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Mmehdy

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Posts posted by Mmehdy

    E.C. Fan Addict THREAD

    in Golden Age Comic Books

    Posted

    On 9/14/2023 at 6:41 PM, Robot Man said:

    TTA 1 is starting to look a little more common these days…:whistle:

    Bad move to auction these as a set. Not everyone needs all 3. They would more than likely bring more separately. It takes  a bit of “sizzle” off the #1.

    They are selling at the same time individually…. But putting a whole set in just a weekly auction does seem risky .. one every week better!

    E.C. Fan Addict THREAD

    in Golden Age Comic Books

    Posted · Edited by Mmehdy

    BREAKING NEWS... New copy of TALES OF TERROR ANNUAL 1 coming to Ha weekly auction Oct 22-24...

     As you are aware TOT#1 is being auctioned this  Saturday on Ha and the current bid is $3100 plus BP.......However a complete set of TTA 1-3 are being auctioned off in the OCT 22 weekly Ha auction. the three annuals are graded  #1 1.5, #2 5.0, and #3 5.5 are restored.

     Talk about a chance to get TTA 1...this is the greatest window I have seen in 50  years of comic book collecting and this will be affordable . In looking at all of those 1-3...I think the grading is solid on all of them.

    guesses on on 1-3 prices...TTA #1 1.5 has great contents also...COT17, TFC 20, WS 13, VAULT 13

    Stan, Jack, and Steve - The 1960's (1964) The Slow Build

    in Silver Age Comic Books

    Posted · Edited by Mmehdy

    On 9/13/2023 at 1:35 PM, Prince Namor said:

    Interesting timeline of information someone posted in the Timely-Atlas Facebook group by Mark Clegg...

     

    1956-03-?? One-time cartoonist Hugh Hefner, a new media mogul with his Playboy magazine, admires Mad, and meets Harvey Kurtzman in New York to express his appreciation. He tells Kurtzman that if he were ever to leave Mad, a place would be waiting for him in the Hefner empire.

    1956-04-00 In very early April, even though Harvey Kurtzman offers Al Jaffee $10,000 a year worth of freelance work for Mad (which is selling about 350,000 an issue as a quarterly, if Kurtzman can get it out that often), Jaffee passes because he makes $20,000 working on two books for Atlas. (ME: If Jaffee is doing, roughly 40-46 pages a month on Patsy Walker and Patsy & Hedy, he's getting $36 to $41 a page to write, pencil AND ink... that's LOW.)

    1956-04-04(?) With Hugh Hefner’s promise to back him, Harvey Kurtzman demands legal control of Mad from William Gaines in the form of stocks. Reluctant to lose the editor of his sole remaining publication, Gaines offers a 10% share.

    1956-04-06 On a “fateful Friday,” Harry Chester, Harvey Kurtzman’s production manager, tells William Gaines that 10% is not the winning number as it will not give Kurtzman the creative control he wants on Mad. Chester tells Gaines that Kurtzman wants 51%. Gaines refuses to give up ownership (“if he had just asked for 49% and not 51%”). He calls Kurtzman at his home, and says “goodbye.” He then calls his attorney, Martin Scheiman, to have him call Kurtzman to confirm the conversation. After the lawyer confirms the conversation the two part ways.

    Al Jaffee turns in work (Job Numbers K-250 to K-254) on a full issue of Patsy and Hedy. #45 is due to the CMAA NOW to Stan Lee. Lee tells Al (jokingly?) that he has competition for his job. Jaffe tells him to use the competitor. On Patsy Walker, which he has worked on for a decade or so, he would get an idea, write it out, add quick sketches, feel like he has done the whole thing, and then begin the drudgery of turning that into a finished work, the only motive for doing so is the mortgage. He spends 18 hours a day grinding out the work. He gets home an hour and a half later, and his wife tells him Lee has been calling non-stop. Jaffe calls Lee back and quits, officially. He can’t do it anymore. He then calls Harvey Kurtzman to accept his offer. Kurtzman tells him he has just left Mad, but something is in the wings.

    Al Jaffee’s Mad Life. Even though Lee has an issue’s worth of work for Patsy and Heddy by Jaffee in hand, he will shelve it for two months, risking the ire of the CMAA, and have Al Hartley, former artist on Meet Miss Bliss and current artist (and sometimes writer) on Della Vision/Patty Powers, do the next issue (the 1956-06-05 Patsy and Heddy #45), both art and writing (Job Numbers #339, 362, 363, 433, 434). Hartley does the last story for the 1956-05-23 Patty Powers #7 (Job Number #273) and gets to work. Is this what kills the Patty Powers book? 

