SOTIcollector

Just wondering... what happens to your comics when you die? In general terms... I'm not looking for specifics about your situation. This could have gone in Comics General, but I like the civilized camaraderie of the GA gang. Here's what's going on. My family and I are all in perfect health and hope to walk this planet for many years to come. However, the terminal illness of a friend has shaken me out of my complacency, and now my wife and I have been trying to get things in order in the event that something happens to one or both of us. She asked what should happen to my comics if I die. I could tell she's worried that the comic book collection would instantly become a burden if something happens to me. So I've given it a lot of thought and provided some written instructions. Since I’m not the first person to be faced with something like this, I thought I’d see if any wise collectors are willing to share some advice. My situation is probably similar to that of many collectors. I have a few really nice pieces (a nice-presenting Phantom Lady 17, for example) and some nice-but-not-quite-as-valuable items (all the books mentioned in SOTI) and some stuff that I like but which has very little wholesale value (like collections of Valiants, graphic novels, Ultraverse, mid-grade Bronze Marvels, etc.). I have a wife and kids who may choose to keep a few things of sentimental value, but who generally don't have an interest in keeping or collecting comics. My wife will want to liquidate nearly everything when I die. My thinking is that she could choose from several approaches, involving various levels of effort. Here they are, in order from least to most effort. 1) Call a single trusted dealer and ask that dealer to take everything. Accept the offer the dealer makes. Minimum effort, and minimum return. If the dealer’s really shady, he could make out like a bandit. 2) Call three different dealers. Ask for offers from each for the whole lot. Accept the best offer. 3) Separate the collection into a few smaller-but-related collections, because dealers typically have their primary areas of interest. After creating smaller-but-related collections (categories like Golden Age, Silver and Bronze Age, Original Art, and Everything Else), take approach #2 and accept offers from multiple dealers on each lot. 4) First, sell some of the best of the best stuff at auction, but taking care not to sell off ALL the key items. An auction house would net the best price for, say, the Watchmen page. But if all the good stuff is picked out, the offer for what remains will be nominal and some dealers may not want to touch it at all. 5) Catalog and price everything in the collection. Sell the most expensive items ($500 and up) at auction with a big auction house. Sell the other somewhat valuable books (Say, $20 to $500) individually on eBay or on my website. Bundle the cheaper books into runs of $20 or so (because very few people will want to pay the shipping for a $3 book). Sell the bundles via eBay or my website. I mention method 5 only because it would probably net the most money. It also involves a LOT of effort. It would take years to do, and I’d be shocked if anybody in the family would want to take this on. Unless my wife is retired and wants to take this on, or my kids want to make comic book selling a part-time job that puts them through college, this would not be the way to go. I've provided information on my filing system, and how to retrieve and identify the really valuable items. I've provided the names of some trusted auction houses and trusted dealers, as well as dealers who are not to be trusted. I’m thinking I have things covered, but…is there anything I’m not thinking of ? Obviously if you’re reading this, you’re not dead. But perhaps you’ve made similar preparations, or perhaps you know the spouse of a deceased collector, who says, “if only I had known X…” Any advice for me on additional information I should leave behind when I shuffle off this mortal coil?

I didn’t accurately picture or describe the Starlin piece, so the buyer says he may want to pass. LMK if you’d like to be next in line if he passes.

Well, never mind on the Starlin piece. I guess I priced it too low, because it sold almost instantly.

Another one posted tonight. A phenomenal grail piece for Avengers and Thanos fans: Captain Marvel #29 page 14, by Jim Starlin, and featuring a very large THANOS image! https://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-Jim-Starlin-Captain-Marvel-original-art-with-THANOS-Your-grail-is-here/222686415949

