Greenlama

Still counting. I haven't had a comprehensive list since 1979. I have an estimated 20,000 books left as I've sold over 30,000 books over the years. I began collecting in 1963 but began reading comics in 1960. I inherited some of my earliest comics at that time (EC's, Avengers #1 Duck comics and Jungle comics.) I'm gradually entering them onto Comic Base. I have basically been bagging and boarding, evaluating grades and prices. Currently on a high grade run of Iron Man some of which I may have slabbed such as #55. Overall collection dates from 1941 to present. Gone are the days of buying almost every title from Westfield in the early 1980's. Some comics I regret selling but preferred original art over comics; although I culled almost 100 pieces last year. Several hundred comic books are signed in person: Williamson, Krenkel, Kirby. Russell, Ordway, Perez, Byrne, Adkins, Steranko, Infantino and Schultz come to mind. I will slowly have some key books slabbed this year. Luckily I have space to store them.

As a follow up to my original post. I've catalogued 5300 books so far at $62,000 with at least another 25 long boxes to go. This does not include a few hundred pieces of original art.

Those Thorne Covers bring back a lot of memories. Frank lived in New Jersey when he came as a guest of honor in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He wore his Wizard costume and was a great guest, a fan and pro favorite. I had him sign those Red Sonja's and bought a large cover from one of his Atlas books (not the Marvel brand). Very personable guy. Also liked his Ghita work in the Warren series. He gave me a Ghita sketch as a gift. I'll have to dig it out.

I have more comics then I thought! Although I've sold well over one-half my collection over the years I still have at least 30 long boxes left. I just found a box of autographed comics (Kirby, Williamson, Krenkel, Thorne, Moench, Layton, Golden, Adkins, Vigil and Byrne so far; as well as my Hulk collection from the Silver Age on. I just finished reviewing my Silver Age Sub-Mariner set. I may need three issues to complete. It's a blast to look at these books I have not looked at in over twenty years. I'm reboarding, rebagging and labeling the books for my private collection, mulling over future sales, books to be submitted to CGC and memories of meeting these creators since 1982. What a great hobby/avocation. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

I've always bought what appeals to me without a thought to its resale value. I like the process of art and have "doodles" from Mike Kaluta to more finished pieces, roughs by Kitson of Azrael to published and unpublished covers of Conan, Hulk and twice up art from Thunder Agents (Wood, Adkins, Crandall) and three pen and ink Frazettas done as a joke on horses for a comic artist from the Creepy/Eerie days. Art that I thought was fairly average I paid $10 for and sold for $750 because of historical content (intro to the Champions in SVTU) for example. If you can afford paintings add those to your collection. Its nice to compare an artists early work/influence to current work. I've sold pieces I wish I had back (a Corben prelim painting of Lone Wolf & Cub) and a classic Human Torch vs Submariner page I bought years ago from the Steranko catalog. I agree buy what you like and enjoy the piece. You can always make money on the art if you're not emotionally attached to it. Me, I will not sell most artwork.

Very Nice Torchy cover. I have to find a sketch Bill Ward did for me years ago of her.

It comes down to what someone is willing to pay for it. That's a prime reason I began collecting original art. One of a kind, original, signed, some commissioned and some gifts; rather than mass produced items. I got into collecting comics and amassed nine by 1963 and over 60,000 by the mid-1980's. I probably have less than 10,000 now. I collect because I like the medium and most of the creators. I currently only collect Silver and Golden age books, unless something strikes my fancy.

I had over 60,000 comics by the mid-1980's and have sold several thousand over the years at shows, CBG and Ebay. I kept my key books and long runs of Marvel and DC. I'm slowly entering them into Comic Base. I haven't done a full inventory since 1979. Currently I've catalogued over 3500 and just pulled another 1200 books to enter with at least another 2500-3000 books (low estimate) to follow. It's a blast to see long boxes of comics I haven't looked at since the early 1980's. Just found a nice run of Silver Age Sub-Mariner in higher grade (VF-NM) (almost complete). Just finished a pile of ACG comics in lower grade (a guilty pleasure) Unknown Worlds, Adventures into the Unknown, etc.

Silver Age versus Modern comics. Which to submit first? A real approach-approach decision. I remember meeting some of the CGC staff who attended a con in Kutztown Pa years ago. At that time I was reluctant to have comics encapsulated. I maintained a private collection not for sale at the time. Now I'm considering the long term investment and will begin submitting key books from the 40's through the present for grading. I'm curious how close we match as I consider myself a tough grader. I'll post comics as they are graded for display only. I'll also upload some images of some of my private art collection including an unpublished Doc Savage painting (with Steve Holland posing), a Mark Schultz detailed drawing and a beautiful Vampirella pastel piece by my late friend, Dan Adkins To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.

Who would think a disposable pastime like a comic book would turn into an avocation and remain a passion over half a century. I acquired my first comic collection circa 1963 but began reading comics in 1960. The books included some EC's, Barks' duck comics and Avengers #1. Not bad for a five year old. I began buying comics that year and amassed 60,000 by 1994. I traded the Avengers #1 for the first six issues of Spider-man, which I still have and reacquired the Avengers for $3. I began attending comic conventions in 1976 and would set up tables from 1984 until 2000. This allowed me to meet many, many artists and writers, some of whom I maintained friendships for several decades. I then began to collect original art including covers, paintings and pages; as well as comic scripts from friends of mine who letterers prior to computer generated work. To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.