Patriot6

Wow! That was a good read. Thank you very much to the both of you for taking the time to share that. My mind naturally wonders to 'what Archie was in there..' As for the microfiche aspect, I find it very interesting that this was a project undertaken by a group of WWII veterans who were using their war skills after the war like that. I remember using these in libraries to look at old newspapers. I suspect from the above that the process was tedious to create these fiches. How was a microfiche created?

That is amazing!!!!!

Is there somewhere where this story was told that I can read? I've seen it mentioned before.

Sweet!

That PEP is super cool

Yep. This was taken during the Queen's last tour of Canada. This is her personal escort keeping an eye on her at the nude beach.

I am reminded of the Seinfeld episode where George attends his GF's aunt's funeral and is caught by the brother double dipping. The line that follows is: "take a chip, dip it and END IT!" Like the chip, some feel the need to double dip at every occasion. Make your point, let it stand on its own two feet and move on. Those who read it and agree will inevitably do so. Those that don't, won't. Some may reply with their opinion. That is fine. That is discourse. Not every individual on the planet must at all times be converted to one's view of things. There are, and can be, many views on the same subject. Each may have their merit. I studied a lot of classics in my university days and one thing that always stuck with me, and is a common misconception, is that the Romans didn't dislike early Christians because of what they believed in, they hated them because they tried to convert everybody by way of constant preaching. Each person has their own personal liberty to decide for themselves and do not need to be swayed at every turn, although some may think otherwise. Constant preaching and conversionist tactics serve no good to anyone. People don't like to be preached to. They don't like their opinions to be trampled and they certainly can decide for themselves whether a point is valid or not sans the conversion therapy.

I also like this cover. Again, classy. Right down to Veronica's initialed luggage . One thing that's always made me stare at that cover with angst is that I am partial to trains and I've always wondered which R.R. serviced Riverdale. So close to an answer, but all we get is R.R. It is probably some Lodge Industries R.R......

CONGRATS!!!!!

Well this went from an interesting topic to really silly overnight. I was going to say that when I joined, the sales threads were awesome because sellers would make a production of their threads almost. They would sell books, keys included, for under market and people would take books without even looking at them. Since I've returned, I've noticed that for the most part people are posting at eBay trying to dodge fees then moving the books to eBay shortly thereafter. Those charming events that were sales threads back then seem to be far a few between. It would also appear that comics general has become the water cooler and every time I see something interesting in comics general and participate, the thread morphs into some squabble about petty nothing and the thread is ruined. It makes it impossible to have anything productive or meaningful. I've basically stayed to a few threads in the Gold forum that are specific to what I collect because these other areas have become a blackhole....

For myself, since I was away for a few, it was a combination of the fact that I collect multiple things and comics sort of hit a wall for me. I collect a pretty narrow scope and it just became very hard to keep the ball rolling, not to mention expensive in comparison to other collectibles. I also changed jobs to something where I had little access to internet for large swaths of time. I also got a little hurt a few times and took it too personal. Sent out some books from a sales thread that I'd had to the buyers for free and shipped on my dime and didn't even hear a thank you when they were received. Way she goes I suppose. I had years long pms going and getting back to those is the appeal of this place. Learning and sharing and joking is the good stuff, but just like a church or anything that likens to a community, there are takers who prey on that aspect, who never give. That's the bad. How many people got stiffed in the holiday raffle or gift exchange over the years? That was always sad. Sure are a lot of great people here who have always made it right though and that's why this place is awesome! Also, I can rant and rave about Archie and one or two people not only read my nonsense, but actually reply!

Funny, I have been digging through under copies to arm the war chest for some upgrades, at least I say that anyway, and I had this one out displayed on my desk! A real HAHA cover! As for 49 over there. I think that is one of the best Ronnie interpretations to don a cover. Classy, classy, classy! Sorry for all of the !!!, but I got excited there.

Again, are you buying out of interest to collect or re-sell? If out of interest to collect, this is a great way to builld a collection and then decide which issues you want to upgrade. If it is to read through, then you can rinse a repeat the same process you are undertaking. Buy the books, read them and sell them in bulk afterwards. I guess you need to decipher your intentions.

My opinion only.....Someone is willing to unload a bulk quantity of something to you at a 'discount' price. Multiple lots of books to boot. I think that answers your question. Don't get me wrong, there are people out there that collect these books and buy them and some spend a lot of dough on them. Like anything else comic related condition plays a big part. Even more when it comes to something lower value and not exactly rare. If by resell you mean you will set up boxes at a flea market and sell an issues for five bucks a piece and you want to wait for the next fifteen years to sell through setting up a table every weekend, then sure. If you mean buy these, post them ,on eBay and watch you phone light up with sales notifications then no.

That presents....in a.......perky.....fashion for a 3.5! Very nice!

