Unovis

On 8/28/2021 at 6:51 PM, John E. said:

Not knowing what issue you are talking about puts limitations on our advice and opinions. But let me offer you a contrary viewpoint. I have seen complete books for sale that have 1-2 "A" pages, 3 "B" pages, followed by 20 C-level, talking heads, out-of-costume pages. If someone decided to buy it and break it up, that person might get some good money on the A and B pages, but the sale of those might not even get him to break even. Now he's stuck with 18-20 C pages that he can't move, or will sell for <$100. That said, it would probably be "easier" to sell the book complete because there is something special to owning a complete book, or as a particular rep likes to say, "Your very own Artist Edition." So evaluate what you have. Can you move each individual pages easily? Or do you have 89% C-level pages? Because if it's mostly C, then it may be in your best interest to complete the book.

That's a very good point  I will have to take a look at these pages. For sure the missing page is an A page.

On 8/28/2021 at 9:19 PM, Varanis said:

Why does it matter what the complete issue is worth if you're never going to break it up?

Because breaking it up is not the same thing as not selling it. I don't mind selling it. Just that I won't be breaking it up.

On 8/28/2021 at 2:41 PM, Will_K said:

So you had a deal in place to buy the entire story and then the rep and artists sold that page?  Did you find out about that before or after receiving the pages ? 

From your first post, I thought you were trying re-assemble the story but this sounds much worse.  If I thought I had a deal for an entire story and then a page got pulled, I would've called off the deal.

There was an ebay auction for entire un-inked/unpublished complete story.  Before buying, I asked the seller to confirm all the pages were there.  He confirmed.  Upon receipt, one of the pages was missing.  I asked about the page.  Then he admits he didn't really count the pages.

I don't remember exactly what happened. This was 20 years ago. I had been buying various pages from the series over the past year and decided to try to put together a whole issue. The artwork was, as usual, split between the penciller and the inker. I arranged to get the pages at 50 or 100 a page; can't remember. The book came separated and then I noticed the missing page. So I was not out any money. The pickup was either at the SD Comic-Con or just prior. Probably just prior...in any case, I remember going to the SDCC and trying to get all three of them to help me get the "missing" page. The two talents basically said the other one screwed up. And I believe the rep never had the artwork. But since I was not actually out any money the three of them didn't care. (Something does not add up here....too much time has passed)

I obviously learned a lesson there but also never bought another page from that series again. I have been trying to acquire the missing page ever since then but, as this thread as thought me, it is not quite worth it any longer. I loved the series for the writing anyway. The art was always average, at best. But collecting OA because of the writing is a whole other topic...

On 8/28/2021 at 11:55 AM, malvin said:

I don't believe there is a premium for complete issue, rather it is a discount.

People break up books because it fetches more.

Malvin

Thank you Malvin. That is what I expected. Paying 3K or so for my last page would not be worth it if the entire book is worth less than the sum of the individual pages. If I was intending on breaking up the book I certainly would not bother to get the last page. I had been wanting to get the entire book way back in the day because I loved it. Thanks for confirming it would be a loss at this point to complete it.

JG

On 8/28/2021 at 6:56 AM, Timely said:

It depends on the book and the price. Is the page $300 or $3000?
 

Also, is the missing page the best page, the worst or somewhere in the middle?

 

Most people break up complete issues because the parts are worth more than the whole, as most cannot afford the whole, or don’t want the whole. If your plan down the road is to break it up anyway, no need to buy it. 

The page is multiple thousands and is the best page in the book. <rant>That is why the #%%# penciller/inker and their rep sold it outside of the deal I had in place to buy the full issue. All three did not care about that deal.</rant> 20 years later I am still trying to piece together the full issue but with the market as it now the page is super expensive. I don't think it is going for more than expected, unlike the other story in this thread, just that I am not sure if it is worth being a completist unless doing so would increase the overall value. If can get the last piece I will never break it up. If cannot I am not sure what I will do with other pages.

I have 23 of 24 pages of an late 90's/early 2000 book mid-tier book. I have the opportunity to finally get the last remaining page but, with the market as it now, it is very expensive. I wouldn't even pursue the page on its own since I have so many more pages from the series. So my question is about completing the book... Does actually having a complete run matter? Will it magically take the book from $20k if sold individually to $30k if it is complete? 

Complete issues is not something I have ever priced as they seem to be very rare. But I suspect that breaking up the book would sell for more than the entire book would sell for. But I am really not wanting to break it up and, had the last page been selling for something reasonable, I would not question buying it. But this last page is more expensive than the other 23 pages combined.

So, those who deal artwork regularly, is it worth it go after this page?

An inner wall water pipe broke and has been leaking into the wall and ceiling above where I had some framed artwork hanging. We just noticed this morning and the room is already smelling really damp. We do have the room airing out and have removed the artwork from the wall. But it seems the backing paper feels damp. Worse, the artwork is the thick stock Dave Sim uses and this was a double page. It is looking like the page is already bowing in the middle. What can I safely do to make sure this does not get ruined? I imagine using a hair dryer on the back would not be a good idea...

Any suggestions?   

What other artwork can you find that was used beyond the original comic? For instance, Transmetropolitan #2 page 20 was arguably the inspiration for the statue. What other pages are out there (besides the solo character standing alone)?

The Marvel chipping killed my grade. Otherwise it would have been at least 9.2... 

I have not had a chance to get this graded but it should turn out good. I need to find someone to press it as the picture does not show some unevenness on the cover that will easily press out.

I didn't think that HA sold this particular book very well. The listing itself might have had the census correct but it had the GPA sales completely wrong. They listed the normal version prices. So I am sure some collectors were even wondering why it was at $1100 when the GPA was what...$200 or so? And to go even higher would have been even crazier. Though I guess the few people who really want this don't really even need to read the details of the auction.

But even the live auction was bad. They didn't mention it was the variant nor that it is the only time that HA has even sold one of these. It was auctioned as just a Sandman #8. I was not a fan of the woman auctioneer. I thought the guy was a lot better. It would be curious to see which one of those auctioneers brings in more money above expectations for a book.

I am still waiting for mine to come back from CGC. I am expecting 9.6 and hoping for 9.8. Wife just might force me to sell it. I might cry....

Yes. The last 5 books I got back, 1 walk through and 4 standard, were all a full grade lower than I predicted (7.5 instead of 8.5 etc..). It could be a fluke but to be wrong on all of them was odd. I am still waiting for a half dozen books as economy slow that I dropped off at end of January. So maybe my luck will improve.

This is certainly not an expensive page but I am looking for Transmetropolitan issue 35 page 15.If anyone has any leads that would be great. Thanks

I loved this book when it came out so I bought these either off the shelf or within the first year. One of the 8's is the variant and I seem to recall paying $50 for it. I also have two of the 19 error editions but that does not seem to be a hot book. But I love that story in that issue. Anyway I need to get these graded sooner than later it seems...

Last Wonder Woman 10 cent. About to send this in for grading.