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Comic Weekend – Part 3 (Sunday) Sunday morning, I checked eBay and found that I won Devilina 2 and Vicki 2. The 2 are kind of a weird combination, but I need both as I'm trying to complete by Atlas/Seaboard collection. I’m still a few issues short, including the rare Gothic Romances one-shot mag. I then checked bidnapper and adjusted my max bids for the auctions closing on Sunday. I was bidding on 4 Matt Baker comics: Wartime Romances 8, Giant Comics Edition 5 and 13, and Record Book of Famous Police Cases. I was excited about all 4 of them because they don't come up for sale often. In fact, this was the first time I’d ever seen the one-shot Record Book of Famous Police Cases. The Wartime Romances auction was scheduled to close in the afternoon and the others around 1130pm Sunday night. So it would be a long day of waiting. As it turns out, there was a local convention on Sunday at the Annandale Firehouse. There wasn’t anything going on today so I decided to go (after clearing it with my wife of course). I dropped my daughter at Dulles Airport as she was flying back to college after her spring break vacation, then I headed over to Annandale. I stopped to get money. I pulled out $240 from the ATM. I didn’t really expect to get much at the con; it was more a fun way to kill a few hours. Boy was I wrong. One of the dealers, Patriot Comics from Fredricksburg VA, was blowing out tons of statues. (www.patriotcomicsandtoys.com) They were selling at 50% off list. Anyone who’s been to a big con has seen the dealers who sell statues and trades. Well, this certainly wasn't a big con, but Patriot’s prices (after the discount) were significantly better than what you’d find from those national dealers. I didn't want to spend much at the con as I had those Baker auctions closing later in the day, but with collecting you’ve got to go with serendipitous discoveries. So I started pulling statue after statue from the tables. I was working fast because Patriot had brought only 1 of each statue, so I wanted to pull the ones I wanted before someone else grabbed them. It took 3 trips by me, the dealer and his partner to carry all the statues to my car. Here's how they look in my basement. My favorites are the Game of Thrones Lamp and bookends. I can't wait to put them into my comic book room. My other favorites are the Harley in nurse's outfit, TV show Batgirl and Batman (there must be a Robin, right?), Superman and Lois Lane, and the Joker.

This is a great thread and goal, looking forward to reading about your progress.

