Remember the paperback covers that stopped you cold in the bookstore, or the calendar hanging in the barber shop with the cheerful pin-up girl? Original paintings like those just paid off in a big way.

At Heritage Auctions’ Oct. 29 Illustration Art Signature Auction, a “Princess of Mars” illustration hit $175,000 and the original art for a Stephen King “Skeleton Crew” cover set a record at $13,750. The sale totaled $2.6 million across 366 lots.

The numbers come from a Heritage press release dated Oct. 30, 2026. Heritage reports 1,577 international bidders took part and 99.5% of the lots sold.

A 1917 Princess Of Mars Illustration Brings $175,000 From The Bob Barrett Collection

The top lot was Frank Schoonover’s “Where is the Key, Sola?”, an interior illustration for “A Princess of Mars” from 1917. It sold for $175,000 and came from the Bob Barrett collection.

“A Princess of Mars” is the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs adventure about a hero who finds himself on the red planet. Schoonover’s painting captured a moment from the story, and collectors who love both science fiction and old book illustration were happy to pay for it.

It is a reminder that the pictures inside old books can be as valuable as the covers.

Gil Elvgren’s 1962 Calendar Painting Sells For $118,750

If you remember a calendar with a smiling pin-up girl in the garage or the barber shop, you know the style. Gil Elvgren’s “Rare Edition (Hold Everything)” was a 1962 Brown & Bigelow calendar illustration, and it sold for $118,750.

Those calendars were once handed out by businesses all over the country. People hung them on the wall and tore off the months without thinking about the painting behind the page.

The twist is what happened next. The original paintings, which were made as advertising, are now treated as fine art by serious collectors.

The Hildebrandt Brothers’ Cirith Ungol Brings $68,750 For A 1977 Tolkien Calendar

Fantasy fans had their moment too. The Hildebrandt brothers’ “Cirith Ungol,” painted for a 1977 Tolkien calendar, sold for $68,750.

The Hildebrandt brothers were famous in the 1970s for their Tolkien calendar art, and many readers first imagined Middle-earth through their eyes. A painting from that calendar is a link back to the days when you could hold a new Tolkien image on your wall.

For collectors, it is the kind of piece that carries nostalgia and craftsmanship in the same frame.

A 1931 Blue Book Painting Sets A $52,500 Record For Laurence Herndon

Pulp magazine fans got good news too. Laurence Herndon’s “The Land of Hidden Men,” made for Blue Book in 1931, sold for $52,500, a record for the artist.

Blue Book was one of the magazines that ran adventure fiction in the early 20th century, and its covers often featured dramatic scenes. A record result tells you that collectors are paying more attention to the artists behind the pulps.

That is a big shift from the days when the original art for a cheap magazine cover might have been thrown away after printing.

A Stephen King Skeleton Crew Cover Sets A Record At $13,750

The record that may matter most to readers is the one for Don Brautigam. His original cover for Stephen King’s “Skeleton Crew,” painted in 1985, sold for $13,750. That is the highest auction price for a book cover by the artist.

The painting came from Brautigam’s estate. For fans of the horror author, it is a chance to own the actual artwork behind a cover they may remember from their own bookshelf.

A four-figure result might look small next to a $175,000 sale, but a record is a record. It shows that interest in book cover art is growing.

“A Very Strong Sale Overall,” Says The Heritage Expert

Sarahjane Blum summed up the sale in her own words: “This was a very strong sale overall.”

The numbers back her up. A total of $2.6 million, 1,577 bidders from around the world and a 99.5% sell-through rate is a strong showing for a single day of illustration art.

For anyone with old books, calendars or magazines stored in the attic, the message is clear. Original art from these fields is finding a market, and the market is paying attention.

The sale also shows how the art world has changed its mind. Work once made to sell soap, calendars and paperbacks is now hung on gallery walls, and artists who worked on tight deadlines are finally getting their due.

What To Check If You Own Old Illustrations Or Pulp Art

If you own an old illustration, look for a signature in a corner and any notes on the back. Printed copies are much more common than originals, and an original will often show brush marks or the texture of the paint.

Keep any paperwork that shows where the piece came from. A clear history is a big help when a piece is sold.

Do not clean or restore a painting without advice. Handle it by the edges, keep it out of direct sun and ask an auction house or appraiser for an opinion before making any changes.

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