Robot Man

Am I the only one disappointed with the offerings this year? Notable omissions, Walking Dead, Superman, Batman, Disney. Not much in the way of classic characters. I grabbed a bunch of varied titles but am not impressed. I've only read a couple but thumbing most just didn't really excite me. My favorites, Sponge Bob. Anybody else get the cover reference to Famous Funnies #1? Wonder Woman looks promising. Bongo is usually good. Image looks awfull but I have to try and read it to be honest. The Overstreet book is just a rehash of every other year and just about all ads for all their non-comic price guides.

The future of comics looks pretty bleak if this is any indication. What has happened to Archie? I haven't bought new comics for over 10 years and really know why. The art all looks an amine and the stories are lousy. If this is what $3.-$4 buys you for a 5 minute read, I'll pass.

I feel for comic book store owners. My LCS seems to only survive by selling action figures and gaming cards. How long will the movies keep our hobby alive and how many movie goers even buy new comics? I did my part by buying supplies (at a big discount).

17 hours ago, kav said:

Pics or it didn't happen!

No pic this time kav. By the time we got home she was cranky and it was nap time. Her favorites this year: DC superhero girls, Sponge Bob, and the Turtles book. She was disappointed there was not a Superman book. I love the way she just digs in. No concern for condition just folds the pages back and runs her finger over the pictures. They probably won't last more than a week or two.

1 hour ago, gino2paulus2 said:

ADORABLE RM!! we must shop at the same store hehe!! The COOL one!!

 

Aren't they just awesome Gino? I've tried to steer her to Marvel but she prefers DC. 

1 hour ago, Readcomix said:

Okay, after much hemming and hawing, I am going with these 5 and the 7-month story that unites them. It starts with seeing the Cap alone in a showcase in an antiques shop with what seems an out of line price on it. The store owner informs me it's a consignment and gives me the dealer's name and number. Knowing nothing about the guy, I call him up and finally after three weeks of phone tag get to inquire about the book, broaching the price gingerly. He says, "Oh, that's just for my reference. You can have it for X." Sold!

I go to the shop a few days later, pick it up, and call him to inform him I had followed through. THAT is when he says, "I have some more if you're interested."

"What else have you got?"

"Let me see here...Sub-Mariner 5, Batman 10, Leading 1,2,4,5; Superman 55..."

I make a arrangements to meet him at a local flea market, but it's a few weeks out because he is a vintage record dealer, often doing shows. He occasionally fills non-show weekends at this flea market. Okay, let's take a look at those books you told me about.

"Oh, I didn't bring them today. But I have these." He pulls out The Torch and the Subby 14, plus a Cap 78, and immediately informs me that the Torch and Cap are on hold for a guy. So I purchase the Subby 14 and ask him to call me if the other guy doesn't come through. And I still want to meet to see the other books. And how did you get them, anyway?

"I was buying this old guy's massive record collection, and as I was leaving with the records, he throws a handful of comics on the box I'm carrying out and says here, take these old things too." So they are all from an original owner, with a brief interim in the possession a disinterested vinyl dealer who simply knows very old comics have some value.

As I'm leaving, he says, "Oh, I put another one in the shop. Go see it. You can have it for X." Okay, please tell the owner and I'll take a look. That was the America's Best #10.

I call again to arrange to see the DC's and Subby 5 that I've yet to see, only to be told he took them to a large show and some guy came through and bought them. All gone. I thought I hit the end of the line. 

But a couple weeks later he calls. The Torch and Cap deal fell through. I make arrangements to meet him and buy the two. Thinking it's all that's left, I am unprepared when he produces an All-Winners #3. But we negotiate a price and a time to meet again. Due to his travel schedule it's a month out, but he swears he will hold it for me. Finally, seven months after it began with a casual walk through an antiques shop, I've acquired every piece of this guy's little find that I could. With a sole exception for a TTA #27, I refused buy another book of any consequence in the period I was going back and forth with this guy, never quite sure when we would get together and a Subby 5 or Batman 10 or something I wasn't expecting would be put in front of me. It was exciting  and nerve-wracking because he was such a flighty, cavalier character who wasn't focused on comics, so I felt like I had to keep dry powder handy on the off-chance he would produce another piece he forgot to mention. That's the basic version of the cat-and-mouse negotiation. Zany, but a good time! 

 

Very cool books and great story. I feel your pain. I once bought a very large collection of Atomic Age books one small box at a time. Took almost a year. Every time I hooked up with the guy there were just awesome books. He was the original owner and was just selling them as he needed some cash. Worth the wait but torture.

46 minutes ago, MrBedrock said:

The last five Church books to go...

 

Although all breath taking, that More Fun just sends me over the top!

