John E.

I found out about the move two days ago after I couldn’t for the life of me find the comic art auctions on Monday. Not sure how this will impact bidding. I feel like nothing goes under the radar anymore. I know that I always forget to put in my proxy bids on Monday, maybe this time I’ll remember since it’s midweek.

Isn’t this from Gene’s very first comic that got him reading and collecting? Paging @delekkerste

Well, gentlemen, my plans have been thwarted. Heritage is phasing in floor bidding so there are still Covid precautions, one of those being social distancing. They don't want the venue too crowded, and since I'm not going to be a bidder, well you know. Otherwise, these events are generally open to the public. I've been advised to check back September to see where they are at with protocols for their fall auction. I will say that my experience talking to Heritage about this was positive. They are very professional and personable.

I just got off the phone with Heritage. And you're right, whom I talked to on the other line was very personable. Anywho, she told me that they are phasing in live floor bidding and it sounded to me like they are still iffy about it She submitted a form for me that expresses my interest in attending the floor session and someone will get back to me prior to the session. For what exactly, I don't know. I'll see how this goes. Man, I hope I'm not the only one there because it's going to be awkward af not raising a paddle the entire time.

“Bidders only, son. Now scram.”

I have listened to that one and it certainly inspired me to visit and sit in! Thanks!

I may be in Dallas on the day of Heritage's Signature Session and I'm interested in attending and experiencing their live auction. Has anyone done this before in Dallas? First, it seems like the moratorium on floor sessions has been lifted. Am I wrong about that? Second, and most importantly, do I just show up and sign in? Do I need to call in advance? Do I need a ticket or something? I ask this because I've looked at the website and there is no specific information about how to attend a live a session. Any guidance is appreciated!

Research is very important to me. I've been burned because I didn't do my research. I couldn't do one of these claim shows unless it was a piece on which I had already done... the research.

I also lament selling my keys, albeit in low grade, to fund my OA. I wish I had sold other things instead. I'm also glad I hung on to the keys I do have. That said, I think about the maintenance to keep comics in good shape and I don't want to go back to that. I mean one ding can knock off hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars from your book. Forget that. One of the reasons I jumped to OA is because condition is a nominal matter. With the "rising" prices of OA, I made the realization that I'm priced out of the major auctions; but at the same time there are nice pieces to be had for reasonable price, like Rick2You says. Therefore, I still have skin in the game. It's about being resourceful.

I've made price adjustments for the Sunday drop. The booth name is "Pen and Brush Comic Art."

Is another Dillon Punisher page dropping on Sunday? I'm looking for an example with Frank in costume, even if it's just a panel.

Go talk to him then!

I just added a few more pieces to my booth. My prices range from $20-$1600. Here's a preview a Madman cover 2 Dark Horse Predator pages A DC Comics Lobo page Early Luke Cage page 2 sketches by Seth A color guide featuring inking by Art Adams

I’ll be done with eBay come 2022.

Dude for reals. I mean if these were covers in the 4-figures (and I know you have some nice ones), then I guess you could justify the 3-figure shipping to make sure they get there safe. Just glad to hear they only charge that much for high end items!

Is this a typo? It has to be a typo, right?

You do it for the love of the hobby and fans for sure

I find it funny that a lot of reps and dealers emulate your sales strategy, but they don't emulate this (budget pieces). Tsk. Tsk.

My thoughts exactly. There is an oversaturation of online events right now. It's impossible to keep up. Not to mention that there seems to be a major auction ending once a month even. Or HA weekly that has seen some pretty good material as of lot. It's no surprise then that CAL can get drowned in all the noise I, for one, am looking forward to it. I think it encourages some collectors to bring out some nice art we wouldn't normally see. I'm hating on eBay more and more and CAL is a place I can trust to sell art without paying fees. I would rather sell on CAL before Facebook or any other forum. I'm also set up for Comic Art Live. I have published interiors, a published cover, sketches and commissions. I have them at prices that won't break the bank. I've also reduced the prices on any of my unsold inventory from last November.

Less buzz means less competition! Are you also doing a Sunday drop?

If you are looking to collect new art you just have to accept it for what it is. Artists are using whatever digital tools are at their disposal to get the job done on deadline. You can’t control if there’s three different processes of the same piece. Choose the one you like best. That said, it bothers me which is why I only focus on vintage art that has pencil and inks on the same board.

That is an awesome cover. I’m not a Vampirella fan either but I would make an exception for that cover. Again, not uncommon for artists to sell pencil prelim pieces separately, especially if they are tight. It may have been that the buyer of the pencils was in your situation; they like the work, but buying the final piece was a bit of a stretch, but the pencils were more affordable and scratches the itch.

Congratulations! It’s a good one!

I don’t find doing the pencils separately that unusual. Or an artist coloring their own cover. I mean you’re right we don’t have a lot of info, this could be Alex Ross he’s talking about who does a tight pencil prelim, then paints the cover. I see this done a lot with painted card art from the 90s. To me the pencils are the prelim even if they are tight—I guess given the info we do have. The inked and colored piece would be worth to me imho.

If the inked and hand-colored (?) piece is the published cover, then that’s the final cover. It’s very likely that the artist considers the pencil piece the prelim. The ink and colored is the more valuable piece. Personally, it’s not a deal breaker knowing the pencils are out there.