    At Gaines’ home that night, Joe Orlando (who visits the Gaines 3 or 4 nights a week), along with Gaines’ wife Nancy, tells him, as he holds his head and declares he is going back to teaching, to hire Al Feldstein, who had done PANIC, to replace Kurtzman. Gaines says he doesn’t like Feldstein, he comes in early and tries out everything first. Gaines calls the recently fired (on Kurtzman’s insistence) Lyle Stuart, who is vacationing in Florida. Stuart tells Gaines to throw Kurtzman and Chester out the window, and to get Feldstein (who he never liked) back. Gaines will gamble to continue Mad under Feldstein if Wallace Wood remains with the magazine. Wood, on Orlando’s suggestion and loyalty to Gaines, stays with Mad. While doing some work for Atlas, Feldstein has been shopping around a magazine conceived as a showcase for new talent like Lenny Bruce. He has largely been out of work for four months. Gaines meets Feldstein, returning home from a job search, on the platform of the Merrick station of the Long Island Railroad. MAD gets a new editor.

    1956-04-09 Al Feldstein is back at EC early Monday morning. He has quit working for Stan Lee at Atlas. Has he done any work on Yellow Claw #2? Probably not as his work on Yellow Claw #1 are Job Numbers K-215, 239, and 260, and the book is due to the CMAA at the end of the week. Roth does a (always planned?) non-Yellow Claw story (Job Number 358) that is used to complete the book, along with a text feature (Job Number K-418) with an illustration by John Severin. Stan Lee probably immediately calls up Jack Kirby (whose recent return to Atlas (Goodman) with Job Number K-282 was facilitated by Frank Giacoia) and offers him the book, starting with the 1956-08-14 Yellow Claw #2 (which will be Job Numbers K-648, 663, 868, and 915). Kirby will do a couple of genre shorts (Job Numbers K-651, 652) before sporadically completing Yellow Claw #2.

    Al Feldstein’s first issue will be Mad #29 (September 1956). He takes over with the zeal of a lineman coming off the bench. He is also on his knees praying for artists and writers to help him do this job. John Putnam, the art director and designer of Mad, remains. He joined EC in 1954 as a $75 a week temporary employee, He and Harvey Kurtzman, both intellectual types, always felt uncomfortable working together. <Putnam and Feldstein will become a smooth-running team, allowing Putnam creative touches as long as clarity is maintained.> Feldstein thinks Kurtzman had started in the right direction, but it’s one kind of humor threatened to go off on a tangent. He seeks a more general appeal.

    With Harvey Kurtzman gone, Feldstein contacts John Severin to do some work for HIS Mad magazine. Way back on 1954-08-14 (after Mad #10) Severin had sent a letter to Kurtzman and Bill Gaines stating that he had to resign from any book edited by Kurtzman. Unfortunately for Feldstein, Severin has just accepted a staff position with Stan Lee at Atlas (offered because of what led to the departure of Feldstein?). As such, Lee won’t let him work for the competition. Lee has Severin working primarily on western features.  On the other hand, for unknown reasons, Severin has only done four stories on a Feldstein book (Weird Fantasy #18-21). The staff job may not have been necessary to keep him from working for Feldstein. Lee will have Severin ink Kirby on the suddenly late in production Yellow Claw #2. (ME: Correction. Severin does the cover of #2, but doesn't ink interiors until #4 - the last issue. Kirby would ink his own work with the help of his wife Roz for #2 and #3.)

    History in the making...best move would of been getting Harvey like 50/50 but Al was a solid sub...and the rest is history...great summary thank you!!!! But Trump 1/2 were great, but not MAD....he sort of raised the baron those. One question is sales...does anyone know how issues 1 sold and issues 2....on trump.

    • Popular Post
    • Popular Post

    Remember the days when people paid huge money for old comic books?

    in Golden Age Comic Books

    Posted · Edited by Mmehdy

    On 9/6/2023 at 3:07 PM, Tri-ColorBrian said:

    In 1966 there was a copy of Batman 11 in the window of Cherokee Book Shop for $25.  It sat there for years until it was extremely faded by the sun.  In 1966, if you could find a copy of Action #1 it would have been $100.  I saw one at Collector's Books that year, but $100 might as well have been a million dollars for me back then. 

    I can remember early 1960-1 and they used have a thing called "gas wars" and my dad commenting on the fact we were paying only 25 cents a gallon. So I agree with you that money was hard to come by,scarce. We bought a single family house with a detached garage and nice yard  house in Belmont California circ I think very early 1962..Jan for $17000. When we left to go to Sacramento cira 1964 we sold it for a amazing profit of like 5K...I think we got 21K or 23K. Today that house on Zillow is way over 3 million dollars....3.5-3.7.

