grapeape

I plan on being more aggressive in 2020. I lost out on 2 Auction pieces I really wanted coming up the under bidder on both. Keeping an eye out for a few things I set in motion in 2019 and see if I can close a few deals: Looking for 2 specific Sal Buscema pieces but in negotiations so can’t say what. Looking for a 1977 ASM Romita strip Time to add more Kirby and John Buscema Want to go to more conventions 2020 I truly wish all of you good luck finding what you’re looking for. 🍇 ape 🦍

They’ll never find me: my CAF account is dormant. H8 H8 H8

Hey Ankur J, what if Bill Cox had the power to put these dormant galleries up for auction? We all get 5 minutes to take a quick peek. Can I get $1000 ? $1,000 ? Going once...,,, YEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP !!!!!!

I know one in particular. We used to speak all the time. Tremendous gallery. Suddenly nothing. Years....past a decade. No response. No alternative contact. The mind wanders. There are items we discussed priced in 2003 values. They sit there taunting me. My guess he had life changes that made playing on CAF obsolete. Or God forbid did death make a house call?

One day I’ll meet my buddy Zhamlau, if he doesn’t look exactly like Ali G I’m going to be disappointed. May Sal be with you

Give em hell Terry! Ditko was, is and will always be the GOAT! Vodou posted a link for Ditko is Amazing for $58. Those in doubt should order one today. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. I have to ask buddy. Did you even put a Christmas tree up this year? Or did you just hang your ASM splash page In the living room with a string of lights around it? D I T K O

Rick is simply trying to determine a reasonable price to pay for this page. Grape ape says $6500. Why? Great page. Artistically. Eric (ESeff) $8-$9 K not completely off. For me the largest panel, the first top left your “money” panel that should justify $11 K....has the main man with his back to the observer. Artistic crime? Absurd. No way...the flow of the story. Vess knows what’s what. Does it hurt when you’re trying to grail tax me at $11 k? Hell yeah. That’s the panel that should make me hand over the money without arguing. I want the main character burning my soul with a large full panel face forward. Vess didn’t draw it that way. Artistically? Beautiful Top dollar? Not from me Also—premium tax always goes to the book title folks most associate the character-artist with. That’s the nostalgia intangible unrelated to the actual art itself. Wether that’s fair or not you must consider that when you spend your money. Unless money is no object. Also this is not a shot at the rep (we like him) or the consignor(thanks for making the page available) Rick gets that you can ask any price you want. That you can pay any price you want. Rick if I’m taking your position on this for granted chime in. Its just about trying to make sense of this crazy art world. One thing to consider. If this page is a grail for anybody on here keep quiet and go for it. The luck I’ve had 9 out of 10 times when you see an opportunity and let it pass, it will cost you at least double. Or good grief, if it falls into the hands of Los Hermanos de Fair Market Value multiplied by X 3 Inquire squared.

Vodou the print is 100% less orange then the original, and for a fraction of the price. I’m getting two.

I do think they are asking too much. I think it’s a very pretty page. It would have to have a nostalgic component of epic proportions to pull that kind of money from me. It’s not there. If you can trade favorably maybe, to get the cash ask way down. That’s something I forgot to mention. Many crazy prices are based on assumptions. 1) That those interested will try to negotiate down 2) Will try to involve trade 3) I think at $6500 Max is where I could be simply as a collector of shiny things.

Sounds like I’m bitter but I’m not. If you own it to you can value it for whatever you want. Sometimes sharing what a piece means to you will move the owner to release it and sometimes at a price both sides can be happy with. Or greed rears it’s ugly head and....

Someone made the mistake of letting the owner know it’s a piece they’ve waited their whole life for. Their dad, mom, auntie....now passed away bought them that comic when they were in grade school... or they tried to bid and the computer froze....and so on. The owner now seller has responded with “empathy” and thus the tough luck take it or leave it ransom. Merry Christmas

Do you think I could have John Romita pencil a half Spidey half Pete Alonzo face and have Sal Buscema ink it?

Or if Sal Buscema had drawn the first appearance of MJ’s face really small, as Peter looks stunned and Gwen cries like Tammy Faye Baker. ARTSOC legions point out how the exceptionally adequate Sal missed the opportunity to get a close up of Peter’s future wife. H8 H8 H8 H8 H8 H8 H8 H8 H8

Or if Eric Stanton had drawn her face ...

The Mary Jane Hand written add on paste up courtesy of Coollines.

Ha ha depends on how I play this! Already have foot in mouth.

Gerry Alanguilan sadly passed away today. If you don’t know him I’m going to let you do a little digging on your own. The man—the artist is worth it. ”Oh my God this pain” Heartbreaking to read those words. January 20,1968–December 20, 2019 pics belong to Gerry from his CAF gallery

I read aloud the “women are shrill dogs” comment and Mrs. Grapeape and Sister in law overhear. Sigh. Thanks for the education Vodou. With friends like you.....

Those beautiful women influences track with what we know. Inspiration certainly.ES # 1 with tangible Spider-Man credit? Nah That goes to far. A stretch to call this related but ARTSOC now informs that the model for loser dudes was none other than Mr. Exceptionally Adequate himself.....Sal Buscema.

Perlin > Sal = 😢

This ones clever but not a chance at # 1. if Eric did contribute and refused to take credit it would be a move beyond ego, nearly an impossible energy for an artist to separate from. Ditko said no contribution. I do think the energy in the room must have been electric. In that way only (no small thing) these men likely were mutually inspired by creativity and competition. Major props to Vodou for listing ES. The guy makes me think ha ha!!!

H8 H8 H8 H8 H8 !!!!!!!

Top 4 ?

Excellent One thing I do no matter how absurd a dollar amount is thrown at me is not to attack the owner of the piece I want for “extorting” me. I always remember I’m the one approaching the NFS. I have to be flexible, respectful and patient. At the end of this the prize.....I hope to obtain. Its much more effective to say something like, I understand why you’d value your art so highly. I want it. I’m just not “able” to pay that right now. Something like that keeps the lines of communication open. It is very possible that if finances or personal reasons change for that owner 1) they may come back to you with a more reasonable amount at a later time.2) the next time you approach them with a fair counteroffer. I get turned down a lot. However you lose nothing and when you finally make a deal it puts you on top of the world.

Oh that’s a nice one!!!!