aokartman

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

That image is from Scott Dunbier's CAF. David

I wish it was that easy. I once created a cool illustrated mailer to send if anybody responded to my CBG classified ad. I'm sure it's in a box in the attic. David

I have taken offers to end auctions early on EBAY, but I revise the listing for the buyer to "buy now" at their higher price and it has always worked. I only do it if there are no other bidders. EBAY gets their cut, and the buyer gets the comfort of the site security. David

That's a shame. EBAY is OK for handling low end stuff yourself, but not so great for something like this. Better to use a broker, like a dealer you trust, or a reputable auction house. David

It's a shame EBAY doesn't archive for the public record. Just too much, I guess. Grateful for what we get. David

Nice cover for somebody. Great candidate for a title overlay, a little mat board, and frame.

SOLD, thanks! Thanks for checking this out! Here is an uncommon promotional comic book for Pocahontas Coal and it is 68 pages. About fine condition, see pics. Currently on EBAY, with a $50 start bid. Thanks for looking, and send me a message with any questions, I got this about 30 years ago at Brimfield's flea markets. Best, David S. Albright

Send some my way! David

We tend to forget that the auction venue is a last resort in some situations. Sometimes, it's just the dumpster. David

Yeah nothing recent, but I have a story from the 1990s when I was still employed by the US Postal Service. I picked up some Neal Adams Ben Casey dailies, Joe Kubert Green Beret, Al Capp dailies and this was just before the internet. I'll try to embellish, but right now, i will just post this. Thanks, David S. Albright I still have a nice 1940s Abner daily in the Lena Hyena thread, an early Adams Casey on my CAF, the Kubert is gone. The consignor was having trouble getting paid by the auctioneer, and by a fluke, I got her contact info from a paper scrap on the floor after the auction. I helped her get her money. Her dead husband was a war time buddy of one of the Caplin brothers, and Jerry (?) sent this man some art. Forgive me if you have heard this story before. I paid $800 and so she was waiting on her take and it isn't a nice story, but a happy ending. David

F For Fake said ..."Works for me, maybe I can afford a Kirby before I die! Huzzah!" I'm not sure if you are kidding here. But, I wanted a Kirby in the 1990s when I was buying comic art. I had missed out on some chances, then I picked up a Captain Victory page. When a Kamandi page came up, I took the plunge at $400, but the Captain Victory had to go. That's as far as I got, and I'm happy with my Kamandi. You might find some nice Kirby bargains on lesser characters, so keep an eye peeled. David

Good post, those prices may seem silly today, but the market was still growing. There were fewer buyers then for classic pages than there are today. Fun to see if it all holds up. Fingers crossed. I am hoping for a gentle wave of transition to new collectors! Old Dave, David S. Albright

Check the internet for availability if there is a certain strip that has caught your eye. Google dealer sites, auction houses, CAF, CAT, are all good info. Check past sales results and current asking prices. Send messages to people here with questions. Sometimes there are many similar ones to choose from and that can indicate a common strip that you could wait on or bid low. If there is scarcity, plus desirability, you can decide how bad you want it. Don't rule out a future flood of the market in your category of interest or research. Even many desirable artists have plenty of strips out there. Try to imagine what your future collection will look like. Go for it when one really strikes you as a favorite for all the right reasons. I really like strips, the format, the history, broad appeal with great characters and content. Click to embiggen this 1949 Superman strip by Wayne Boring. I am a sucker for checkered, plaid, block printed, and cross hatched clothing. David

It's a good news article. I have run into a couple similar situations where the owners don't care enough about value. They want it gone. Why argue? You become the new caretaker. David

The earlier seller had a messed up description, which likely led to the bad initial result. It happens.

Published. Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs. Detective #841 (2008).

Maybe Bill could create a simple donate function when you access the site. Everybody else does it. David

Thanks for that. I am liking the Stan Goldberg covers, and the early Tracy dailies. David

I get it, success leads to change. I'm sorry the books and art are not on the same week night any more. David

And yet....they are still in business after 30-40 years. Maybe they are on to something. I disapprove of their deceptive descriptions and shenanigans. But buy low, sell high in an inflating market is not a bad strategy. At this point, they are way ahead of that game. If the bubble bursts,, it will burst for most collectors. Some discrete fields are already in decline. It will be interesting to watch the results of the HA comic strip auction. Personally, I am trying to reduce my inventory for family reasons. They are not as interested as I am. Good conversation, David

Very nice! The images are good and you can magnify them. David

I doubt you will find a consensus on values of relative forms of the comic book art, though there will be likely no lack of opinions! My preference is lettering directly on the page, inks over original pencils (look for traces), factory stats (not later replacements), any restoration should be fully disclosed, even if amateur. If the seller is aware, they should disclose whatever they know about a piece. That is just me, there are some other iterations of production "art" which also appeal to me, but on a different level. Best, David

Seriously. While I think most original comic art is undervalued, it is curious to hear big collectors talk about bubbles. I think waves is more appropriate. David

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