Laszlo the Mudjar

These days if I buy something it will be with the intention of putting it in a frame and displaying it on a wall. For me I have found most books over a 6.0 display awesomely so I could care less about higher grades or page color. It's all about what it looks like framed. Now if I was concerned about resale, I'd definitely be buying the highest grade I could, but that's not the kind of collector I am. I recently bought a 6.0 Fantastic Four 50 to go with my 55 and 72 which both came back as 8.0s a couple years back when I was considering selling. On display the 6.0 looks every bit as good as the 8.0s. Anyways, that's just me.

I was attracted to Kirby comics and didn't even know it until I was much older. Now he's all I display from my minimal collection, and really the only artist I'm willing to spend money on today. Bought the Cappy sketch last year, and it is easily my favorite piece of Kirby work now.

Another 2 cents, and remember it's just my opinion which isn't even worth 2 cents, but . . . 1) My children don't watch TV shows. They get their entertainment from Tik Tok and the like. My great great grandchildren will likely not have any interest in a comic book from 1960 about a stretchy guy, a guy on fire, an invisible girl, and a guy made out of bricks. 2) I assume the stamps in the example are relatively common among collectors as in they are not all that rare. I also assume that the truly rare stamp that is 1 of a kind or perhaps 1 of a handful is still valuable. 3) My prediction: comics that have hundreds or thousands of copies (like Hulk 181) are not likely to have value in 100 years, but AC1 will, but that really doesn't matter to any modern collectors since we won't be around when the slow drop off happens.

Does the Hive knowledge here include any further info on the restored copy for sale at Met? Just wondering if this is the first time it's being offered or if it has any history. The trimming doesn't bother me in the least. I see it as improving the presentation and am happy it lowers the price as much as it does. Captain America #1

That is true. However, there are HUGE caveats. Had one bought at the peak in 1999, one did not start making money until 2013. Similarly had one bought at the 1965 peak, one did not make money until 1982. The same can be said of 1929 to 1955. When you buy into a trend can make a world of difference. Prices could ease for a LONG time. And, then again, maybe not. Who knows. Buy what you like and can afford, and there won't be a problem. Buy for an investment with money you can't afford to lose, and maybe not so much.

Any GA CA 2-10 and a Kirby OA cover that I can afford. Maybe more than one if I'm lucky

Obviously placed this thread in the wrong forum. Perhaps a mod can move it out of the marketplace forum. That’s what I get for using an iPhone for internet viewing. Sorry.

So I am new to the OA collection world and just dipped my little toe in to test the water and bought a Kirby Lord of Light lithograph, a Kirby CA sketch, and I’m contemplating a signed Kirby Strange Tales panel. I’m curious to see others examples of how they show off a panel. Do most people frame it by itself or do people usually frame it with the comic or do folks remove just the comic page and frame the panel with the page? Anyways love to see pictures of other folks panel art in frames.

you know; ease less. Precisely. Maybe don't buy that lesser key you've been hunting down right now, but rather take a gamble and wait a few months and see if prices keep falling as they have seemingly started to. (And, I don't mean you personally, but the proverbial you)

No great crash just a pullback from the highs. Look at the history for ASM 10 for the last two decades. It hit a new high in '03,'08,'11,'19,'20, and '21. The recent high stands out as exceptional in its percentage. Will there be a new high in '22? I think not. No crash just a normal pullback that might be high percentage wise compared to past high to low moves.

The reason I ask is because clearly most of us can't afford a CA 1, but I'd love to own a piece of Kirby comic history from the '40s/

Do you know if that type of cleaning can be detected?

Great interview. Makes me incredibly sorry I didn't figure how important he was 'til after he was gone.

Obviously a couple years late to the party, but add my name to the club roster. Now to save a couple hundred grand, hah! What about another club for any of the Kirby&Simon first 11 books? Is that a thing yet?

