tth2

I would guess it was the first time someone tried to charge more than cover price for a comic.

I have RBCC issues from the 70s. There is more than one article lamenting the inability to collect like they used to. I've been collecting for over 40 years and can confirm that the only time prices have ever seemed cheap is when they're viewed in the rearview mirror.

I don't know about that. I'm always reading on these Boards that the ultra-low grade books have actually outperformed the high end books (on a percentage basis, of course).

A backwards swastika is a common Buddhist symbol. In fact, that's the correct direction, and it's the Nazi swastika that is backwards.

Wow, comic bidding patterns are starting to resemble OA bidding patterns, with big bids being put in early rather than being played close to the vest as has traditionally been the case. I wonder if that's the case for the biggest ticket books because their unique nature makes them more like OA, and therefore owners of comparable books are putting in defensive bids to protect the valuation.

Does this mean Sandman art will go further out in the stratosphere? Or is this the Gaiman tax on this specific auction? I guess we'll find in the upcoming Signature Auction, which once again has a ton of Sandman pages.

I was wondering how the unpublished pieces would do. The answer is very strongly, no doubt thanks to the Gaiman connection.

The Vess Sandman #75 page went for $48,000.

The Totleben Miracleman #16 cover went for $96,000.

Wow. The Jill Thompson page from Sandman #48 went for $36,000! I'm getting the feeling that I'm not going to win the piece I've got my eye on.

Strong prices. The Jean Giraud (Moebius) Death Pin-Up went for $96,000.

The Watchmen #7 page went for $132,000.

Following the live auction right now, Neil Gaiman is there doing live commentary on each lot. Very cool!

Yes, it also helps to be a big buyer.

The key is to make at least one big consignment that gives you maximum leverage in negotiations. That puts you on their radar as a player, and after that, you can usually make smaller consignments and still get the same deal because you're considered to be one of their big consignors. What people should avoid is just constantly doing small piecemeal consignments, because then you're just viewed as an ad hoc consignor and will be assessed on each consignment on a standalone basis (i.e., no discounts). So if what you'd be consigning is a bunch of less valuable pieces rather than 1 or 2 big ticket pieces, it's better to hold off consigning with Heritage until you can consolidate a fairly sizeable/valuable lot to be consigned all at once (which doesn't necessarily mean they'd all go in the same auction, as they might go into the weekly auctions if they don't make the cut for a Signature Auction, and might be spread out over multiple weekly auctions if you've got a lot of pieces, but Heritage will view it as one big consignment).

The joy of the thrill bid!

Who are you and what have you done with the real Lou_Fine?

A lot of folks don’t bring enough dollar value to the table to make it worthwhile to HA. Given the vast increase in the number of OA auctions Heritage has been running over the past 3 years, there is no shortage of consignors/consignments headed their way, so they have become more selective with who gets discounts, the discount/$consignment dollar ratio, and increased lot values for their Signature and International auctions. I say nothing ventured, nothing gained. I just don't see the point of negotiating against one's self and not even asking Heritage the question because you've already convinced yourself that they'll say "No". If one asks Heritage to reduce their fees, the worst thing that can happen is that they say "No". Unless one has a pathological fear of rejection, what's the harm in trying? It's not like they're going to blacklist you or send thugs to beat you up for having the temerity to ask.

Didn't surprise me, as the Roussos inks were horrible.

Is there really any negotiation though? Isn't it just a function of the value of your total consignment? One may be an awesome negotiator, but if the items are only worth the minimum (be it $5K or $10K). I don't think they will move from their list prices. Your only leverage is that you will chose another auction house. And again, at $10K or so, I don't think they will care. Malvin I get the impression that some people don't even try to negotiate, because it doesn't occur to them that it's even an option.

I agree. Could you tell that to all of the Byrne X-Men and Miller DD page owners out there?

Is "neither" a choice? #NotA70sKirbyFan

its a perfect one and done Life & Times page. All 12 chapters represented in one shot. Yeah, but still--$45k!

Some decent prices on pieces I was following on Day 1 of the International auction: Bolland Judge Dredd page -- $21,875 Phil Davis Mandrake the Magician Sunday -- $23,125 Raymond Flash Gordon/Jungle Jim Sunday -- $51,250 Don Rosa Anders And & Co. Splash -- $45,000 (this one really surprised me)

10% is already a discount. Last i checked it starts at 15% The starting point for any negotiation should be 0% seller fee.