marvelmaniac

I have no issue with subscription creases, just like Date Stamps, Subscription Creases are part of the History of the Book.

A lot of eBay sellers will not ship to a PO Box.

Glad to hear you did receive your package. I have had this problem for 25 years ever since the Borough decided USPS had to start using the actual street address instead of the name of the Apt. complex. I actually have the phone number for the local USPS Postmaster/Supervisor on speed dial. There are three Apt. complexes in a row with similar street addresses and apt numbers. (I am at 1900 L____ Rd and the next complex is 1990 L____ Rd., my apt # begins with an I (eye) which looks like a 1 (one) and the complex next store has apt numbers beginning with a 1 (one) Over the years besides packages from online sellers I have had Utility Bills, Replacement Checks, Bank Statements etc all lost or delivered to the wrong address, some I received two month's after the fact. Online bill pay has eliminated the majority of the lost mail issue but the lost package issue remains, it has always been a 50/50 proposition weather I would get the package or not. Because of this I no longer have anything mailed to my address, everything ordered online now gets shipped to my Son's house or the store (Walmart) and that eliminated the lost package issue. Funny though how the "Junk" mail never gets lost.

Honestly, I love that smell when I walk into a comic shop, "Ahhhh, the sweet smell of degrading paper", however... From what I have learned and been told over the last 40 years is you cannot completely stop the degradation of the paper, it basically starts as soon as the book is printed, the key is to store the book properly to sloooooooow down the degradation of the paper. The more the book is exposed to changes in environment , the more the paper expands and contracts, the faster it destroys itself. The inks and paper itself also play a role in how quickly the paper degrades, the newer printing processes (inks and paper) are less detrimental to the paper than the older paper and inks that were used. Mylites (inert material, acid free), Acid Free Boards, Kept Away from Light, Kept in a Controlled Environment (Temp and Humidity), etc . The more the book is exposed to changes or acids, the more the paper expands and contracts the faster it destroys itself. Personally, when I add anything to my collection I allow the book(s) to sit out in the open (in a dark room) for a couple of days so the paper will adjust to the new environment before it is stored/sealed away in a Mylite. As far as actually getting rid of the smell without harming the book/paper try letting the book sit is a closed container with an absorbent like Baking Soda. You may have to open the book to allow each page to be exposed to the absorbent.

I found this to be very helpful... https://www.gemstonepub.com/en/the-overstreet-comic-book-grading-guide-3rd-edition

The Comic Indicia will specify weather this is a 1st or 2nd printing. https://www.comicconnect.com/load_page.php?page=faqtitle

Distributor Stripes - Color brushed or sprayed on the edges of comic book stacks by the distributor/wholesaler to code them for expedient exchange at the sales racks. Typical colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Distributor Stripes are not a defect.

Since nobody has chimed in I will supply some info. NOTE: This is for "Raw Books". I cannot "speculate" about price as related to the upcoming movie since I am not into either, however... According to 2015/2016 Overstreet Price Guide X-Men 101 was valued at $12 (GD 2.0) $24.00 (VG 4.0) $36.00 (FN 6.0) while current completed eBay auction prices are bringing $75 - $80 for GD 2.0 - GD/VG 3.0. The higher grade books seem to be selling for closer to guide than the lower grade books. Overstreet lists VF/NM 9.0 @ $182.00 and completed eBay auctions are showing selling prices of $200.00 - $225.00 which is really close to guide. Also, since you stated you are just starting your X-Men collection... Although the "first" appearance of Phoenix is in X-Men 101 the Origin of Phoenix starts in X-Men 100 and concludes in X-Men 101. Hope some of this helps.

I am not planning on getting rid of my collection as long as I am alive and in full command of my mental facilities. I already divided my collection between my Son and Daughter and it is stated in my will who gets what. I also left detailed instructions on handling/grading/storage/selling and links to forums and sites with info so they are armed with knowledge.

I do not remember exactly when I got it although the more I think about it more little details come back. I have been in my apartment for 32 years and remembering where we were in my apartment when it was given to me at Christmas and the decor at the time it was probably around 1989/1990

Here is a pic of the back of the box to go along with the pic posted above.

I have no real advice other than... I have OCD and I can tell you that this would never happen or I would not be able to sleep at night or focus on anything else during the day. Unfortunately OCD is Genetic/Environmental and not contagious but if you have a friend with OCD and offer a deal/payment this may get fixed in a hurry. Do you watch Big Bang Theory? Remember when Sheldon organized Howard's closet???

I own this, it was given to me for Christmas 15 - 20 (longer???) years ago and the gift giver was extremely disappointed when I refused to open it and play with it stating "It is a Collectible". It is still in its factory plastic wrapping and will not be opened while I am still the owner.