Happy to oblige. I suppose without the Blue Beetle 54 photos, this one doesn't really belong in a thread about nice racks. But since I have the very kind permission of the OP, I'll continue with the digression... The first page of the article (p. 50 of LHJ) shows a kid reading a comic book. He's reading Justice Traps the Guilty V6#12 (September, 1953) Next to him are a few books. There's Young Love V5#7 (September, 1953) And also Racket Squad in Action #8 (August, 1953) I believe there's another book on top of the Racket Squad, starting just below its logo and covering up the very bottom of the logo, but I can't see enough of it do have an idea of what it is. On page 52 of the article, there's this image of a 1948 comics rack. Come to think of it, I guess it means this post does belong in a thread about nice racks. I've seen this photo a number of times; there are copies of it in Wertham's files in at least two different versions: this photo, and another of Wertha perusing the rack's contents. Some time ago I identified most of the books in this rack. I'll see if I can dig that info out another time. So on to page 53, which has this photo. The girl is reading Crime and Justice #15, page 15 (September, 1953) On her lap, we have Haunt of Fear #19 (May-June, 1953). When you look at the photos of "kids with comics" in the article, HOF 19 seems to be the only comic photographted that does not fit with the August/September, 1953 timeframe of the others. Because this book is dated May-June, 1953, and this book also has an illustration in SOTI, my speculation is that for the photo shoot of kids, perhap the photographer just grabbed a handful of books off the local newsstand, but Wertham contributed the HOF #19 from his own collection. That's the last one I've been able to identify. Below are a couple I don't know yet. My best guess is that this also comes from an August-September, 1953 book, but I haven't figured out which one. Then there's that partial book by her knee... First word has an "O" as perhaps the second letter, and then there's another word with "LO". It's not Modern Love, but I don't know what it is yet.

My apologies for not responding sooner, and thanks, @Sqeggs, for reminding me that I had not done so. There were illos from two books in the Ladies' Home Journal article that did not end up in SOTI. In addition, most of the comics shown in photographs with kids reading the were also not included in SOTI. It appears that for the photos of the kids reading comics, they grabbed a bunch of books off the stands, typically with cover dates of August and September, 1953. This two-panel illo apears on page 51 of the Ladies' Home Journal article. The illo comes from Blue Beetle #54. Although Blue Beetle #54's cover was depicted in SOTI, as was a "headlights" panel from the interior that was featured in both the LHJ article and SOTI, the panels that include the hit-and-run victim were not pictured in SOTI. This is the panel that appeared in both SOTI and the LHJ article. The cover appeared in SOTI, but not in the LHJ article. The other illo that appeared in Ladies' Home Journal but not SOTI was from Thrilling Comics #69. Here's the image from page 52 of the LHJ article. And this is how it appeared in Thrilling Comics #69. Cover of Thrilling #69 included, just because. I have also identified most of the comics that appear in photographs in the article (for example, the girl pictured above has a copy of Haunt of Fear #19 in her lap) . If there's interest, I'll be glad to post those as well.

Thanks. I agree it's still an awesomely cool piece. I've also seen stat pages like this created when the art comes from different sources with different sizes. For example, it could be that the original was created with a larger Deathlok, but then an editorial decision was made to shrink the Deathlok image, add the text below him and add the inset panels. So photostats could have been a way to do that.

I just posted some outstanding specimens from my collection. 1) A two-page Moon Knight sequence from Moon Knight #18, 1982, with Bill Sienkiewicz art from his prime period of Neal Adams imitation. 2) Two pages from Rich Buckler's Deathlok. One is original Deathlok art by Rich Buckler and Klaus Janson from Astonishing Tales #35. The other is the very first page of Deathlok art, the published splash for Astonishing Tales #25. The page from #25 is the published art, but is all photostat. MyComicArt.com's eBay auctions These are two of my grails that I've decided to part with. Are they your grails too? Let's talk special boardie pricing.

Thread closed. Thanks for checking it out!

One more to add to the thread. Then it's off to elsewhere. Love & Death, by Gershon Legman. 1963 edition (second printing). Although this book originally predated SOTI by five years, it never had the impact that SOTI had. It's still interesting to read its claims about the dangers of comic books. This book has some wear and soiling on the covers, as evident in the photos. Crease lower right FC; tape pull BC. Pencil marking page 1, otherwise unmarked. $25 shipped in the US; contact me for shipping elsewhere.

