910 (USA)
401-533-9980
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http://www.bruneauandco.com

Los Angeles, CA, March 18, 2020 -- From charging electric scooters to selling plasma to winning a car on The Price Is Right, co-hosts Nick Turner and Nick Vatterott are on a mission to make one million dollars in Get Rich Nick, a weekly hour-long comedy podcast from the Earwolf Podcast Network.

Comedians Turner and Vatterott go into the field, sign up for a new task, and get first-hand knowledge about the real struggle behind side hustles and the gig economy. Their adventures have made them accidental experts on the gig economy and side hustles.

“We wanted to work on something together and it was either do a podcast or restore a muscle car,” says Turner. “Since we know nothing about cars, we did this podcast. I wish there was a podcast like ours when I was in college that gave different ideas and reviews on how to make money!”

“We get to bring listeners along to Tijuana or a night of babysitting without them having to deal with all the screaming and vomit,” laughs Vatterott.

Their favorite gig was winning a car on The Price is Right. Notes Vatterott, “The Price is Right was probably the most fun because it was so surreal, especially when the ‘Pod Gods’ smile down on you and you've won a new car! We still can't believe it. Tijuana was a lot of fun, too!”

The duo is currently lining up episodes where they investigate self-publishing an e-book, buying Bitcoin, and ridesharing. Turner adds, “People have been bugging us to do a ridesharing episode, so we're going to drive for Uber since Uber is sort of the poster child for the new gig economy.”

Exactly how much money have Turner and Vatterott made so far? “I would say that we are a million away from a million, minus a car!” jokes Turner.

Nick Turner is a regular cast member on VH1’s Best Week Ever, I Love the 2000's, Game Show Network's Lie Detectors, and TruTV's Almost Genius. His debut album, Yelling, was released in 2016 through Comedy Central Records. Turner has done stand-up on NBC's Late Night with Seth Meyers and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He is the co-host of Deckheads (iHeartRadio) and, has recently starred in the Comedy Central digital series, Ya Killin’ Me!.

Nick Vatterott is the recipient of the prestigious Andy Kaufman Award and named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the "break-outs" of the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. He’s performed on Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and written for Real Time with Bill Maher. Vatterott’s comedy album, For Amusement Only, was named one of the “Top Ten Albums of the Year” by Vulture. Chicago magazine chose Vatterott as “The Funniest Man in Chicago”.

Get Rich Nick is produced by Lyra Smith and Kimmie Lucas for Earwolf Podcast Network. Their websites are https://www.earwolf.com/show/get-rich-nick/ & GetRichNick.com.

Media Contact:
Andrew Pemberton-Fowler
Pemberton Fowler LLC
1621 W. 25th St., #105
San Pedro, CA 90732
323-316-0342
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http://www.pembertonfowler.com/pr
https://twitter.com/PR_PFLLC

The sale will be conducted by John McInnis Auctioneers, online and live in the gallery. Pinballs and slots are also in the sale.

Amesbury, MA, USA, March 14, 2020 -- A Collector’s Novelty Auction featuring the G-Man and tobacciana collections of the late FBI agent William L. Rosenbaum – plus vintage pinball machines, slot machines, general advertising and novelty lots from other collectors – will be held Saturday, March 21st, by John McInnis Auctioneers, online and in the Amesbury gallery at 76 Main Street.

The auction will begin promptly at 11 am Eastern time. Doors will open at 8 am for an all-day auction preview that will last throughout the sale. Private previews by appointment will be held on Thursday and Friday, March 19th and 20th. To schedule an appointment, call 800-822-1417.

For those unable to attend in person, Internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. Terms and more information are available at www.mcinnisauctions.com.

John McInnis Auctioneers wants everyone to know that it is taking the COVID-19 Coronavirus threat very seriously and is taking every precaution possible to ensure a safe and enjoyable auction experience. This includes sanitizing all hard surfaces, handrails and door handles. Hand sanitizer and wet wipes will be available.