You need to add a... Sad Sack Armed Forces Complimentary #12 to this list, it appears it never existed. I have been looking for this book exclusively for four years now and cannot even find a pic. To further this point here is a link to a site that shows all of the covers for Sad Sack Complimentary comics from #1 thru #40 but #12 is skipped, the top of the page even states "39 issues in this volume" but the series went to issue #40. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/sad-sack-comics/4050-33904/

I have not bought any new books or actually looked at any of my books since I regraded/cataloged/photographed all 3600 two years ago. I have absolutely no desire to get rid of them, brings me joy just knowing they are there.

There were 6 Tom Terrific issues. After completing my Marvel Super Hero runs I wanted books that featured cartoon characters I enjoyed as a kid. I watched Tom Terrific religiously on the Captain Kangaroo Show in the early 60's.

Just wanted to show a few that are different and probably will not or would not have been shown otherwise.

Got a bunch of "young uns" posting here. The book's that got me interested in Marvel Comics were F.F. 25 and F.F. 26... (Do not remember where I first saw them) But, the first three that I remember buying myself with my weekly allowance at the local pharmacy, super market or 7-11 would be... With honorable mention to... JIM 117, TOS 61, TTA 61, X-Men 8

I do not think they are under rated at all. I have complete runs of TOS and TTA, I need to fill runs of JIM (1-33) and ST (1-42) and even the higher numbered books I need/want are selling for $60.00 + for low grade readers which at this point in my life is out of my price range.

Same with me, I agree 100%!!! You do not stop living and doing what you enjoy because you are getting older and you may/will one day die. Now if (God Forbid) I was diagnosed with a terminal illness then I would get with my family and help them liquidate my belongings while I was still here and able to help. Other than that NOBODY knows when their time is up. All done three years ago!!! Sometimes OCD is a Good Thing. I have left written detailed instructions/suggestions as far as the handling/grading/selling of my comic books along with where all reference material is located on my computer and in my apartment. I graded and recorded the grades of all books (3600) with grader notes and all books were photographed and both the graded list and photograph's have been saved to my computer and two separate flashdrives. I check eBay completed purchases every 4 month's. I keep records of eBay completed purchases for the "key" books in my collection that are in the same grade as mine so there is a written record of what these books are currently selling for and the average price of what they have been selling for, I have been doing this for three years. Who gets what is laid out in my will and besides myself three others have a sealed copy.

To the OP... I only own one copy of each book except for one exception. Books that were Wizard World Exclusives that "we" were given at Wizard World Philly for purchasing advanced tickets so we have multiple copies of two books. So, IMO, you keep what you need to complete runs of the series you are collecting or a book/story you really enjoy reading over and over and do not want to damage a higher grade copy, other than that multiple copies are not needed.

Same with me, I agree 100%!!! You do not stop living and doing what you enjoy because you are getting older and you may/will one day die. Now if (God Forbid) I was diagnosed with a terminal illness then I would get with my family and help them liquidate my belongings while I was still here and able to help. Other than that NOBODY knows when their time is up. All done three years ago!!! Sometimes OCD is a Good Thing. I have left written detailed instructions/suggestions as far as the handling/grading/selling of my comic books along with where all reference material is located on my computer and in my apartment. I graded and recorded the grades of all books (3600) with grader notes and all books were photographed and both the graded list and photograph's have been saved to my computer and two separate flashdrives. I check eBay completed purchases every 4 month's. I keep records of eBay completed purchases for the "key" books in my collection that are in the same grade as mine so there is a written record of what these books are currently selling for and the average price of what they have been selling for, I have been doing this for three years. Who gets what is laid out in my will and besides myself three others have a sealed copy.

Here is the grading standard regarding tape... 4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): "Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies. "

I did the research for you on this one. Just remember that a collectible is only worth what a collector is willing to pay for it so the price will vary depending on want and need. According to the 2016 Overstreet Price Guide ASM 51 is valued at $63.00 in FN 6.0 and $147.00 in VF 8.0 so approx. $105.00 in FN/VF 7.0. According to eBay Completed listings over the last 4 month's ASM 51 in Grades from FN 6.0/FN/VF 7.0 sold for... (All Auctions with over 5 bids) December 7 FN/VF 7.0 $50.00 November 26 FN/VF 7.0 $40.00 November 26 FN/VF 7.0 $67.00 November 12 FN/VF 7.0 $45.22 November 2 FN 6.0 $50.00 October 10 FN+ 6.5 $42.01 October 3 FN/VF 7.0 $62.10 September 25 FN/VF 7.0 $38.00 The Average selling price over the last few month's is $49.25 . Overstreet in this case is on the high side as to the value of this book and what is actually selling for. Again, if I really wanted/needed a certain book to complete a run or storyline and was having a hard time finding it then I would pay over FMV to get it. My advice/opinion... Learn from this and enjoy the hobby of comic book collecting.

I have an F.F. #8 with a Kirby autograph in the same spot. I have owned this book since the 80's so my guess is that the signature is authentic,can I prove it, No. IMO grade the book and assume value as if the signature was not present. (By your pics it appears to be a VG/FN 5.0 at best to me)