I have a 1963 and a 1949 L&D, both softcovers. PM sent.

Thanks for the interest. This is all I had planned for this thread. I do have some copies of Love & Death, but I sold my only spare Parade of Pleasure at Brass City Comic Con. If there's something in particular you're looking for, just let me know. And while I'm at it, I suppose I should mention that I'm always open to trades. My wants are pretty much: anything related to SOTI and the 1940's-1954 comics censorship efforts. If I don't already have it, I probably want it. I have SOTI and all known comics that were referenced in it, but there's a lot I don't have. I'm also happy to upgrade my existing SOTI comics to better slabbed copies. So if you'd like one of these books and you have something you think I might be willing to trade for, let's talk.

That is a good question. The Second print dust jacket reads "SECOND PRINTING" on the front flap, at the top left. This text is not present on the dust jacket for the first printing. So if the book is a first printing first state (with bibliography), or a first printing second state (no bibliography), it was issued with the first print dust jacket. The more direct answer to your question, is that there are two different a dust jacket between the three US versions that I noted. For an illustrated guide to editions, see the SOTI site that I curate. http://www.lostsoti.org/SeductionOfTheInnocent.htm

Capping the thread off with that elusive one. First print, first state, meaning it has the bibliography. If you've been waiting for one of these, here's your chance. This book is very tight and clean. Unmarked except for one stamp from a book rental service on inside FC and another on front free end paper. Small amount of tape residue FC and BC. All pages are present, including 16 pages of illustrations as well as the bibliography leaf that was excised from most copies of the book before distribution. The dust jacket is price clipped; spine partially faded; minor paper loss, which was repaired with tape, at head of spine. I'll ship this book with reproduction dust jacket. The book displays very well by itself, but the red lettering on the cover and spine are known to fade easily. With a repro dust jacket, you can display the book or put it on your shelf without having to worry about additional fading.. Make this the jewel of you SOTI or pre-code collection for $695.

Here's the third one. First print, second state, with dust jacket. The book is clean and unmarked. All typical pages are present including 16 pages of illustrations. The bibliography was removed by the publisher, so I have tipped in a photocopy of the bibliography. The dust jacket is in rough condition, with a split at the spine. $299

Next up, first print, second state. This book has no dust jacket. Second state means no bibliography, either, but I have included a tipped-in photocopy of the bibliography. Minor pencil marks inside FC. Small amount of interior pencil has been neatly erased; otherwise unmarked. All typical pages present, including 16 illustration pages. $175

I'll start with the least expensive one, and work my way up. This is a second printing, without dust jacket. This one has a really cool provenance. It used to be owned by the British House of Commons. It also has a date stamp inside the cover, showing that it dates to July, 1954. All typical pages present, including all 8 leaves (16 pages) of illustrations. Although the bibliography is not present (because it was removed by the publisher), I have added a tipped-in photocopy of the bibliography for your convenience. This copy has a bookplate inside the FC indicating that it's from the House of Commons, plus multiple embossings from the House of Commons and other typical library markings. Bumped corners. Small amount of soiling, back cover. Interior pages mostly unmarked, but there are a few markings in the text or margins similar to the ones pictured. I find it comical that the House of Commons seemed to categorize this as a children's book, given that the book describes in great detail hundreds of things that its author feels are inappropriate for children... Perhaps the "children" indication on the sticker means the book is about children? $175

