lou_fine

Well, why in the world would we bid here and pay lower prices when we need simply wait a few weeks and be able to pick up sure fire confirmed winners at substantially higher prices: http://www.wwcomics.com/comicdetail.asp?Product_ID=FourFavorites_18_19206

he has been, indeed...and that hasn't been enough to propel interest...I suspect because its generally a 5 figure book...not a lot of tv viewers will be inspired to spend 20k to get Jay's comic (especially when available in reprint, etc)... that's why Flash 1 and AA 16, Adv 40, MF 52 etc have lingered behind the big 3 DC wise...imo Is the Riverdale TV series adding any additional fuel to the fire for the early Archie books or is it still based primarily on covers for now such as Archie 50 and Pep 34? I believe it probably wouldn't for Pep 22 since it's already clearly a 6-figure book in grade.

+1 I agree with you 110%, especially with respect to the Pep 22 which I would probably put right up there in Tier 2.

I guess the fact that Steve had already mentioned, it's the only non-humor cover in the entire run and one which features the Phantom Rider is what makes it more in demand. Although I guess Star 3 with its cover theme is also popular, but probably beyond most collectors price range. I was actually the under bidder on this book in the Berk auction. Probably should have bumped it up a couple more notches, but given the foxing or whatever at the top of the cover along with the fact there are better copies out there including the Church copy, decided not to go any further. I guess it must have been pretty much top of market since it was only the eventual winner and me battling it out once it cross over $1,200 or thereabouts. If it was a real bargain, I guess Ritter would have picked it up. What was your opinion on the final price of $1,670 for Berk's 6.0 graded copy, considering how popular this cover apparently is and the fact that these Star Comics don't come around that often?

You should always remember that Google is your best friend when you have a question. Google simply led me to the GCD as follows: https://www.comics.org/issue/7586/ https://www.comics.org/issue/6882/ As you can see, your answer is Archie Comics #38 and #33 respectively.

Well, how about if I go off the board here and say something like Ace Comics 11 which features the first comic book appearance of the Phantom or the Ghost Who Walks. Interesting to note that he is supposedly the first "costumed superhero" since Ace 11came out quite a few months before Action 1. Supposedly, the daily newspaper comic strip and the color Sunday strip which both started back in the 30's are still running to this day. Apparently, it would also appear to be one of the few comic books that is on Metro's Most Wanted List according to one of their monthly newsletters from about a year ago. Although the Phantom character is really popular down under in Aussie Land, it looks like he might need a movie in order to raise his profile here in North America. Oh, my bad as this was already done back in 1996 and it didn't seem to help the prices of his books, or was this before movies had an impact on the comic books.

Thanks Gents and that's why I post it every opportunity I get!! It's definitely one of my favorites to share!! And I think Jon would agree with all of you gents here, as I believe this is another one of the books which he held back from the auction to keep for himself.

All these books are comparatively tough, Dean - I have a raw mid-grade copy. The next issue #17 (Phantom Rider cover) is pretty cool if only for being the only non-humor cover in the entire run. Steve; This one here was very much a last minute impulse buy on my part only. I was actually trying to target a few of the earlier Star Comics in the Jon Berk auction, but they had all gone past my price point already. Noticed the notation for the Phantom Rider in the Overstreet for both of these issues and decided to give these 2 a shot instead. Especially since the Berk copy of issue #16 was the highest graded copy (for now at least) and the Mile High Catalogue indicated no Church copy. Same thing with the Larson Master List and the Lost Valley catalogue. I was actually surprised the auction ended just like that for this particular issue, whereas the one with the Phantom Rider cover (which Rick will be showing us tomorrow) just kept on going. Really happy and pleased with my Berk copy of Star Comics #16 here since it presents quite nicely relative to its assigned CGC 7.0 grade, especially for a HTF Centaur from way back in 1938.

Did you not pick up that Church copy of Fantastic Comics 12 that you had originally mentioned and which led us down this garden path. So, the answer is that you don't actually have info on the resales? Just checked and it looks like you still haven't picked up that Church copy of Fantastic 12 yet. If you don't hurry, it's going to be snapped up by other hungry buyers similar to some of the other Berk books, like the Science 6, the Amazing Mystery Funnies, etc. Makes you wonder where all of these buyers were during the initial CC auction when these books were available at a much lower price point.

Do you have links to the info on the resales? Did you not pick up that Church copy of Fantastic Comics 12 that you had originally mentioned and which led us down this garden path.

