Back to the Future Graded by CGC Home Video Takes Top Spot in Heritage Sale

Great Scott! The sealed Back to the Future realized $10,000, setting a new record for highest price realized by a videocassette certified by CGC Home Video.

Posted on: 8/28/2023

In March, Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) launched CGC Home Video™, a world-class certification service providing expert authentication, grading and encapsulation for VHS and Betamax videocassettes. Since launching, CGC Home Video has graded thousands of videocassettes, many of which have already been featured in auctions.

On June 29, a sealed Blade Runner VHS graded CGC 9.0 A++ and pedigreed as the First VHS Graded by CGC Home Video (lot 19016) realized an impressive $5,750 in a Heritage Auctions sale, becoming the highest-selling CGC-certified videocassette. But Blade Runner's time with the title was short-lived: less than two months. Now, a sealed Back to the Future graded CGC 9.2 A+ has realized a hefty $10,000.

The sealed Back to the Future VHS, MCA Home Video (1986) graded CGC 9.2 A+ (lot 19016) is one of the first VHS releases of the classic sci-fi film. The movie tells the story of Marty McFly, a teenager who travels back in time with the help of Doc Brown, an eccentric scientist. In the past, he inadvertently stops his parents from falling in love, and must work to restore the timeline and get back to his own time. Back to the Future was a widespread success, and sealed home video releases from this era are extremely rare to come by, especially in such pristine condition.

It was just one of the many CGC-certified videocassettes featured in Heritage’s Summer VHS and Home Entertainment Showcase Auction, which ended on August 25, 2023. A sealed Cars VHS, Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2007) graded CGC 9.2 A+ (lot 19048) realized $3,500. Cars was one of the last Disney-Pixar films to be released on VHS and was exclusively available to members of the Disney Movie Club.

Other CGC-certified videocassettes in the auction included:

  • a sealed Return of the Dragon VHS, CBS/Fox Video (1983) graded CGC 9.6 A+ (lot 19125) that realized $3,125
  • a sealed The Making of Star Wars Betamax, Magnetic Video (1980) graded CGC 9.2 B (lot 19145) that realized $3,000
  • a sealed Blade Runner Betamax, Embassy Home Entertainment (1983) graded CGC 8.0 A (lot 19031) that realized $2,750
  • a sealed Superman II Betamax, Warner Home Video (1983) graded CGC 8.5 A+ (lot 19153) that realized $2,375
  • a sealed Conan the Barbarian VHS, MCA Home Video (1985) graded CGC 9.6 A+ (lot 19042) that realized $2,250
  • a sealed The Goonies VHS, Warner Home Video (1986) graded CGC 9.4 A (lot 19067) that realized $2,250
  • a sealed The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Betamax, Media Home Entertainment (1978) graded CGC 9.4 A+ (lot 19024) that realized $2,000

All prices realized include a buyer’s premium.