1 hour ago, Sqeggs said:

Great books, but I'm a little surprised that Funny Pages 40 is your favorite Centaur. 

I don't know, but I might agree with Rick. One of the best color schemes I've ever seen and great subject matter.

Yeah woogie, it's all about the thrill of the hunt for me. Once you get something it doesn't seem quite as important as the next "find" Ever find anything cool? I look for lots of other things besides just comics so I'm just as happy to find old rock posters, toys, a cool gas sign or any cool "Americana" One of my favorite flea markets is coming up on Sunday. Sometimes it just gets me through the week. I will be there, bright and early ready to dig!

1 hour ago, kav said:

Even if a shop offers 30% of value for SA collection and they dont deal in back issues, then that means a lot of time spent on ebay.  Time they might not have.  It's just not worth it to them.

There is always selling to another dealer for a little bump or turning another dealer to it for a commision. This was a nice collection with lots of keys and he didn't want much for it. Just seems dumb to turn it away...

Congrats! Me, I would go with Batman #66 to read. The Joker "boner" story just cracks me up everytime I read my copy.

This is always a favorite too

2 hours ago, G.A.tor said:

I think my list could almost change daily. 

But I pulled these five today

Excellent choices Rick. The top 3 are just so iconic and tough to find. I'ts just me but the think I would substitute the Whiz with a Suspense #2 and the Tec #31 with a More Fun #52.

Yes, real cool. I have heard that story before. Must be an awsome piece in person. Is it still on display at the library?

My pleasure.

If you like stuff like this (and what red blooded comic collector doesn't), you should pick up a copy of the book "Between the Panels". I have read it many times and just couldn't put it down. One of the best books on comic fandom.

Ever wonder about all those books with the "Bonnetts" stamps on them and wonder why David T Alexander has so many? How about the massive GA deal that Malcolm Willits of Collector's Book store managed to pull off. All the early personalities of comic fandom are in here. Highly recomended.

If you give me a few of your stories, maybe I'll tell you about the "Rex Parker" collection or my "cover price" collection buy of early Marvels. 

My LCS does not deal in back issues even though the owner is a collector. Kind of weird, but they turn down collections flat quite often. One day, while in the shop a guy came in with a box of SA and BA and they showed him the door. I followed him out and he had a whole trunk full of books in his car. I made him a fair offer and he was happy. He had to follow me to my bank for me to get the funds. Why would any shop just flat out say no without even looking? I know people who opened shops to specifically get collections that walk in.

My local stores love the day. There are a lot of "pikers" who just show up and take but there are a lot of people buying all day long as well. Plus the exposure and good will is good for all. I always make a point of spending some money even if it's on supplies or boxes at all the stores I go to. Kids LOVE it and they are the future of this hobby. I always bring a half a dozen kids from my street as well as my grand daughter. They love it.

Thanks guys, mine too. There is still hope...

Now, being a 50 year veteran of flea markets, cons, garage sales and estate sales, I've got a few more cool stories up my sleeve. But if you want to hear any more, you gotta post your stories. Don't be shy or embarrased. Make us drool and celebrate your hard work and good luck.

Come on Bedrock, Mitch and the rest of you "old timers" you know you got secrets, sill 'em! This is what is the best part of being a collector.

A Tale of two flea market Batman #1's. One that got away, and one that didn't... (Part 2 (the good part)

Yesterday, I related my sad story of missing out on one of the best books a collector could hope to own. Not very often do you get a second chance, but this was mine...

Fast forward maybe 10 years later. My wife (an antique dealer) and I were wandering the isles of the Long Beach Flea Market early in the morning. It had already been a steller day for me. I had managed to buy a very early large Aesops Fables cartoon character doll from the late 1920's as well as a small cigar box full of very early political buttons. I was feeling good and glad I got up.

We passed by a 6' long table that was completely covered with MAD paperback books. Wow, I'd never seen so many at one time. I'm a MADman but don't really collect them. I said something to the seller about them. He told me he wasn't a collector but had been a garage sale buyer for years and just like to read. He asked me if I liked MAD magazines and I said yes.

He then produced a box from under the table full of them. Most were not very old but I did manage to pull out a couple in the #20's-30's and a nice #7. Nothing major but fun for a flea market.

I asked him if he had any comics. He said sure he had some "crappy" ones and handed me a box. First one on top was a coverless strip reprint book. I could see more of those large GA ones below it. I found a few more and then a Detective! Getting better. Then, there it was... "The Legend of the Batman and how he came to be" Whoah! My hands were a little shakey as I quickly thumbed the pages. It was coverless, but it was a Bat #1. 

All the while the seller was telling me the stuff was from garage sales and he wanted to dump it all because he was moving out of state. 

