MBFan

2 hours ago, BakerFanOne said:

So to try and attribute high prices to a single source seems to stretch plausibility in my humble opinion as it is more a sign of the ever evolving comic book times.

I'm certainly not attributing high prices to a single source. No way. 

In general, many of us who are COLLECTING Baker are in competition and driving up the prices. And it's true that certain Baker books are always going to go for big bucks, like Cinderella Love #25, Giant Comics Editions #12, etc. May the best collector win, regardless of final price. If you have more money or just want to spend more on a particular issue than I do, no problem! (I have a habit of buying expensive electric guitars, too, so sometimes I'm thinking, "Do I really want that comic that bad, or would I rather save for another Les Paul?")

However, in some cases people who are NOT BAKER COLLECTORS are butting into auctions, bidding aggressively to win...and then turning right around and selling for a profit to real Baker collectors who they just outbid on the auctions. 

How it works: All but 2 bidders fall out at around $350. The buying-only-to-resell bidder drives the book to $650, preventing the other bidder from filling the hole in their collection. If the non-collector were not ramping up the bid, the other bidder could have landed the book for a little over $350. 

Next, the auction winner turns right around and takes the book that he didn't love and desire like we do and puts it up for sale for $775, thus adding over $400 to the price of a book that would have sold for much less without the involvement of that one person. 

My daddy told me long ago not to expect a "fair" world, but Baker books cost enough as it is without non-fans getting in the middle and jacking up prices even higher. Seems kind of predatory and unfair. 

AND how is Overstreet supposed to price that issue in the guide? Is it worth $350 (the price most were willing to pay), $650 (the price the non-Baker-collector drove the price to) or $775 (the price the non-Baker-collector decided they want for it)?

It'll be hard for the guide to nail down pricing for Baker books anytime in the near future. A few rabid flush-with-cash bidders have been driving high prices lately, but if you look at bid histories on eBay, most bidders drop out way below the top bidders, often of which there are only 2. Once those few people fill their collections, continued high pricing will depend on more rabid rich bidders entering the fray. Otherwise, things will die down a bit and mid-range bidders will start to win some books. 

And here's something that distorts Baker books pricing to the high side: Certain people are driving bids ridiculously high on eBay...after which they turn around and try to sell their win at an even higher price in other venues.  In this situation, one person is setting a new selling record as they buy...and another when they sell. In the absence of that single person, certain Baker books wouldn't be selling for such astronomical prices. 

39 minutes ago, jimjum12 said:

ACTION COMICS 227....................................7.0............................OW......................................$ 150  SOLD MBFan

 via PM.

2 minutes ago, jimjum12 said:

ADVENTURE COMICS 227...................................7.0+...................................OW/W..............................$ 120 ........Sweet copy of an uncommon book.

1 hour ago, tricolorbrian said:

Time for a blast from the past.  These are Bakers I bought from Joe Naaca in the 90s...with date and grade and PRICE...

Pict Romance 6 VG/VG+  $30  2/99

Pict Romance7 VG-          $25  3/99

Wartime romances6 F     $35  1/96

Wartime romances12 VG+ $15 1/96

Going Steady14 F+            $50 2/99

Diary Secrets30 F               $25 2/99

Teen-age Romances39 G/VG $25 4/99

Is it any wonder I have a hard time with today's prices?  Oh...the good old days...And this list is just from one dealer...I haven't listed all the others...

I'm a fool for stepping away from active collecting for a few decades. 

1 hour ago, Yorick said:

A few weeks ago?  How did I miss this?!!

With the intense bidding competition for Baker on eBay and elsewhere, I have sought out other sources. Whenever I take a road trip for business or pleasure, I map out every comic shop near the Interstate and stop to see what they have. 99% of the time I just get a blank stare when I ask about Matt Baker books...but every now and then, fortune smiles. 

As late as I arrived at the Baker collecting game, I thought I might never track down a copy of this issue...but just a few weeks ago I lucked out!

1 minute ago, tricolorbrian said:

that's not listed in Overstreet...

Actually it IS...Junior Medics of America on Page 764 of OS46.

I'm late to the game, but here's one:

The Red Lobster staff

Has ways of getting even

When people don't tip

Just now, ChiSoxFan said:

Adventure Comics #393 -- VF- -- 7.5 -- $16

Tongie Farm Collection.  Comes with certificate -- originally graded as a VF/8.0, but I think it grades a little lower.

I'm done for the night here in the Central time zone. If you decide to list Captain Marvel Adventures 47 and/or 80, please let me know. 

5 minutes ago, SOLAR BOY said:

I have some incredible captain marvel adventures.  If there is enough interest I can take a look at what i have and post some.....any ones you really need?

I'm on the hunt for 2, 10, 45, 47 & 80

1 hour ago, SOLAR BOY said:

World's Finest #84--This is a 2.5/3.0 copy here but its a very tough book to find.  Asking $50

 at 35% off.

2 hours ago, SOLAR BOY said:

Adventure Comics #381---This has a popped bottom staple.  Other than that sharp.  I say 6.0.  Asking $15

 at 35% off.

2 hours ago, SOLAR BOY said:

Superman #176--Every cover in the first 200 are just so damn cool.  This is a solid 8.0 or so.  Asking $50

 at 30% off

2 minutes ago, JohnnyR said:

42

Hey, don't steal my number!

42

here

Just now, SOLAR BOY said:

Who is in here watching.....i need 3 responses and we will finish tonight with the last 3 comics......and tomorrow will be better than tonight

I'm here!

2 minutes ago, Ricksneatstuff said:

I didn't catch that

 I was high bidder then let it go. 

Well, I hope whoever got it realizes what they have. For Baker's name to be on the piece in his handwriting, he obviously had something to do with the art. 

A piece of what is possibly Matt Baker art just sold on CLink. It was headlined as GHOST COMICS #4 PAGE 1 TITLE SPLASH, and the description said it was, "First published in Jumbo Comics #81 in 1945. Then reworked and republished for Ghost Comics #4 in 1952." The attribution is to Alex Blum, but it looks like Matt Baker's art from that time period and his last name is WRITTEN IN HIS HANDWRITING at the top right of the page!  If you don't believe it, compare the way "Baker" is written on the page with the way Matt signed his name on all 3 issues of Canteen Kate. 

On 6/3/2017 at 5:48 AM, gojira said:

Black Magic 27 VG/FN $150

2nd published Ditko art.

 

at 25% off!

5 hours ago, F For Fake said:

Got a package from ebay yesterday, comic in a bag and board, stuck into a yellow padded envelope with no other protection. It's been a couple of years since that happened, didn't realize anyone was still rolling that way. Shouldn't have been surprised. Book was trashed. Seller gave a refund without any issue, seems like they are new. I tried to give them some tips about shipping comics, not that I think they'll listen, but you never know!

I always check to see how many comic books a seller has sold. If they've sold none or just a few (or if their feedback doesn't indicate great packing), as soon as I win the auction, I contact them via the eBay system with a polite suggestion as to how they can pack comics for maximum protection. So far, sellers have always followed my suggestion and recently one seller left me glowing feedback specifically pointing out my packing help. 

Thanks for the opportunity to buy some pampered old books at reasonable prices!

23 minutes ago, SOLAR BOY said:

Showcase #56--Im in love with this cover but i promised myself to only keep 10 of the comics from the whole collection.  I need to keep buying and selling to you suckers....i mean you amazing comic buyers lol.  This green is like candy apple and just stunning.  Sharp 7.5+ or better copy.  A 7.5 on ebay went for $100 so lets say ill take $65 for this gem.

 at 40% off. Thank you!