Over the years, I've sold a number of copies of Seduction of the Innocent to boardies. Since it's the primary focus of my collecting, I usually try to keep a copy or two on hand. Just before my eclipse-viewing vacation, I sold a couple lower-grade copies. Right now, though, I have FOUR copies available, various editions and states, including the rare first print, with dust jacket and bibliography. Perhaps there will be one that fits your budget and collecting taste. The usual rules. No HOS, no probates or reprobates. Fully insured US shipping is included in the prices listed. If you're outside the US, shipping will be at exact cost. HOWEVER, I only ship expensive items like this fully insured, and fully insured international shipping can be expensive. PM's are welcome, but "take it" in thread trumps all. Any and all questions regarding these books, or SOTI in general, are welcome and encouraged. Since there's plenty of inaccurate information about SOTI floating around (Overstreet's listing has been wrong for years), here's a quick recap of the early US editions that exist. 1) First edition, first print, first state. This book came out in April, 1954 and was issued with a dust jacket. When printed, it had a bibliography leaf (pages 399-400). However, the book's publisher feared lawsuits from comic book publishers, and ordered the bibliography removed from all copies of the book not yet sold. First prints have an "R" colophon on the publication page. 2) First edition, first print, second state. This is the same as the one above, except the bibliography leaf has been removed. Most first prints are second state. 3) First edition, second print. This book came out somewhere between April and July, 1954, and was issued with a dust jacket. I have owned dozens of copies of SOTI over the years, and have seen many more. I have never seen a second print that had the bibliography page intact, and do not believe that such a thing exists. Second prints do not have the "R" colophon on the publication page. All three of these versions have a black spine and grey boards. Sometimes you may see a first or second US printing with a different binding; this is because sometimes libraries would re-bind the book. Beware of buying a re-bound book. They are out there, and if you search the Heritage sales you can see that they can even sell for prices similar to copies in their original bindings. However, I personally feel that a re-bound book is no better condition-wise than a comic book that has had its cover removed and had a completely different cover glued on. Ok, lecture over, and on with the show...

Thanks, folks. Thread closed.

Thread closes at 10pm EDT tonight. Thanks to all who bought.

One more price drop on SOTI. It's rough, but it does have the dust jacket and bibliography. $175.

Price drops on the Four Colors, and a big drop on SOTI to brighten your Monday: Here's what remains. First Love #8 8.5-9.0. $75 Lower left corner impact. Two stress lines on the spine. First Love #14 9.2 $90 Gorgeous and flat. Impact lower left corner. Other corners sharp. First Love #16 9.0 or 9.2. $80 Sharp and flat. Two stess lines on spine. Minor impact lower let. Sharp corners. First Love #19 9.4 $85 if you're fine with the production defect at the top left. Something similar to Marvel chipping, but much less severe, where it appears that the production facility had too dull a blade to cut the top edge of the cover properly. As a result, it has a ragged piece. See photo. First Love #30 9.4 or better. $125 Beautiful copy. Sharp, flat black cover. Sharp corners. Very minor soiling along spine on BC. Four Color #103. Walt Kelly goodness "Easter with Mother Goose". Looks like a super high grade book except for three issues: the letter S in pencil on the cover, a price "6-" in pencil on the cover, and worst of all, a loose CF. Without those, I'm sure it would have been 8.5 or better. Instead, it's a CGC old label FN- 5.5 with off-white pages that presents really well. Yours for $110. $95 Four Color #272. Charlie McCarthy and the Twenty Thieves. CGC old label VF 8.0 with off-white pages. Add it to your collection for $300. $225 Four Color #675 Johnny Mack Brown. CGC old label VF- 7.5 with off-white pages. Give it a new home for just $50. $40 Four Color #785 Circus Boy with Mickey Dolenz photo cover. CGC old label VF 8.0 with cream to off-white pages. Who doesn't want a creepy clown leering at a kid for their collection? $125. $95 Seduction of the Innocent, first print, first state (with the bibliography!), with dust jacket. 2 pages clipped at front, and rear free endpaper has been removed. Otherwise complete, including 16 pages of illustrations plus the bibliography leaf that was removed from most copies of the book before distribution. Tape stains, from previously removed tape, remain on book covers, endpapers and jacket. Jacket spine is faded; lower spine has the remains of an identification sticker. $325. $225 to you, but only if you're not the person who promised to buy it a few weeks ago then stopped responding to email (not a Boardie as far as I know).

Here are some pics of the Four Colors. I'll be happy to take more/better pictures if it matters to you.