jlee

I feel like some of the digests don't get much love, but they are pretty scarce in my humble opinion.

 

 

Very tough books!

 

Looks like your copy is nicer than mine

 

 

But at one point, I had two of these.

 

 

Very tough books!

Looks like your copy is nicer than mine

This one was probably already posted but I cannot remember seeing too many copies of this giant.

Fawcett, with its last dying gasp, settles up, pays the man and then punts this title to Charlton in 1954. A few interesting treatments to a few photo covers, and then begins what I call The Golden Age of Silver, at least for Charlton. 1955, right up to the Code.

 

 

 

She does look Bakerish!

Probably because the inker is Ray Osrin who as we know did some of the best inking of Baker's work.

I hope ur wrong, and hope someone finds a St John OA collection.

 

If I own 3 St John originals I know more should be out there waiting to be discover.

I hope you are right. I would have to guess that some still exists as original artwork seems to come out of the woodwork, especially as prices start to rise. Thanks for sharing some of your beautiful pieces!

I don't know the rarity of this, but was surprised that I have not run across it long ago. It could be that it escaped my perusal due to being post-code.

 

Or it could be it escaped your perusal because I own all of the copies in the entire world. Except for yours. And maybe one or two others.

 

It is rare. And the #2 and 3 for this series, though nothing compared to this #1, cannot be found in grade (by me).

 

Here's the Bethlehem. Or at least that's what the seller said. Now for today's Romance Quiz: can you name or show any of the other widely acclaimed "finger pointing, you're a bad person" romance covers?

 

I can't recall ever seeing this book. It's pretty awesome!

Here's My Love Life 12. Not sure how tough it is, but I like this one.

 

 

Tough enough. One 8.0 in the census. I put this in my Fox Top Ten Five Three. I think it is superb. Well, she is. The artist, whose name I cannot get a reference to, drew great women but the men are...not.

 

Here's my copy. This book cannot be shown enough, imho. Nice books, Rip. Very nice!

 

Another great Fox cover. I have seen my share of this book though over the years and some in decent shape.

Some books in my collection.

 

Nice books but I hate to see those Personal Loves slabbed, as you can't see the tremendous Frazetta art!

Speaking of pricing, this generously graded VG by HA just went for $621. Lord knows what the back looks like. Surprisingly, HA included one of their rare full length vertical spine shots. For this price point! I was shocked, I tell you. Shocked!

 

 

 

 

 

If it were an honest VG I could see it. I sold a VG/F with a reglued spine for around that years ago ( I forget the exact amount , but it was between 6 and 700). But I don't see how that is any more than a 3.0.

 

I can see this getting a VG- if there was no stain on the forehead. But with that stain, agreed it is a 3.0 That has to be one of the worse spots for a stain.

 

 

My copy with a tiny bit of color touch.

 

 

 

I haven't seen this St John book pop for sale in years?

 

That Winking Buddha is pretty cool. Years ago they seemed pretty available. But in the past few years, it looks like most copies have dried up.

Beautiful copies gents! TAR 13 followed by 14. Just stunning work. I must admit, the 14 is the cover that really made me a Baker believer.

 

Lee, your Rhymes is so impressive, too.

 

I think Baker was just on a roll when he produced his TAR 13 and 14. He definitely had moments of inspiration like Frazetta, LB Cole, Kamen, and Schomburg that set him apart from most of his peers.

Lee now you're just showing off! (thumbs u

 

I have never owned a TADS 9, or 6 for that matter.

 

But I do own a 7. Fortunately for me, I am not hobbled with the archaic notion that photo covers are...unattractive. At least, I tell myself that!

 

 

 

Now who is showing off!!

I actually like and have a lot of photo covers, but I do prioritize drawn/painted covers.

Another pretty rare digest/comic

 

 

Who's got a TADS 7? Haven't seen that one posted in this thread yet, have we?

I used to have one but traded it years ago. At least it is a photo cover so not as desirable. At least I tell myself that.

Another pretty rare digest/comic

Speaking of pricing, this generously graded VG by HA just went for $621. Lord knows what the back looks like. Surprisingly, HA included one of their rare full length vertical spine shots. For this price point! I was shocked, I tell you. Shocked!

 

 

 

 

 

If it were an honest VG I could see it. I sold a VG/F with a reglued spine for around that years ago ( I forget the exact amount , but it was between 6 and 700). But I don't see how that is any more than a 3.0.

I can see this getting a VG- if there was no stain on the forehead. But with that stain, agreed it is a 3.0 That has to be one of the worse spots for a stain.

My copy with a tiny bit of color touch.

But I actually think the 13 should get more love than the TAR 9. This is Baker at his finest IMHO!

My first Teen-age Romances. Bought it for $5.00 @ my LCS.

 

 

And,what a deal that was!

Since people are sharing, here is my copy:

I have not seen many of these in my time.

How rare is this one.

 

Definitely rare for the condition. However, I have seen my share of lower grade copies of this book over the past 20+ years. Nice copy!

I don't think there was any Baker involvement in this cover.

 

Our man, or no?

 

 

None whatsoever.

