Moondog

I don't see how the $57K copy can be upgraded. It was pressed by CCS. Unless the back cover can be bleached in some new manner that can remove the tide lines, and some new paper added to the small abrasion, all in a manner that's undetectable, this book is maxed out. Now, could it be cracked and resubbed and get a 6.0 because on that day the graders looked at the beautiful FC and said to themselves, "9.0 FC+ 3.0 BC = 6.0. Yes, that's possible.

An 8.0 just sold for $825 on ComicConnect. That sounds reasonable to me.

Yes, but I don't believe it would have sold for more if it had white pages. The collectors who wanted this book wanted it for the front cover.

I agree regarding PQ. The $57K 5.0 had c/ow pages...

I told the owners of the 8.0 FF 1 that I thought it would sell for $30,000-$35,000. I was very pleased with the $35K.

Prior to all the craziness of the past few months I would have thought $50,000 or so. Now $65,000? Things are just so volatile it's hard to say.

I think your book is a perfect example of the fundamental change we're seeing in the demand and pricing of SA Marvels. In the past this book would have been much more desirable than the 5.0 that sold for $57K. It has a strong spine, crisp center image and clean back cover - and the Marvel chipping would, for the most part, be ignored by most potential buyers. The "structure" is exceptional. Unfortunately the chipping is not attractive, especially the nick at the top, and this detracts from the QP. Just as the 5.0 bidders ignored the BC damage, they will ignore how beautiful this back cover is if you were to sell it. I'm not sure what I'm describing is "fair" but quality of presentation of the front cover seems to trump all for SA keys in today's hobby. Of course the number on the front will be the overriding factor, but for the foreseeable future books with Marvel chipping will get hammered.

Some of you know that I was the seller of the 5.0 that sold for $57K. I told the couple who own it that the timing was perfect for this book. I told them not to be shocked if it sold for $40-45K, but I was shocked at its final price. This is such a beautiful thing for these nice people who truly need the money. The owner of this book is going to get this reaction from everyone who sees it, "Wow! That's a beautiful copy!"

I believe that's the only explanation that makes sense to me...

I would have loved to have added it to my Action Funnies and Action Comics, but the NG just turned me off. I asked Mark how he priced the pair and he said he really didn't do it that way. In my head I had the DA 2 at $50,000. That puts $30,000 on the DA ashcan, which seems a bit low to me. I don't understand why they didn't sell each separately. I think it hurt the overall valuation.

Valuations for ashcans have suffered from their extreme rarity for decades. No real market for a particular book, or the category as a whole can develop, because they just don't turn up for sale on any sort of regular basis. But I believe if the DA ashcan had a grade the two books would have hit $150,000 easily. So many collectors were turned off by the NG designation. I was.

I agree with your assessment, Billy, in regard to Suspense 3, but Fishler's Fantastic 3 mania no doubt increased the demand/price for this book.

Mid-grade copies of the Eerie ashcan first print are in the $500/$600 range. Sold my 9.2 two years ago for $1,050. A 9.4 should be around $1,500. Not sure about the counterfeit...

I believe this too. If I were the collector hoarding them, it would not have nearly the impact. The top collectors, many on this site, can affect the demand for books.

Here's an original photo of the Detective 1 from the Windy City collection.

It was a Sunday afternoon. I get a call from a guy who has some SA Marvels in a western suburb. I go over and they're pretty nice but they were stored badly and all had water stains and I tell him I'm not interested. Then he blows my mind and says his uncle, was an artist back in the "early days" of comics and he inherited his uncle's stuff. He brings out copies of all the different books his uncle worked on and saved (Funny Pages, Little Giant, Detective Picture Stories, etc.). Needless to say I was shocked. I asked him if they had any original art but he said no - just the comics. So I ended up buying the family archive and not the guys childhood Marvels!

I bought the artist's copy of this book from his nephew. It was Yuknis' only cover. There was no original art in the family archive...

An old friend has one that I graded 5.0 outside and 6.0 inside. Not that rare... But cool nonetheless.

The Marvel 1 today is a 9.0. The Cap is an 8.5. The other 4 are out there, but not sure who owns them today. My notes would have them thus: Bat 1: 8.0, WDC&S 7.0, Supes 1 3.0, Whiz 2 4.0.

It was a very weird (and sad) scene - grown men diving into Bob's books like crazed madmen. Thankfully I had drunk enough that I was simply bemused by the whole thing instead of participating!

6 Windy Citys I wish I still had. Original photo from before I bought them...

Looking good!

It was sad when the producers told me about the interviews with the local cops how they really took Homer's death personally. Really a lousy situation - roughing up an old man to steal his collection...

I'm with you, Bob. Jon was always there with information to anyone who asked. A true gentleman and a collector of extraordinary taste. It's sad on one hand but exciting on another. Best of luck, Jon!!!