gregreece

Interesting debate. Here is information from my perspective. I ran a retail store from 1993-1998 in a not ready for prime time town. We handled several (admittedly low grade) AF 15's over those years (sold them at $250-$500 and thought I was killing it:) ). It was not unusual to see local dealers at local shows have 1-2 copies on their wall. There could could be 8-10 in a room of a rinky dink local hotel show. Happened all of the time. One of the things I remember from those days, and still true many times today, is guys selling their runs would sell me ASM 1-whatever they had, but would not sell the AF15. I easily handled 4X-5X as many ASM 1's as I did AF 15's but not because they weren't out there, their owners simply wouldn't part with them. It was the one book they just couldn't sell. I am in the camp that the book is plentiful in the raw and I think what the younger, more census centric posters may be missing is this book has a unique place in the hearts of collectors. And all of that said, whatever quantity is out there it's clearly not enough to satisfy a seemingly insatiable demand for the book. I picked up a 3.0ish copy last week, the first I've had in any grade in a year! I have also noticed other national dealers inventory diminishing on this book over the last 12-18 months so I don't expect prices to soften any time soon.

4 of the 5 9.8's I had were sold prior to my posting in this thread. So my agenda in posting here was to provide additional information/alternative viewpoint. If I was looking to pump I would've done so before I sold 4 copies. I respect others opinions but in this case do not believe 2 ebay auctions have artificially inflated prices. They were already rising before the 1st $1800 or so sale on ebay (I sold 2 on my site as the book started moving sharply higher.) There has been pent up demand for some time on this issue. All of that said, am I surprised at how rapidly it has climbed? Yes. But if Ms Marvel #1/Nova #1 can command the kind of #'s they have, then SW #1 can as well. Other than the 1 remaining 9.8 I have in stock (this will not make my year whether I sell it or not , I don't have a meaningful dog in this fight. Interesting discussion. Best to all, Greg Greg, you report to GPA, right? Which #1 sales on there are yours? You mention 4 sales leading up to your board listing. Which ones are those? 4 sales before I posted in this thread. 2 of the sales were here on the boards in a sales thread just the last couple of days: Edited to say, we originally listed the first book book on 1/6. The sale date was 1/22 and has in fact, been captured by GPA. Sorry for the mix up. 1258087004 $900 1/22/15 1258087005 $1150 1/27/15 (this was sold through our ebay store) 1258087004 $1699 2/17/15 1258087006 $1699 2/17/15

4 of the 5 9.8's I had were sold prior to my posting in this thread. So my agenda in posting here was to provide additional information/alternative viewpoint. If I was looking to pump I would've done so before I sold 4 copies. I respect others opinions but in this case do not believe 2 ebay auctions have artificially inflated prices. They were already rising before the 1st $1800 or so sale on ebay (I sold 2 on my site as the book started moving sharply higher.) There has been pent up demand for some time on this issue. All of that said, am I surprised at how rapidly it has climbed? Yes. But if Ms Marvel #1/Nova #1 can command the kind of #'s they have, then SW #1 can as well. Other than the 1 remaining 9.8 I have in stock (this will not make my year whether I sell it or not , I don't have a meaningful dog in this fight. Interesting discussion. Best to all, Greg

Greg I'm sure you know I was not implying your own sales are not legit. My point is that the only publicly available sales data that we have are the sketchy ebay sales that are showing up on GPA that facilitated this apparent and sudden spike in "value". And since many dealers and sellers price their items based on GPA/closed ebay sales you have a "fruit from the poisonous tree" scenario that can (and often does) create at least a temporary self-fulfilling prophecy in the perception of "value". The problem is, when it begins this way, it does not usually end well for those who buy in at the apex of the bubble. My 2 cents. -J. Understood. I was just supplying additional information that there are more than a handful of folks interested in this book at this new price level. No doubt, there are nefarious buyers (and sellers) everywhere but their ability to manipulate the market is usually very, very short lived. Again, while I don't know what the future holds for SW #1 CGC 9.8's my bet would be they will at least hold their gains in the immediate future. But , of course, who knows Take care all.

The market for SW #1 CGC 9.8 is legit. Aside from the boards, we sold 2 other copies as the book was trending up. Again, supply is only 1 side of the value equation. Books like NM 98, IH 181, ASM 129 and many others have taught us that. I do not have a crystal ball so I have no idea whether the books falls, stagnates or increases from this point. I, like every other dealer, buy and sell at market value in real time. Best to all, Greg

ebay user ID: tom.deacon Hits buy it now. Send this message: " I'm very sorry. My 3 year old son got hold of my phone and has accidently hit buttons that were not meant to be pressed. Sorry for the inconvenience. "

ebay user ID: zudu41 Purchases Hulk #181 CGC 9.4 Then sends me this e-mail: "Honestly dude I think u should shave at least 700 bucks off price or in calling im this off sorry. Just let me know I'll be on the phone canceling with Amex shortly"

ebay user galvtoxcarl waited 3 weeks to tell me this: ($25 purchase) Hey im sorry i won't be able to purchase this comic. I haven't had the cash and plus it turns out my son already has this comic so i apologize for the inconvenience

Very smooth, easy deal. A+++

very nice Jeff. That copy has fantastic eye appeal. Congrats!

show me some evidence. you've offered none. certainly it wouldn't be you. At least you got something right tonight.

51 and +1

Nick just completed another silky smooth transaction complete with bulletproof packaging. A++++

Hi All, I hope it's ok to share this brand new to market Cap #1 with everyone. At 51 years old and having dealt on and off in comic books for a total of 21 years, up until now I have never handled a copy. As much as I love my job (and I truly do), there is a point where you become a little jaded handling another ASM 1, etc. In this case, it was like being transported in time to 1975 or so and poring over Overstreet photos of rare books you never dreamed you might hold in hand one day. To answer some obvious questions: 1) The book was purchased by a local dealer from the original owner . It was an 18 month process involving the sale of many other golden age books (none with the panache of this book but some cool stuff for sure). 2) As much as I'd love to keep this, yes I will be selling it. 3) It is a tweener 4.0/4.5 as it sits. 4.25 if there was such a grade.

Very fast, secure shipping from the UK

Can count on 1 hand the sequels I liked better than the 1st movie. This is in that camp and by a wide margin. I liked Cap 1 but loved this one. Very entertaining watch!

Brilliant!

Nick communicated well, never missed a time payment (was early actually) on a 4 figure deal, and was a pleasure to work with.

Deal was silky smooth from start to finish. A+++ transaction.

This. Thanks for the heads up Sharon. I am in and out on the boards these days (mostly out). Have a customer in the market for a low grade XM 1 and this fit the bill. All of that said, I do all I can not to deal with folks on the probation list (regrettably, not the case here). For the most part, I have kept up with board handles that have caused trouble in the past but this one did not ring any alarm bells. Best to all, Greg Edited to say: I'm sure this has been brought up before but why in the world can't we just block someone until they've made good on any past mistakes and get themselves off of the probation list? We can get a man on the moon in a rocket for crying out loud, this should be easy to implement.

Dan sent the books well packed and quickly. Couldn't ask for better service. A++++

Currently asking him about visible defects on the book. Next step is to ask if he is in the pic. Love it. I knew I was running my business all wrong

Just completed another ho hum 4 figure deal with Joey. He makes it that routine. Deal with Joey and rest easy. A++++ trading partner.