When mum busts in and asks if you're doing your homework, you have to look slightly convincing!

Like almost anything out there, yes. Fixing a non working example is also very easy. It is like any other collectible. There are rare variants and low production models. There are prototypes and failed examples. There are some with good unworn decals and some with worn decals. I suppose the difference is that there are people out there that want to collect them and there are people that want to use them for their intended purpose, there are even people who buy them for display pieces. The prices can sway accordingly. I don't collect them or resell them or anything, but I have saved a number from the scrap heap. I got them running because I enjoy tinkering and have never had an issue finding someone to take them.

Very interesting. I understand how a good looking, supple and long legged Annual #1 could suck a fella in! I am really enjoying reading about your collecting path here. . Did you do a lot of upgrading on books you bought, or did you make sure that you bought a copy you were going to be satisfied with right off of the bat? I love that crazy cover. First appearance of warning pole Archie. Nice colours on yours as well. If you look at 10 beside 11, you can clearly see they were still trying to find themselves. Such a contrast of things happening. The first ten are truly unique. Which issue is your favourite from your 1-200 run?

true, but let's be honest, the white noise of the 80s and 90s is a rewinding VHS tape. That baby will put anyone to sleep.

Funny that you mention that. I've bought and sold many of them in the past few years. They're very desirable as long as they have the remote!

Weirdly, I think in the coming years with explosion of AI that people will have much more free time on their hands. I think a weird genre of collectibles that is set to explode is vintage working appliances, minor appliances, sewing machines etc. I used to renovate houses and once pulled a pair of GE appliances from one kitchen. A range and an oven that is installed into the wall. Both were from 1958. This was in about 2008 or so. I sold both to a guy who collected vintage appliances. He was showing me pictures of a storage unit packed with the stuff. These were pretty minty mind you, but I was happy to take $350 for the pair. He later returned and bought the vintage microwave for $100. I was going to throw them away when someone had said there are people out there looking for those. The reason I think these items will become more and more desirable and expensive is because with more free time, like we saw with the pandy, people will be using these things daily if not every other day. These machines are built with 100 percent replaceable parts. The parts are extremely cheap. They are available en mass. The designs are extremely simple and well designed. They will run until the end of time. Take a sewing machine for example. You can keep a 20s Singer going for all of time. Every part can be replaced and the machine is so simple that anyone can fix it. Now there were a lot of sewing machines out there, this is true. But they have been getting scrapped en mass since the mid 90s and that is when something starts to uptick. I would never have believed it either, but my wife and I bought a house with old appliances in it, ironically a range and wall stove from 1958. They were original to the house. The oven looks like the back of a Cadillac. They are in mint condition from the original owner. We had every intention of tearing them out and selling them to someone like the guy I had mentioned above and going new. We started using them in the interim and I will never ever get rid of them no matter what. All of our friends are constantly complaining about their Samsung stoves and LG ovens and the modern Chinese made GE stuff that breaks down every 30 seconds. Meanwhile, I've replaced one heating coil for a total of thirteen dollars since we've lived here. They look great, all metal and chrome. Everyone asks about them when they come over. Boiling water takes very little time because the coils get so hot instantly. The oven gets to and holds temperature fast and well. I also like to cook with cast iron and this set up suits me well. What I'm getting at is that these things don't break down very much and are cheap to keep going. They are suited to a more 'commercial' use than modern day equivalents by which I mean that someone can use these things everyday where as the modern counterpart will not be able to be used the same way and will fail relatively quickly with heavier use. Will any of these items hit a million dollars? Absolutely not, but there is a nascent, although niche, collectible market for them and this is the bottom! My odd take anyway.

Interesting. Number five is one of my favourite covers! I've had a hard time upgrading this issue as well. As for your pair of eights, I think you've put me onto something here. That replacement eight looks very nice and I'd have no problem with the tape either. Heck your childhood copy would be an upgrade for me as well. I love these crazy early covers where there is something bizarre happening. Very neat covers. That's neatly set up. I have a similar set up with wire racks. I like the colour print out on the front though. Nice touch. I always grapple with the effects of light, but I like to have some out on a rotating basis. They really do make me happy. I ALWAYS have my lowest grade Jughead #1 on my desk for example. Do you think you acquired most of your run from in person purchases where you were able to assert a grade before purchasing, or did you suffer a lot of buying Archies off of the net that did live up to expectations?

I would have been happy to have that #3 too. Looks great! That's an interesting approach. I might adjust my parameters and try to upgrade as I go. It eases the discouragement slightly. I think number four has been the most common that I've seen in that 1-5 range. I also think that number four is the least desirable of the bunch. The possibility of me acquiring a number one are next to nil, but I still think about it . Which issue would you say was the most cumbersome to acquire in your desired grade? I'm also curious to know if you display any of the books or are they box bound? If so, which do you display and how?