So, I found an early Captain America book that looks great, but I was wondering if anyone here can offer more insight regarding "cleaning". Is it possible CGC cleaned it and put the label on? If CGC didn't do the cleaning how can one tell if a comic is professionally cleaned? If I cracked the case and my grandkids submitted the book in 2050 to CGC would the graders still know it had been cleaned? Anyways, just curious what info folks here have about detecting "cleaning". Thanks. https://www.ebay.com/itm/352529038930?ff3=2&toolid=10044&campid=5338302747&customid=&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466&item=352529038930&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&ufes_redirect=true

Watched this video last night. Usually this YouTuber is not a fan of "investing" in comics, but he has an interesting take on Hulk 1.

I think you are misinterpreting my comments, and the facts do not support your comment. I believe the prices for comics will go up over a longterm, but over shorter periods there have been numerous downturns. Looking at prices on GPA this has happened time and again. Without question comics increase in value over a longer time period, but not always over the interim periods.

Yep, lot's a 'dem ease up Made a post like this in another thread as well, and it's just one old guys opinion and not worth the electrons it takes to write them on the screen, but personally I think there are two factors supporting comic prices right now, and when they are gone watch out below. I think dealers are selling to themselves in auctions as they have always done, and the majority of current auction buyers are likely specs and not collectors, many of whom are gambling with money they can't afford to lose. Unfortunately, when folks like that start to need to sell in a downward price environment . . . again . . . watch out below. Might be years before the panic hits, but this old guy sees a major collapse coming. Maybe even already starting. Just to be clear, I'm not wishing this to happen just offering one old guys words of caution to anyone laying out serious coin right now. Personally, I'm building cash, only buying things I never plan on selling, and making a list of what I'd like to buy if prices do actually take a serious downturn in '22 or '23. Of course, I've been wrong about lots of stuff in my day (just ask my wife - she'll tell you that for sure) so maybe I'll be wrong about this.

My first OA. Bought it from a local dealer. Super nice guy. Just the stock photo right now. Haven't actually brought it home yet. Gotta go rob a bank first . . . I mean make a withdrawal.

I used to take guitar lessons on Saturdays. When I was done, I'd have to wait for my Mom to pick me up, and while I waited there was a shop immediately next door that sold comics. I'd go next door and read a few, but the owner would get cross and make me buy one so I could read the others. After a time I realized I liked the stories and wanted to read the next issue so I started buying some, and then I discovered that a nearby Thrift Shop had back issues of my primary interest, and so I started buying back issues as well, but then High School and girls took over, and that was the end of my collecting until much much later.

sorry i asked

Hmmm. Very good point. Wait a year and I might be able to afford what I REALLY would love (that being a Captain America Cover or Splash) rather than buying a character and/or type of art that is not my heart's desire but I could swing today. Of course, then there's the chance the market keeps moving just out of my range.

Hah, I asked the same question. Have to go on Comixology and read the books to figure it out 'cuz it's driving me nuts wondering

Given your years of experience do you see the price for OA like that coming down at some point, or do you think if one is patient a similar piece could be found now for less, or might there be room to negotiate on that piece? It's unfortunate I am coming new to this arena at a time of incredible price inflation, but "C'est la vie" as they say. Reading through the advice thread I saw a common theme of folks feeling that their original purchases weren't what they would wish for today. Is it possible your first purchases were what you liked then and your likes changed, or did you learn something along the way that showed you your early purchases were not well informed? I have a painting that is of some considerable value that I bought years ago, but I never bought again since I already spent what I thought I could on art. I love that painting and never regretted spending big and only getting one. (I do have other pieces hanging on my walls, but those were inherited.) Now, the biggest question in my mind is whether or not to buy one big piece of comic OA and accept that I may not buy again, or try for smaller items so I can buy a few. Not sure how I feel so I may have to just sit on my hands for a while. My dilemma can be seen in the two listing I showed so far. The first was an example of what I think I truly want, a Kirby signed Cover or Splash of something I own in comic form. It, for sure, would be a one and done purchase. The second would leave me open to more purchases in the future, and is something I like, but don't really love. Do I want to collect art or buy one piece I truly love? Ah, well first world problems and all that.

Thanks all. Sounds more like the answer is to stay away and forget that one. Glad I asked. Thoughts on Nostalgic Investments and the Half Splash linked below? I didn't find anything negative online, and I have already bought an inexpensive Kirby print from them, plus, bonus, they actually put prices on things I'm looking at a Half Splash from there that seems reasonably priced, no? Thor #139 pg 8