Comic Weekend – Part 2 (Saturday afternoon & evening) After lunch I worked on my comic database. I use ComicBase. CB is cool because it includes all known variants, and they use crowdsourcing to add those not already in the database. I don’t collect all variants. In fact, my personal rule is, I have to own the primary comic in order to check that issue off my want list. If I have variants or other printings, then that’s gravy, but those comics alone aren’t enough to qualify for checking off the issue from my want list. I have to have the primary comic to do that. ComicBase makes it easy to identify the primary comic of an issue. It’s simply the issue without any indication of being a variant. For example, below you see issue 639 of ASM. Issue #639 has a primary comic (which I have; ComicBase uses highlighting to make it easy to see the comics you have) and 2 variants, 639/A and 639/B (neither of which I have). Anyway, some titles, like ASM, have so many variants and printings, it’s hard to tell if you have them all. So after lunch I carefully went through ComicBase's ASM listing to make sure I have the primary comic of every issue. As it turns out, I was missing an issue, #636. I missed it because #636 doesn’t have a primary comic. Instead, ComicBase shows it as having 2 variants, 636/A and 636/B, and a 2nd printing. I immediately went on Lone Star (mycomicshop.com), which is my go to on-line comic retailer (I used to also use Mile High, but they have gotten even more expensive lately; how is it possible they are still in business?). Luckily, Lone Star had issue 636/A for a good price. I never buy just one comic at Lone Star because of their flat $4.95 shipping, so I spent about an hour shopping and ended up with $63 worth of comics. I managed to buy comics to complete a couple Indiana Jones titles, as well as a couple of Flash comics (2nd series), so now I’m just 1 issue away from completing that title (the last comic I need is the Wizard 1/2 issue). I also ordered Defiant Genesis 1 for $1.70. The comic shown on the Lone Star website was the variant with the Philly Comicon on the cover. I hope that’s the one they ship, as that’s the one I need. Also around this time, I found out I won the 2 Rage for Men auctions for a total of $15 for both. I didn’t spend all weekend on my comic collection. My son has his learner’s permit so I took him out on a driving lesson (we practiced merging; talk about scary!). When we got home we got ready for dinner. My daughter is home for spring break (she goes to Georgia Tech) so we were all going tonight. My wife takes longer to get ready so I had some time to finish something I started earlier. I’ve mentioned I have complete runs of ASM, Avengers, Cap, DD, FF, Hulk, Iron Man and Thor (this is my Original Marvels collection). Well, that’s true if you don’t count annuals. I have all the annuals, except for ASM Annuals 1, 2, 4 and 9, and FF Annuals 1 and 2. I decided to see if I could get them for cheap. I wanted them to be complete (since I want to read them), but G+ or VG- (or thereabouts) was good enough for me. I lucked out as someone was selling FF Annuals 1 and 2 on eBay for BIN $75. So that took care of the Fantastic Four. Turning to Spider-Man, I quickly realized Annual 1 was expensive. Even the beaters were expensive. So I decided to put #1 on the back burner to think about another day. So that left just Annuals 2, 4 and 9. They were actually easy to get. I added #4 and 9 to my Lone Star order for $22 for the pair. Then on eBay a buyer accepted my offer of $20 for ASM Annual #2. So, I was able to get all the annuals I needed – except for ASM Annual #1 – for $117. For dinner we went to PassionFish, a seafood restaurant in Reston, VA. My wife and I are on a no-alcohol diet, as we’re trying to lose weight before our spring break vacation. Tonight, though, we decided to treat ourselves and get one drink each. I got a double Blanton's bourbon with 1 ice cube and a couple cheeries. Even this tied into comic collecting. A few weeks ago I bought some Matt Bakers from a boardie, and while we were chatting he told me he and his wife were trying to find a bottle of Blanton’s to buy, as they are into horses (if you aren’t familiar with this bourbon, the cork has a horse on top; apparently they don’t distribute Blanton’s at local ABC stores). So George, if you’re reading this, I silently toasted you and your wife last night as I drank my Blanton’s.

Comic Weekend – Part 1 (Saturday morning) I spent a lot of time this weekend on my collection, so I thought I’d do something different and give a play-by-play of the weekend. Saturday Morning As I do most mornings after getting up, I checked bidnapper to adjust my final bids for eBay auctions closing on Saturday. I was bidding on 2 issues of Rage for Men. Lately I’ve been chasing this magazine from the 50s because some contain art by Matt Baker. The non-comic art by Baker is really interesting (at least to me). It was going to be a busy eBay/bidnapper weekend. In addition to the Rage for Men auctions that were closing Saturday, I had 7 comics I was actively bidding on that closed Sunday. After finishing with bidnapper, I surfed over to the CGC gold marketplace. I always pay special attention to the sale threads of Ricksneatstuff, JimJum and Chuck Gower, because they often offer GGA comics that I’m interested in (I'd add Robot Man to that list but his sales are, alas, infrequent). As I was browsing, Rick started a new sales thread! Usually I arrive late to his sales and the best stuff is already gone, but this time it was like I was the first person in the con door. This led to my first decision of the day. Rick was offering a nice looking Atomic Comics 1. As I usually do, I checked GPA and looked at copies on sale on eBay. Even though I was pretty sure it would sell fast, I decided to hold off on pulling the trigger. As I feared though, the book sold pretty soon after. Congrats to the buyer. At the same time I was looking at Rick's thread, I was looking at sale threads by path4play and Soft Serve, and that’s part of the reason I held off on the Atomic 1. I had to watch how much I spent given those eBay auctions closing later on Saturday and Sunday. On path4play’s thread, I put down flags on Thrilling Comics 53 and Jeanie 22. I couldn't pass on that Schomburg cover. The comic's not perfect, but the cover is clean and bright. I felt the same about Jeanie 22 so both were easy decisions for me. On Soft Serve’s thread, I sent him an offer on Fight Comics 45. So, I had to wait on Soft Serve’s response on Fight 45 before I could make a decision on Rick’s Atomic 1. In the meantime Atomic 1 sold. It would’ve been a bummer if I lost out on both, but Soft Serve and I were able to agree on Fight 45 so at least I got one of them. I then noticed that stippy52 had further reduced the remaining items in his “Steranko, Frazetta, Comic Book and Artist Magazines” thread over in the Mixed Age area. I love that stuff. In my collection I have 7 stuffed magazine boxes of fanzines, and more (favorite ones) displayed on shelves. I'd been shopping his thread all week. I added a few more things to my pile. That took me to about 10am. So far it'd been a busy morning for comics. I decided to close the computer for a while. I worked out and had a late breakfast.

