aokartman

I have stuff acquired 25 years ago that I am not selling. I do sell, or try to sell, some other art that I have in abundance or has gone out of favor with me in the context of my collection. So, call me partial black hole, grey hole? Offer me a gaziillion, and then we'll talk. Most people have a price if it is large enough. I'm no exception. David

Yeah, I have reflections on the brothers, but, it is not all bad. My sense is they got in early, or were gifted a bunch of art, got burned, and decided to refresh their selling model which has held to this day. I have sold to (them). Outsider Dave David S. Albright

The long time dealers with deep inventory are not in a big rush to sell at fire sale prices. What would be the point? Because of the rising market, they can stand to wait for the buyer that really desires that specific piece. This approach has worked for them in the past, and will continue as long as the model works. David

Love the mob type criminal so appropriate for Jack at that time. Great cover! David

Well said, I have found my appreciation of the original art increases over time when I learn about back stories. It makes it personal, and this is a reason collectors like shows with artist appearances. I haven't attended any major shows, but my limited contact with the artists at local events has been informing. Joe Staton told me he doesn't sell his E-MAN art, but I got a nice cover off the internet? Granted, this was a later iteration. Maybe I can send up a pic. David Click to embiggen.

That thread was so interesting, not so much about Mike, but about the fine print in the auction house declarations. It turns out he was not doing anything against the rules of the house, though I think he agreed to withdraw some lots to quiet down the internet discussion. For me, it was an eye-opener about the shenanigans at this level. I was familiar with bidding pools since I was a teenager going to local auctions with my mother. Dealers would get together and decide who would hold off on bidding up certain lots that fellow dealers wanted, for a consideration, of course. The thread woke me up to, of course, such activity exists at a more sophisticated level in the international auction marketplace for original comic art. Sometimes, it seems it is you against the house for any particular item. But there is so much out there in different venues that a knowledgeable collector can find nice satisfying art with a little diligence. And when it comes time to sell, the house might have your back. David

That was such an informative thread about the workings of auctions. Thanks for saving it. David

It seems like a decent page, I'm not sure of either value ($450, $1500), but good luck to the concerned collectors! Mike making a buck, what's not to love? A vibrant market place benefits everyone who is a fan for whatever reason. David

Yeah, any time I give art related gifts, it is a edit shoot. I have gotten some nice art back from deceased relatives. Ouch. David

Show us the page! I also have had good dealings with David Gearhart. Best, David

LINK TO SEVERIN EBAY AUCTION Thanks for checking this out! I just listed my (only) John Severin page on EBAY with a $100 start, or BUY NOW for $250. Original ink on duotone Bristol board. No condition issues, check the auction. I always ship flat and sturdy. A hand written note from Calvin Slobodian is included in the auction. Questions welcome in the thread or send me a personal message. Best, David S. Albright

fear of missing out

Nice piece if you are strong collector of Superman. Weak sauce for me, artistically, but it's a must have for a Shuster completist, I suppose. David Edit....Here is Shuster from HA archives from 1983 and a 1977 piece dedicated to Coddington. Looks a bit tighter.

Typically, a fine art canvas would be framed without glass, possibly matted. Your piece in particular has such a gestural quality, I think a frame is not necessary, and possibly awkwardly inappropriate. I suggest you just hang it and live with it for a while. Hopefully the artist has used permanent media rather than marker. David

Yeah, I have some wonderfully framed comic strip art from my early collecting years, Al Capp, Rube Goldberg, Bugs Bunny, Gene Ahern, Vic Forsythe, Blondie, etc. Most are not worth much more than the framing effort in a resale environment. Frame what you like, but don't count on future value of the framing projects. Could be a negative, actually, when you go to sell....and, you will, or your heirs. Edit ...sorry if this came across as a downer, just trying to say something real for collectors as they age. Old David

Cool, $35,000.

I understand, but what's next, someone gets outed for a misdemeanor? It's just for fun! When I buy the occasional piece, I'm not thinking about the "budget edition" threshold, please tell me you are just buying what you like at the price point you are comfortable with rather than can i win next year's budget edition with this one? My standing in the "budget edition" archive is not a marker in my career as a collector or buyer, seller, I mark it down as extracurricular. David

I agree with this sentiment. I didn't enter this as a competition, rather more as a venue to show off and get feedback for a piece which was in the price range. It's a small enough community that no reward is necessary other than likes and thumbs up emojis, at least as far as I'm concerned. Best,, David

Ah, floating, it is a great look, and I agree about keeping margin notes visible. Just use archival hinges/adhesive, and only outside the art area would be my bit of caution as a suggestion. David

Thrilled to be near the top with my new Batman page. Thanks, everyone! David S. Albright

I agree. In many cases, across all fields of consumer goods, if you are buying at retail, you will never get a return on your "investment". Auctions do offer opportunity, but check the terms of the auction house. My favorite strategy is to track a bunch of stuff, check it, throw in a low bid, and once in a while I get something which is cool and maybe ended at a nice price, while fitting into my collection and not breaking the bank! Not a business model, but more of a compulsive collector's model. David

Great story Alex, I wonder what he might have done with Calvin and Hobbes for $200! David

Agree. If you are buying during the lifetime of an artist at the peak of their powers as an artist, there is a strong likelihood your money spent will not be recovered in your lifetime. But, that is not why you bought it, hopefully. David

Around 1984, apparently. My apologies for the thread hijack, I will do some Skottie Young research. Added to previous post an available Skottie cover (not mine) on CAF. David

I am banking on intact unrestored published hero covers from the 60s-90s with original title stats holding their value and the best examples (artist, character, content) continuing to rise. They have been the bedrock of my collection, and the ones I have sold I keep seeing people making money off them 20 years later. Edit, sorry, forgot art credits, Ed Hannigan pencils, Klaus Janson inks below on the DC cover. This Skottie cover is asking $2000 on CAF. David