The staff has been trained in following the practices recommended by the CDC and is being updated as new information is released. Anyone who is exhibiting cold or flu-like symptoms, or has traveled to an impacted community or has been in contact with someone who has, is asked not to attend the auction.

William L. Rosenbaum served as an FBI special agent in Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Boston in a career that began on November 16, 1970 and lasted until 1995. Along the way, he indulged his passion for the items in this auction that will be passed along to a new generation of collectors.

As an FBI agent, it made sense that Bill Rosenbaum would collect G-Man items. Like the large group of FBI “Wanted” poster copies, including ones for John Dillinger, Clyde Barrow, Bonnie Parker and Osama Bin Laden, being offered as one lot (est. $100-$200); and the framed signed photo of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, plus four Hoover and FBI-related items (est. $100-$200).

The G-Man collectibles had a lighter, more whimsical side, too, with items like the following:

- A G-Men tin litho friction toy motorcycle, 10 inches long, made in Japan by Hadson and featuring a steerable hard rubber front wheel and G-Men graphics (est. $300-$600).

- A Mustang toy car named the FBI Commander, made in Japan by Bondai, a friction drive heavy gauge metal scale model with top light, siren and original box (est. $150-$300).

- A Marx Siren Sparkling tin litho toy machine gun in the original box (est. $50-$100).

The tobacco-related items in Mr. Rosenbaum’s collection consist of vintage advertising labels, packaging and the like; no actual tobacco is being sold. But empty soft packs will be a prominent part of lot 263 – 35 pieces related just to Lucky Strike cigarettes. Included are game cards, paper dolls, magazine ads featuring Amelia Earhart and Dolores Del Rio and more (est. $300-$400).

A framed advertising poster for Old Honesty plug tobacco (“Never Varies, Always the Best”), depicting a bearded man cutting off a piece of plug, plus a plug tobacco bag, should reach $100-$200; while a Mohawk Pipe Mixture box and a Mohawk Chief 5-cent cigar tin with a separated top, the tin measuring 5 ½ inches by 6 ¼ inches, will be offered as one lot (est. $800-$1,000).

A Daval Penny Pack trade stimulator, set up for gumball distribution and featuring cigarette packs on the reels, including Lucky Strike, Camel, Chesterfield, Old Gold, Philip Morris and Spud, has an estimate of $300-$600. Also, a Sunset Trail 5-cent cigar tin by the Roby Cigar Company, with multiple graphics of a man and woman on horseback, should hit $100-$200.

The pinball machines, slots and coin-ops from other consignors are generally higher-ticket items. A Mills “Hightop Bonus” 5-cent slot machine and base, in good working condition, is expected to hit the jackpot for $800-$1,600. The three-reel, nickel slot features a cast aluminum front, back door, key and coin box. It sits atop a sturdy oak base with a cast chrome figural emblem.

A tennis-themed pinball machine produced by D. Gottlieb & Company in 1976, one of 2,900 made, designed by Ed Krynski and art by Gordon Morison, also had an estimate of $800-$1,600. Music lovers will swoon over a Seeburg 100 Select-O-Matic jukebox produced in 1953 that holds up to fifty 45 rpm records and features colorful, light-up columns (est. $750-$1,500).

Miscellaneous items will include an antique barber shop hot towel steamer, 57 inches tall, having a nickel-plated steamer and boiler section with overlaid base and tray (est. $2,000-$3,000); and a four-piece, six-sheet movie poster for the 1962 film It Happened in Athens (20th Century Fox), starring Jayne Mansfield, measuring an impressive 79 ½ inches by 78 ½ inches (est. $200-$400).

John McInnis Auctioneers is always accepting quality merchandise for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at 978-388-0400; or, you can email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To learn more about John McInnis Auctioneers and the March 21st auction of the Bill Rosenbaum collections please visit www.mcinnisauctions.com.