I'll take sexy dreams at 2.50 if still available, thanks

I'll take Rocket Blasts and Comic Collectors #4 NM at $1.25 thanks

I received my copy of Nugget and wrote the following in my journal. I thought people here might find it of interest. Nugget Magazine Nov 1955 - Matt Baker I also collect non-comic magazines with art by Matt Baker. Here's one I recently won on eBay, Nugget Magazine #1. The Playboy-like magazine was published by Archer St. John, which explains how Baker got involved. The Amash book (2nd picture below) says "Matt Baker had dreamed up Nugget, which was the ancestor to Playboy and all the others." Matt had at least 2 interior illustrates in the magazine. He did the border art for Starskin Saga and the art for the first page of Swamp Fever. The Starskin Saga border was not signed or credited to Baker, but I don't think anyone doubts it's Baker. The Swamp Fever art is signed by Baker (near the tree trunk). There are 2 other possible Baker illustrations in the magazine. This one is the most likely. It looks Baker-ish. This rough, unfinshed line art is the kind of sketch you'd get at a con, and for that reason I find it fascinating. More evidence that this is Baker is the fact that it's also for the Swamp Fever short story. Since Baker did the other one, it seems to make sense he also did this one too. Is this next one Baker? I'm not sure. I go back and forth on it. What do you think? This issue of Nugget has other interesting art. Ray Houlihan has a few pieces. Before this I'd never heard of him but I might now try to search him out. I also have the 2nd issue of Nugget, that was published 3 months later. It contains no Baker art, which is a shame, and also surprising, at least to me. Why issue 1 but not issue 2? Especially since #2 had repeat artists, like Houlihan. Interestingly, in #2 Archer St. John is not listed at the Editor and Publisher. He's listed as founder, but the Editor/Publisher is Michael St. John. I wonder if that's part of the story.

Nugget Magazine Nov 1955 - Matt Baker I also collect non-comic magazines with art by Matt Baker. Here's one I recently won on eBay, Nugget Magazine #1. The Playboy-like magazine was published by Archer St. John, which explains how Baker got involved. The Amash book (2nd picture below) says "Matt Baker had dreamed up Nugget, which was the ancestor to Playboy and all the others." Matt had at least 2 interior illustrates in the magazine. He did the border art for Starskin Saga and the art for the first page of Swamp Fever. The Starskin Saga border was not signed or credited to Baker, but I don't think anyone doubts it's Baker. The Swamp Fever art is signed by Baker (near the tree trunk). There are 2 other possible Baker illustrations in the magazine. This one is the most likely. It looks Baker-ish. This rough, unfinshed line art is the kind of sketch you'd get at a con, and for that reason I find it fascinating. More evidence that this is Baker is the fact that it's also for the Swamp Fever short story. Since Baker did the other one, it seems to make sense he also did this one too. Is this next one Baker? I'm not sure. I go back and forth on it. What do you think? This issue of Nugget has other interesting art. Ray Houlihan has a few pieces. Before this I'd never heard of him but I might now try to search him out. I also have the 2nd issue of Nugget, that was published 3 months later. It contains no Baker art, which is a shame, and also surprising, at least to me. Why issue 1 but not issue 2? Especially since #2 had repeat artists, like Houlihan. Interestingly, in #2 Archer St. John is not listed at the Editor and Publisher. He's listed as founder, but the Editor/Publisher is Michael St. John. I wonder if that's part of the story.