    Which brings to me an interesting point. A point I have never addressed publicly about my purchase of the Action #1 for an astounding over 3x time price guide at the time. What in my DNA cause me to do that. Well it was something that was taught to me by my parents. something learned.

     My parents were avid coin collectors. Not jus the run of the mill "Red Book" go to the coin store typical collectors. They joined a local coin club, went to shows, and their best friends were big time coin collectors. Their Son older than me was a comic collector...big time, I was too I had say 300 and he had several thousand. I can remember a time of tension, and outright disagreement as to how dedicated collectors they  really  were. My father was the go for broke collector and my was too buy say 90%. Anyway my dad wanted to purchase a set one round and one with edges Pan Pacific Gold coin set which I think..don't hold me to it was $5000 at the time...maybe 10K....now Mom wanted a bigger house, a lot bigger house than we had, Dad wanted the coin set. They went back and forth on which way to go. Their coin collector friends sided with dad I was there like a sponge  ....."saying that the value of the coins will never go down only up and they were in top condition and  That is rare to get a set. It was a stretch all the way. My dad said something I will never forget....This is what a true collectors do...go to scary places sometimes....that was my understanding as best for my age. Well today they probably worth say 400-500K or something like that set wise. My dad did sell them when we moved to Sacramento to help pay for the more expensive bigger house with a giant yard in a quite suburb called Carmichael CA so it was a win-win in way for the family.

     I learned that, when I paid a absurd price  at the time, and some say reckless price...I did not care if I lost all the money....if I was laughed at, if a comic book dealer at a convention refused to see me books because I  ruined the comic book market so be it.

     True collectors, comic, coin,and stamp sometimes  have to...take a chance and go with your gut....it seems when you do...the rewards for far far greater than the purchase itself.

    Remember the days when people paid huge money for old comic books?

    in Golden Age Comic Books

    Posted

    On 9/4/2023 at 7:09 AM, Robot Man said:

    Back in 1967 the “hardest to find EC comics” were worth an astounding $25. each! 

    IMG_7238.jpeg

     I think 1953 is  one is the least hardest. But coming for the 1970's those annuals, especially for CA collectors were just impossible. I think NY collectors were able to buy them off the newsstands much easier. TTA1 is a truly rare book and I think I the Ha copy coming up for auction is a great opportunity to get it.

    CBCS "Lost" my Stan Lee signed Fantastic Four 48 (stolen?)

    in Silver Age Comic Books

    Posted · Edited by Mmehdy

    This is not you mail and take a chance and send your book in. This is a submission in person...generally not the same risk involved than  shipping it. CBCS screwed it up.....that alone when you hand them the book would cause great concern.....Do not get me wrong, I like Steve and he is no longer there...with the company. I hope you somehow get your book back.

    CBCS "Lost" my Stan Lee signed Fantastic Four 48 (stolen?)

    in Silver Age Comic Books

    Posted · Edited by Mmehdy

    On 9/2/2023 at 12:17 PM, Gaard said:

    I'm curious what makes a company top tier.

    I do not think CGC would try to put one over on a collector whom a book  which was very important  and difficult to replace by attempting to compensate for the loss, by saying you cannot use CGC or CBCS graded books as a measure of loss or compensation in true value.  That ignores market place reality and  actual replacement costs and is  certainly is  insulting  and a step below CGC..opps make that a mile..

    CBCS "Lost" my Stan Lee signed Fantastic Four 48 (stolen?)

    in Silver Age Comic Books

    Posted · Edited by Mmehdy

    On 8/23/2023 at 5:14 PM, Oat Willy1 said:

    Thanks. Yes it is. I've had this comic since the 80's and had it signed by Stan in the early 90's, and it's been one of the main crown jewels in my collection, so to have this happen has been distressing to say the least. And to add insult to injury CBCS is trying to lowball me on reimbursement by offering me only $1000. I asked the guy (a guy named "Chase") how they arrived at that amount, and he told me "fair market value". I was in front of my computer so when he said that I looked up ended listings of FF 48 on Ebay, and even low-grade unsigned copies were selling for more than that. When I quoted the prices to him Chase says "well yeah but those are CGC graded, CGC graded books sell for more" LOL. I could not F'ing believe it. But turns out they "lost" a bunch of books, not just mine, and they're doing this lowball offer thing to everyone. And they're wanting us to sign a waiver agreeing to relinquish our ownership of our books. So basically if you sign the waiver and except the meager payment, and they suddenly "find" your book(s), they are now legally the owners and can do whatever they want with them, i.e; sell them with a big profit margin. The whole affair reeks of a scam. So yeah, as if losing a valued item that means a lot to you isn't bad enough.... 

