When the value and worth don't matter.

My comic books are insured. Normal renters coverage does not even begin to touch my collection. Fortunately, my Step-Mother made sure that I wasn't procrastinating about such an important issue. So now if something happens to my collection I can start over, but what about the few items I have that are priceless? What about the comics that were read over and over again? I can always pick up another New Mutants #15, but I will never be able to walk back into a 7-11 with a fresh feeling of "What's this?"

Curiosity arose. I sent my original copy in for grading. It returned a 4.5, a full .5 above what I graded it. After sending it out for a signature, it returned again a solid 4.5. I sent it out again and again, getting another signature and yet another. Every time I sent it out, it was returned a 4.5. I decided to have anyone who was credited on the front page sign it, including Stan Lee. I even started to have them personalize it to me. I paid extra for Stan Lee to add 'Nuff Said'. The value of the book was worthless, but the worth became priceless.

If the book was lost to theft or fire, it could never be replaced. The worth outweighs the value. I will crack it again to get another signature, pouring even more money into something that will never recoup its value, much like a new car. I'll send it for Jim Shooter or Tom Mandrake to sign, not to mention Glynis Oliver-Wein and Tom Orzechowski. I hope to get this signed by everyone who had anything to do with it. I wonder if I can find the sales clerk that sold it to me, but I think that would be going too far.

I have also had another book graded, cracked, signed, graded again, cracked once more, signed a second time, graded a third time, cracked to press, graded, cracked for a third signature and then finally captured the good sense leave it alone. This book is my 9.6 copy of Amazing Spider-Man #129. With three signatures this is arguably my most valuable book and yet my New Mutants #15, at its lowly 4.5 is worth so much more to me.

Both comic books have a story; one was the beginning of something larger, and the other was something that I had to barter, trade, and hand over cash to acquire, not to mention getting a solid no from my father when I asked to borrow three hundred dollars to purchase a Daredevil #1 in near mint condition. Both ASM #129 and DD #1 was held for a week so I could procure funds. I was fortunate to have my LCS owned by someone who loved comic books more than he loved money. A week later I walked out with the first appearance of the Punisher.

But, what would I do if fate conspired against me? What if these books left me due to circumstances beyond my control? What do I say they are worth? And finally, how can I place a value on a memory?

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb

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