The X-Men #1 was sold for a world record price of $101,000 (£60,000) during a comic book auction in Arnold, MO. The landmark issue was just one of many rare books on offer during a mass sale that took place over two days. Some 3,000 comics changed hands at the event, generating a total of $1.1m (£662,690).

The collection arrived on the market following the death of a woman whose late son had amassed the horde during his childhood in the 1960s. A cousin, who remains anonymous, inherited the books along with the house that they were found in.

According to Tina Weiman of Mound City Auctions, it is unknown whether the original owner knew how much the comics are worth.

“I don’t think he necessarily knew the value of them,” she said. “I don’t know when he looked at them last. I know that that were pulled out from underneath the basement steps.”

The X-Men #1 was written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby. The comic originally appeared on the market in September 1963.