Thanks! We'll see how much CGC dings the book for that top rusty staple.

Definitely, it's hard to pick among the Phantom Lady's. What makes it even more of a challenge to collect is, since it's a mix of GGA and superhero, prices seem higher on PLs than other Baker books, other than the major covers.

Well, now that I have a FF #1, I'd definitely like it to get up there with AF15!

via PM, thanks!

I'll take Comic Book Artist #22 VF Thanks

Yikes! The Phantom Lady I won is more my speed.

Comic Connect - Win #2 I won this tonight in the C-Connect auction. Matt Baker was the cover artist on Phantom Lady 13 and 15-20. This one, #16, is the first one I've been able to check off that list. C-Connect's description of the book is interesting: Some people avoid restored comics. I seek them out. They help keep the price down. Also, I'm in the camp that embraces restoration. There are some flaws I don't like -- water damage, trimming, smoke -- but the restoration performed here enhances the comic, IMHO. Probably comic collectors will never accept restoration as they do in fine art. But it helps me get more comics for the money. When I saw this purple label, I knew I had a chance at the comic. I think otherwise it would've gone for much more than I was willing to pay.

New Matt Bakers and a Lana Here are a couple of Bakers I bought from a boardie who I met at a local con. I thought the Teen-Age Romances 18 was good looking enough to send to CGC (and as I've mentioned, I really like Baker's full page covers). Also in the GGA category, I picked up Lana 4 (with the sailors hoping for a Marilyn Monroe moment on a windy day). It looks really nice but unfortunately the cover is detached. Still, it presents well in Mylar with a sturdy acid free backing board, so it's good enough to cross off my list. On with the quest!

I'll take Olivia’s Tattooed Ladies Keepsake Collection NM at 50% off if still available

I recently picked this up on eBay, Nugget 1. It has a few interior pages of Baker Art. I especially like the art bordering the 1st page of the Starskin saga. The Amash book suggests Baker was a driving force behind Nugget, not just an artist (see last pic below). Anyone know more about this?

You Can't Win Them All Well, I just got outbid on this Diary Secrets 10. It sold for $475. Someday I might regret not going for it given the high grade (there are only 3 higher, 1 each of 8.5, 8.0 and 7.5). But while this cover is beautiful, I don't like Baker's 3 box covers as much as his full page covers, and this one went for higher than the full page cover APC 15 (also CGC 7.0) I won yesterday. Also, I was a little bothered by the creasing along the spine (although again I think it's a beautiful cover with deep colors). I keep a list of what I've paid for Bakers, and while the prices I've paid have crept up over time, this one would've blown my buying strategy. But, it still kills me it got away. Diary Secrets 30 closed a couple minutes later. Actually, earlier, as Diary Secrets 10 went into extended billing. (By the way, I used to hate CC's extended bidding, but I've grown to like it. It eliminates swiping and the extra time gives you enough time to reflect and think about things -- there's even enough time to check the census, GPA, etc. -- to decide whether to increase your bid.) DS 30 closed at $410. Even though it's one of Baker's classic covers, I was never serious about it. I think because it is a classic cover. So for now I'm holding out for a better copy.

Seeing the Cindy 37 last night reminded me of your Junie. My #5 (below) is not bad but your 9.4 may be the best in existence.

Yeah, and I haven't even posted about GCE 12 yet!

Comic Connect March 2017 Auction - Matt Baker I won this last night on C-Connect. I was kind of surprised I won it with my bid, as the full cover Bakers seem to go for higher and this is a relatively high grade (only 2 other 7.0s and just 1 higher at 8.0). On the other hand I dreaded winning it as I've spent too much lately. I was tempted to go after the Cindy 37 CGC 4.5 (it closed at $1450) -- and I actually played Russian roulette by placing a bid at $1350 -- but it would've broken the bank with everything else going on. But with this win, it means I was able to quickly upgrade from the low grade (but nice looking) copy I got from Rick Starr at a local con a few weeks ago.