spideysenses

So I got my Turtlemania Gold Proof from Doug at Pedigree.

Cue dance:

Here are a few photos.

What I find really amazing is that the inside cover is also proofed. I can't believe the auction didn't state this.

Even more interesting is the text in the editorial section of the inside cover (which I cannot believe I have never notice before), clearly explaining the print runs, "Note: Turtlemania was produced in 3 editions--Regular: 3,000 with white cover, Silver: #1-100 - autographed, Gold: 10 only - autographed and with original sketch on back cover. Sorry, Gold edition sold out!"

Point of interest:

 

I can confirm that the person who purchased the Turtlemania Gold 9/10 (he also purchased a high grade white and silver at the same time) is the same buyer that purchased the set of Gobbledygooks for 16k not too long ago...

 

I want his checkbook.

 

What are you referring to? The recently finished Pedigree auction?

I was your rival bidder on that Turtlemania Gold proof. Trying to sneak in at the last minute.

I'll make you a deal. I ended up with both Silver proofs (the white didn't hold much interest to me as it wasn't marked as a proof or signed off on it as such). If I ever decide to sell, I'd be happy to let you be the first to know if you do the same for me for your Gold proof (or the Turtlemania 9.8, for that matter). Let me know.

Congrats on the Silver proofs! If only the gold had a sketch like that silver had the sigs!! And you got yourself a deal.

I want to see the sketch on the back

I thought that too. If we could have actually seen the sketch on the back I'm sure it would have increased the bids. I actually wrote an email to Doug at Pedigree suggesting that he allow, or program the ability to show, two images -- front and back -- of the slabs.

If you're curious about the gold Turtlemania, in a buying sort of way, contact the store pastpresentfuturecomics on Ebay. I compared the serial numbers of new slabs of 9.8s and a 9.6 of Turtlemania that he had on Ebay with those Turtlemanias in the Pedigree auction. The numbers are consecutive. I am 100% confident he is the owner of the Gold Turtlemania (and was of the Silver and white one---and the proofs). I communicated with him about the origin of these books. This was his message to me, verbatim:

"The origin was a avid collector kept these books from the show in Broward county in 1986 til now. It was unusual but he bought them and never touched them until he sold them to us in April of this year. A collection of this caliber may never surface again."

His name is Mark. Real nice guy.

Nice pickup. I was going to go after those covers but decided not to at the last minute. I say frame it up on the wall and enjoy

You bet I am! I had the exact opposite reaction in the final moments. I wasn't going to budge, but, then, I did. Hah! Will definitely be something I cherish for a long time. Ever since '07, when I first learned of the elusive Turtlemania Specials, I have been, for lack of a better term, obsessed with collecting this book, much to the chagrin of my TMNT series collecting side. Even though my wallet doesn't share the same proclivities.

Wonder what the odds are the buyer is going to drop it on C-link and make a quick 5 grand profit?

Buying a 9.8 TMNT just to make a 5 grand profit?!?!...seems like such a waste of resources. There are easier ways. It wouldn't surprise me though to see this book, and the other 9.8, handled by many different hands in the next couple months until it, rightfully, gets a nice home with a loving fan.

...or not??

Thanks and thanks! I figured that since I probably will never be able to afford a true gold edition of Turtlemania, the proof is the very best I could do.

I wonder what the sketch was on the back??

What an exciting night for all TMNT fans. To see the granddaddy of them all sold for such a high amount...I think, even though we all (except 1) didn't get it, we can be excited that our passion was respected, and represented, very well tonight.

I got the Turtlemania Special white edition. And the Gold edition's proof.

God, I wanted the Gold sketch version so bad. But it was clear, with the end price of the 9.2 sale a while back, that this gold wouldn't sell unless it gained over 4 grand in the final moments...an unlikely thing.

By the way, nice to meet you all, very much digitally. ("Cred" info: born in '83. The usual story--Turtles fan my whole life. Toys, comics, posters, cartoon, comics....