I've been giving this some more thought the past few days since I received my few books which I was fortunate enough to win earlier this week. As a long-term collector, I don't really have to worry about an exit strategy at all as these books from Jon's personal collection have once again found a permanent home and will be with me for a long long time. And like everything else in my own personal collection that I brought decades ago, the magic of time itself will take care of the exit strategy. On the other hand, if you are not a long-term collector, it's sad to say but the exit strategy might simply be to remove these treasured books from their imprisoned tombs and sell them raw at substantially higher prices. You never know, as the marketplace might place a even higher premium on these HTF gorgeous looking books when they are out there in the flesh and free of both the slab and their "not so cherished" association with the Jon Berk Collection designation. Would they really be "worth" more de-slabbed? I would think that the grade and Berk certification to at least add some value.... I have seen some say that they are likely not pressed, so I could see the potential for flippers to try and CPR for a quick score. I would not expect the recently sold items to get any premium over what was paid unless one was trying to hide restoration by deslabbing ( and I am NOT saying that anyone should do that for sure!!!!!).... I do not think there can really be an exit strategy with an auction like this. Maybe a better way to think of it - wold be an entrance strategy, lol.... If someone is concerned with the overall $$$ needed to purchase ( like you might need the money back and have to limit any loss potential) - they should limit themselves to books with enough pricing data that any exit point would be predictable. ------ A strange game. The only winning move is not to play Ah......don't we all miss the days of sweet innocence and wine and roses. Seriously though, as I said right from the get go, in a massive auction like this with just so many quality books, it's to be expected that many non-highlight run books or possibly even undergraded books would not fetch top dollars and there would be a quick exit strategy for those who are into this type of game. For example, if we take a look at this copy of Science Comics #6: http://www.comicconnect.com/bookDetail.php?referral=EAlist&id=714598&title=SCIENCECOMICS (1ST SERIES) Although sold for a premium to guide at $1,650; it looks like it has already been resold for $2,400 Or if you take a look at this copy of All-Select 4: http://www.comicconnect.com/bookDetail.php?referral=EAlist&id=716330&title=ALLSELECT COMICS Definitely an entry level copy that was sold for $310 but already successfully resold for $700. As a long-term collector myself though, I don't have to worry about an immediate exit strategy, and will be more than happy to treasure and enjoy the few books which I was fortunate enough to win and simply let time itself eventually take care of my exit strategy.

And yet some customers have already been able to not only get their books, but also have enough time to free them from their entombed prisons, relist them, and already flipped them out at huge premiums or even multiples to what they had to pay for them during the CC auction. And this is all while most of us poor schmucks are still waiting for our orders to ship.

Have you had a chance to provide this additional evidence to PayPal, and if so, what was their response? Hope everything works out well in your favor in the end.

It's ComicConnect. I've never had an order take under 3 weeks to ship. My fedex label was created on Thursday, but I don't think they actually shipped it. It probably depends upon your method of payment. If you paid by cheque, then they probably have to wait for your cheque to clear first. This could take 2 - 3 weeks alone if you happen to be a Canadian or Int'l customer. If you paid by credit card or already have a remaining credit balance with CC on your account, then your books are probably ready for shipping almost right away.

Except for the small spine split at the top and a few spine stresses, this looks like a pretty sharp copy with nice pages. How tough is this book to find in the marketplace since there's only 3 in the CGC census, and this book also features the first appearance of the Phantom Rider, whoever he is? Nice cover, although I believe this book would be a lot more valuable and sought after if they had used the Phantom Rider cover that you will be showing us here tomorrow.

I actually have some duplicates or possibly even more of those Steranko Shield issues as I always wanted to find the minty fresh uber HG copies, but still have not done so to my satisfaction to this point in time. I guess I've given up even trying for the past 20 years or so.

Well, looks like you managed to snagged yourself quite a nice haul there, especially with the Steranko Shield covers and a few of the Starlord mags.

The book was purchased on the 6-month plan and paid off early. Then maybe this explains why the sale did not show up on GPA right after the auction and might show up in the near future if CC gets around to downloading prior auction sales to them on a retroactive basis.

Was you thinking of placing an offer on this still slabbed Church copy of Fantastic Comics 12 since you pointed it out to us here? Personally, I actually find the ones for the Pending Completed Sales of his now released raw books to be of much more interest to me.

I've been giving this some more thought the past few days since I received my few books which I was fortunate enough to win earlier this week. As a long-term collector, I don't really have to worry about an exit strategy at all as these books from Jon's personal collection have once again found a permanent home and will be with me for a long long time. And like everything else in my own personal collection that I brought decades ago, the magic of time itself will take care of the exit strategy. On the other hand, if you are not a long-term collector, it's sad to say but the exit strategy might simply be to remove these treasured books from their imprisoned tombs and sell them raw at substantially higher prices. You never know, as the marketplace might place a even higher premium on these HTF gorgeous looking books when they are out there in the flesh and free of both the slab and their "not so cherished" association with the Jon Berk Collection designation.

Sorry but disagree. Supes started it all. AC1 will always be king and Supes 1 will always outpace Bats 1. Cap will watch the battle from a distance. Well, maybe a closer than expected distance, but I will always place Bat 1 over Cap 1 since it also has both the Joker and "Catwoman's" first appearances. From a pure content point of view, I feel that Batman 1 is the most comprehensive and all-encompassing GA book out there and that will always count for something.

I love that cover, Yes another one I kept. You have excellent taste. Jon No, kind sir, it's indeed you who have excellent taste as clearly evident by the hundreds of pages of beautiful pictures throughout your wondrous and magnificent catalogue.

I guess that must have been when Steve was still hot to trot for all copies of Fantastic 3, regardless of what condition they were in. Maybe he still is hot and hungry for them even now, after all these years.

Correct I imagine it must be the same situation with your Larson copy of Funny Pages #11 since it was not included with the rest of the FP run in the auction? It's just so hard to stay away from the beautiful colors on some of these Larsons.

Peter; As I already stated in the other thread, I believe the Pep 22 is going to be the highlight book of this auction here: http://www.comicconnect.com/bookDetail.php?id=732549