Considering that Christine Farrell had one of the greatest comic book collections ever compiled, it was surprising how casually she hoarded her treasure when the Mountain Lake PBS program "People Near Here" visited her Burlington office in 1995. There were no big displays or ultra-rare comics encased in glass, no signs explaining how valuable the books were, no notes from DC Comics marveling at Farrell's feat of amassing one of the only complete series of the publisher's run. It was just a nondescript office lined with boxes overflowing with some of the oldest and rarest comic books ever printed. The owner of Earth Prime Comics and Quarterstaff Games, both on Burlington's Church Street, Farrell was guarded about her personal trove. "I do not intend to sell the collection," she told host Derek Muirden. "That's not what I'm in it for." But following Farrell's death at the age of 72 in April, the vast majority of her tens of thousands of comics — many so rare that they are legendary among other collectors — will indeed be sold. Her estate has authorized the sale through Texas-based Heritage Auctions. A portion of the collection was posted online for purchase in late September, but the gems of Farrell's collection, some 500 of the most sought-after comics of all time, will go live on Heritage's website October 25 and 26. This includes the first appearances of superheroes such as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. The comics are expected to fetch some high offers. Heritage vice president Lon Allen, who is also an adviser to the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, an annual publication considered the top authority on comic book appraisals, estimated the entire collection to be worth between $6 million and $7 million. The October auction alone is likely to generate $4 million. While Farrell was alive, "She definitely didn't want to sell the collection," her longtime friend Dave Torrey said by phone. "I think she maybe considered putting it on display at some point, but it was never really part of her plan. She collected those books because she wanted to read them." Farrell, who grew up in Burlington, began collecting comics as a child, her favorite titles being female-led books such as Lois Lane and Supergirl. In 1970, she embarked on a mission to collect the entire run of DC Comics, starting with 1935's New Fun Comics No. 1…