    CGC all the way, CBCS is a second tier company. Classic line CGC sells for more....Duh

    E.C. Fan Addict THREAD

    in Golden Age Comic Books

    Posted · Edited by Mmehdy

    On 8/28/2023 at 12:23 AM, fifties said:

    So the 1.8 TOT's next bid will be at $2,040 W/ the BP, and that's W/ 19 days -almost 3 weeks- to go.  I too am interested, but as is often the case at HA, it'll sail well past the contents in my coin purse. 

    Any speculation as to what the final hammer will be at?  With the 5.0 closing at approximately 25 grand, that's five thousand per grade point, meaning if this one follows suit, it may go for 9 grand.  What do you think?

    Current bid on TTA #1 at Ha  is $2500 or $3000 with BP with 16 days to go....I think it will be under 5K going into the auction and then it who really wants it. Under 10K agreed.

    E.C. Fan Addict THREAD

    in Golden Age Comic Books

    Posted · Edited by Mmehdy

    On 8/28/2023 at 7:47 AM, Robot Man said:

    No idea and no way to project these days. I do believe more serious bidders have been eyeing the 1.8. I believe the sale of the 5.0 will drive up the price of the 1.8 more so than if the 5.0 had never been offered.

    As rare as this book is, there are 29 on the census and I know of at least 5 other ungraded copies. And how many unknown copies? Two in one auction. I believe these prices might bring out a few more soon.

    The census is just an indication of how many copies exist...do not let that fool you, this book is impossible to get because the owners of it know, that if they sell it would be impossible to replace and probably overtime cost a lot more money. If it is a stretch then make it, you will not be sorry. I agree with robo, contents can enhance the value, this has COT1 in it. That adds value, Robo your content on your copy is fantastic!

    E.C. Fan Addict THREAD

    in Golden Age Comic Books

    Posted · Edited by Mmehdy

    On 8/27/2023 at 7:10 AM, Robot Man said:

    I was referring to the 5.0 that closed at $24,725. I know you started predicting it at $50K then revised it down to $30K. What do you think of the final hammer price? Deal or no deal? Or just about right? 

    my take, in the old market pandemic 50K.....coming out of it 30K....today 25K....if not for the strong color copy...it might of been 20K. In the long run it will play out well for the buyer, really not replaceable with those deep covers. However,  I am concerned about the price regression from the last sale....last one was like 25-26K which shows the overall downward trend of key books in the last two years. If the seller had to pancake it  right away, he might lose money like those promise  non -collector gamblers who are flipping back and taking a big hit most of the time.

     This is sort of a warning sign....OK 25K for a EC book graded 5.0 is a big stretch for EC collectors...I get it...but I am worried, when a once in a lifetime book with exceptional color and graded in my opinion accurately based on a eyes on look does not go up from the last sale or is even close in price...then I see a red flag  day coming for all serious  GA collectors. However this might be the best time in history now or in the future  to go after the 1.8....right now its $1650....after this sale. So, I mean if any book is going to survive some sort of price adjustment it would be this one, and on the lower price end you are very very safe. It took a collector friend of mine over 30 years to find his copy that was #1 on this list for  that  entire time.

    E.C. Fan Addict THREAD

    in Golden Age Comic Books

    Posted · Edited by Mmehdy

    On 8/26/2023 at 7:28 AM, Robot Man said:

    OK, Mitch don’t keep us in suspense. What did it go for? A deal or not? 

    WHICH ONE...CC SEE ABOVE...The Ha current auction copy is only $1550...it is a 1.8 and looks great...21 days to go... This is the one if you are on a budget you have been waiting for. The CC price was strong and I think we will never see that copy again for a long long time and in that condition a great buy. FYI when I mentioned along with CC that colors were exceptional when I looked at it at SDCC...compare the 1.8 color....I mean wow...the CC copy was insane....The 1.8 is a great book, affordable.....my guess 5-7K.

    HA August 24, 2023 pulp action-Ultra rare THe Gorrila of the Gas bags!!!

    in Pulp Magazines

    Posted

    On 8/20/2023 at 7:47 AM, Bookery said:

    On the plus side -- this is one of the rarest of all pulps (are there even 10 extant copies in the world-- who knows?).  On the downside -- it's so obscure that only die-hard longtime pulps collectors have ever even heard of it.  Frank Robinson was obsessed with high-grade copies of his pulps, so one suspects this "vg" copy was the best he could find.  Still-- it's not Shadow #1, or the All-Story Tarzan, or Weird Tales #1... so, based on the multiples of 2020 Guide a lot of things have been going for, and factoring in the above observations, and then tossing in an "I haven't really got a clue"... I'll go out on a limb and say $30k with bp.

    WOW 30 K....amazing pulps have come a long way since that original price guide...super!!!!