About John Mcinnis Auctioneers:
John McInnis Auctioneers is an estate appraisal and auction company with the largest full-service auction house on Boston’s North Shore. The galleries, located in historic Amesbury, Massachusetts are licensed, bonded and insured for the sale of antiques, fine art and real estate. Estate appraisal, consulting, marketing and liquidation services are carried out confidentially and with courtesy. Visit www.mcinnisauctions.com.

Media Contact:
John McInnis
John McInnis Auctioneers
76 Main Street
Amesbury, MA, USA 01913
978-388-0400
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http://www.mcinnisauctions.com

Morocco’s strategy to enhance the Kingdom’s ancient medinas (older parts) of various cities, the King of Morocco is launching a new program in Fez that aims at rehabilitating ancient cities, preserving traditional trades and improving the living conditions of citizens.

Berlin, Germany., March 12, 2020 -- In the Framework of Morocco’s strategy to enhance the Kingdom’s ancient medinas (older parts) of various cities, the King of Morocco is launching a new mega program that aims at rehabilitating cities, preserving traditional trades and improving the living conditions of citizens. Last week, The King launched a program to preserve the architectural and historical character of the Medina of Fez and to promote the influence of this millennial city. This new program concerns the restoration and rehabilitation of the historical assets of the medina of Fez (4 sites), the redevelopment and upgrading of urban areas (9 sites), the strengthening of the tourist and economic attractiveness of this Museum City (33 sites), the development of local social facilities (171 sites) and the treatment of buildings at risk of ruin (980 sites).

While in Fez, the King visited the restoration site of Khrachfiyine Foundouq (an inn situated in the heart of the old city), a project that is part of the development program of the Medina of Fez (2018-2023). This restoration project should, at the end of the work, participate in the preservation and development of the historical heritage and the promotion of crafts in the foundouqs as well as improving the working conditions for artisans. In addition to the restoration of the Foundouq, 11 other historic monuments and emblematic sites, 10 places of worship (mosques and Koranic schools), 40 places of well-being (hammams, fountains and health centers), 39 traditional crafts and commercial sites will be restored. Dar Al Makina which receives each year thousands of guests from around the world attending festivals in Fes will also get restored. The aim is to improve the urban landscape and the architectural environment of the Fez Medina.

Always in the context of strengthening the tourist attractiveness of the medina of Fez, a program has been implemented to develop car parks, rehabilitate public spaces and install an information system (2017-2022). This program aims at improving accessibility to the old medina through the development of eight car parks. In addition, the program also consists of the paving the streets and alleys, squares of the Medina as well as the installation of information kiosks for the service of locals and tourists. The rate of progress of the projects for paving streets, alleys, squares is at 44%, squares of the Medina at 74%, and installation of information terminals at 75%.

The City of Fez is 1,200-year-old. It was founded in 789 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981. Once in Fez, visitors’ senses are stimulated with aromas through its 9,500 alleyways. At the heart of the old city is the Kairaouine university which may be the world’s oldest university—it was established in 859. Given the fact that the medina of Fez has no structure for cars or cranes to access buildings at risk of collapsing, Morocco has been working tirelessly to rehabilitate this architectural jewel. In fact, more than 2,200 buildings at risk have already rehabilitated already. Fez has over 60 seqqâya (public fountains), which testify to the Almoravid dynasty’s clever civil engineers. They diverted rivers, made dams and built an intricate canal network to distribute the water throughout Morocco. The fountains in the medina feature brilliant zellij (tilework).

To Conclude, the Fez medina development program will cost approximately $9.2 million to enhance the touristic appeal of 33 museums and heritage sites in the city.

Friends of Morocco is a nonprofit organization with branches around the world. The main objective is to promote Morocco and to build bridges and connect people who have fallen in Love with this country, adopted its culture and made it their 2nd home.

Contact:
Elle P. Wolfgang
Friends of Morocco
Berlin, Germany
015213454385
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.freundevonmarokko.de