 

You are probably right, but I think we agree this one is his (the next issue).

 

I would 100% agree that the 53 has no Baker. The 54 looks like Baker did a lot of the cover. Some of the people look like Baker pencils with someone else inking many of the faces. So maybe not all Baker but mostly Baker IMHO.

 

I thought there was one. I remember some months back, member KillKillKill began posting huge numbers of his -- mostly low-grade -- books. I don't know what happened to that thread or to him. Perhaps he changed his name?

KilIKillKill was a shill for a banned board member.

Was it luxx?

Also,hearing so much about it,does anyone have a picture of Negro Romance 4?

I'd love to see it..and maybe a request for LB Cole covers?

This is a niche of comics I have never really explored,and wow,I really am keen on it now.Thanks to everyone for opening my eyes to so many beautiful books.

Sidewalk Romance really knocks my socks off...seems so ominous..any interior shots ?Sorry to take up so much space gang,but thanks to all again for sharing this wonderful stuff.

Jimmers

 

Swiped from GCD (I don't own a copy):

 

 

There was one up for auction not long ago. There is a debate as to whether the cover might be by Matt Baker and, if so, whether he drew himself as the man in the car.

I definitely vote that this is not a Matt Baker cover. There seems to be virtually nothing in it that reminds me of Baker. It does have some Ajax characteristics that might have swiped some Baker style though.

Maybe not quite rare but one of my favorite non-Baker romance covers.

 

Many years ago, I was trying to acquire all the St. John Romance titles as well as all the Fox Romance books. I actually found it more difficult to get many of the Fox Romance titles and this cover is a good example of why people just weren't that interested in selling their Fox books.

The whole Baker thing is really interesting. I think we are likely to experience significant volatility in prices because we have a relatively small group chasing a relatively small number of copies.

 

I think Rick Starr is correct that the CL 25 went low last night because most Baker fans already have one and, unlike iconic books in other genres, Bakers don't seem to have much crossover appeal -- GCE 12 being the obvious exception. Perhaps there is some crossover with crime books as well, which might explain the otherwise very surprising sale of the 6th Street APC 6. In this respect, note that many of the GA boardies never post in this thread and, I would guess, just aren't interested in romance books. I think the floor that may exist for key books in other genres may not exist for Bakers.

 

So, we will have see whether the supply response that is occurring is enough to bring prices down -- at least from 6th Street levels! -- and make it possible to think of completing runs without buying a one-way ticket to the poorhouse.

 

Those with a long enough memory will remember that we've been here before, when scarce Baker romance issues first hit ebay, and a hard core bid up low grade copies to astronomical values. Then things gradually tapered off. CGC/high end copies have brought that intensity back. And as you say, it quickly fizles out when a small but significant number of copies of any given issue are acquired by a tiny romance community of sissy boys.

Very good point. Baker prices seemed to hit a peak in 2002 and then a real lowpoint in the 2006-2007 period. And then since 2012, it seems like a new high is achieved almost on a weekly basis.

I actually believe that there are much more Baker collectors than are active on this thread. And as we all know, when prices go up, many more collectors/investors are drawn to the excitement. So prices in my opinion can go in almost any direction. As we know, it only takes two to set a new record high. And I suspect there are at least three going after most of the high grade Baker books.

You wouldn't be saying this in a last ditch effort to discourage over-the-top bidding, would you?

 

Perhaps! you deep pocket guys drive me crazy!

 

My wife, who is a very wise woman (and not just for marrying me you understand) told me two important things

 

only a fool argues with the market

romance comics are for sissy boys

 

I would argue the first point, and my feelings were deeply hurt on the other.

We romance collecting men are known for our tough exterior and soft under bellies.

Gentlemen I stand ready to tell you why, unequivocally, what is happening should not be happening!

 

Later. In the meantime, to those who are circling the 6th st copy because it is more affordable than the CL 5.5, caution is advised. There may be more copies than you know out there. Just 2 more coming in at 6.0 or better will puncture this balloon right quick. And I think we can safely say that IF they are out there, you will see them this year due to these prices.

 

imho the TAR 9 cover is not great - just . Really, more beefcake than cheesecake. The blonde is not drawn very well, far from Baker's best. No making out, no hints of violence or submission. The tropical beach setting is nice, but there are better. And what are those lines in the sky? Are they supposed to be clouds? Baker had swipes for everything, what happened there? The main thing it's got going for it is a double entendre straight out of beavis and butthead - you said hold d*ck heh heh heh

 

Cinderella Love 25, while not my #1 favorite cover, in terms of its artistry is so much better. It has proven itself over time as iconic (at least, until now!). More later on pricing/demand & supply. Hint: there really isn't as much supply as you think.

 

Supply is an interesting topic. After some killer high sales prices on the CL 25, the fact that more didn't come out of the woodwork might suggest supply is pretty tight. I can say that in over 20+ years of aggressive Baker hunting, CL 25 was definitely not the hardest of the CLs to acquire. But that was just my experience.

The one fun part is that Baker is coming out of the woodwork and thus hopefully supply and demand will harmonize a bit more.