In what sense are you a collector?
I qualify as a collector since I collect comics, books, magazines, etc. because I am interested in their reading content. I mean that generally I would not collect a comic just because I like the cover, or because I like the art.
I can purchase something I like but its occasional, and generally has little to do with the fact the thing is sought after (i.e. I dont care about having an Iron Man #55 at those prices).
I do like rare things if they have historical value but that Punisher coloring book is mostly a curiosity, and I dont like the idea of dealers charging those prices for that, thats all.
I agree with you on collecting as just to read. Back home I have probably 10-12,000 books that are cover value from 70s-90s but as a kid more was better and I loved reading them. As an adult my focus has obviously went foreign but I still feel like that same kid when my dad brought home my books every Friday from the store.
Yes i wish the prices were low but that is the law of Supply and Demand...
More collectors versus quantity of a book = higher prices...
I agree on the IM55,some high price books have no sentimental value so I will pass....but some books I will pay 20-50 times any market value for.
In stock market we do the same thing. If there is no market on a stock, we create whats called a "Market Maker" to see who will buy
of we have a new stock at an (IPO) initial price offering to see how people will react.
I take the same philosophy form stock market to the books. Market Makers and IPO offers get the IM55s and the Brazilian 129s and the Arabic 227s
Market watchers do just that,...watch...