A couple more coverless ones and then...a nice fat Shadow comic with a skull cover. Yes, with a cover. The rest all had covers and were decent shape. Another Shadow, a Whiz, a nice Fight with a WWII torture cover. Knees were a little shakey now. Then there it was a nice bright yellow Superman #13 with Supes pounding a Nazi sub. A few more and even a couple of 1950's books. I just don't see stuff like this just laying in a box very often.

Then, the moment of truth. I mixed them up a bit putting a couple of the lessor coverless ones on top and asked the price... He thumbed the stack without really looking. He might have been counting, I don't know because my mind was racing. He looked up and said "How about 5?" $500. I was thinking about it and quietly asked my wife if she could spot me an extra $200. She slipped into my jacket pocket. 

I thought what the heck, "Could you do any better?" I'll never forget his response. "What is $5.00 too much?".  My mouth probably hit the ground I really don't remember much as I fished a ten out of my wallet and handed it to him. He gave me my change and asked if I wanted a bag. I think I mumbled "sure" and got the heck down the isle. My wife still laughs at me about it. I'm always cool but she thought I was going to lose it.

Postscript. Walking down the isle on air, I bumped into a fellow comic fan and shared my loot. I flipped him a few Fawcetts for a later trade. He asked if the guy had any more. You know, I hadn't asked. I left my bag with a dealer friend and we headed back. I was a little nervous thinking maybe somebody tipped him off but went anyway. That was it, no more comics.

My friend collects "girly" and pin up mags so he asked the guy. The guy pointed to a box and said there were some "porno" mags in there. On top were a couple of '60's era Playboys. No big deal but then the fun started. Under those were a nice pile of Titter, Wink, Beauty Parade and other nice late 1940's pinup and girly mags. Bettie Page covers, strippers ect. My buddy said how much for all of them. The guy took a look and said "oh, these are pretty good". "How about $20.?". Out came the money and the bag and we were on our way. 

Postscript 2: We bumped into a local guy that also buys comics that I don't like very much. He had to rub it in. "Did you see the guy with all the MAD pb's? Well don't bother, I cleaned him out" As bad as I wanted to, I didn't say a word...

4 hours ago, n2wdw said:

I don't think you did anything wrong.  It's the seller's responsibility to know the value of what she's selling, not the buyers.

On the other hand, here's what happened to me one time.  This was over 25 years ago.  I was dating a girl long distance so driving to her college.  Along the way I stopped at a comic store.  It was one of those stores that's not well organized, there were piles of comics everywhere, but everything was on sale.  On top of 1 pile was Cerebus #1.  Even back then Cerebus 1 was worth 100s.  I asked the price.  The teenage kid minding the store said he didn't know, but he shrugged and said $5.  The kid was clearly not the owner, and I was sure the owner knew the value of the comic.  I could have walked out of the store with Cerebus #1 for $5, but I knew I couldn't do that so I left the store without the comic.  Since then I've managed to get a Cerebus #1, but for way more than $5.

The difference between my story and yours, was you were dealing directly with the owner, and I wasn't.

You did the right thing, but... It was the owner's responsibility to make sure his inventory was organized and priced accordingly. Maybe even the owner didn't realize it was an expensive book. Is it your responsibility to inform him? You have to do your due dillegence and put in the work and time. If you don't and somebody else does, they deserve to be rewarded for their efforts. I read these boards, I track auctions and pay attention to the market on many different collectibles and antiques. I get up very early in the morning and sacrifice my free time to educate myself. I feel I deserve to be rewarded once in a while for the hard work I put into this. Nuff said...

4 hours ago, Straw-Man said:

my only two c'connect buys.  gotta save rest of war chest for jon.

Such nice books Billy. So hard to find these single digit Fights. Just gotta buy them when you see them.

18 minutes ago, Foxtrot70 said:

Here is an Argentine published EC with classic Jack Davis cover.     Early 1960s.  Art is redrawn and concludes with new mascot narrator   

this book is stunning condition for what i usually find overseas    

Enjoy 

 

Love this. Probably very few if any of these still out there.

First, it wasn't his deal. Only the pile he had his hands on. The other pile was just sitting there and open game. Not that I would have, but offering her more would not only be crappy to him but it would have tipped her off and neither one of us might get any. It was his lucky day. I'm no saint though. I did try and talk him out of it and some might say I took advantage of the seller. I have no guilt about it but a little sadness about my shot at a Bat 1.

And one more for good measure... Both just awsome covers!

Here's a nice two issue run...

On 4/26/2017 at 7:51 PM, Ricksneatstuff said:

I see your Sunnys and raise you the run of Corliss Archer!

It appears he doesn't want to leave Veronica's house yet...