Rick2you2

"Getting realistic...."--you never know.

That's a cool line.

I generally don't like to share my preferences because I am afraid someone will try and bump the prices on me (not a good idea, by the way, if someone really wants to make a sale).

One of the interesting things I have noticed about critiques involving OA, in general, is that there really isn't any evaluation on technical grounds--we "go with our gut." For example, how is the composition of the elements of a piece? Is it centered? Is it original? Do objects blend well? Are the figures anatomically correct, if that is the artist's style, or stylistically exaggerated in order to make a particular point? Things like that, besides raw emotional impact. The comment I quoted is the reason I bring this up. Is it fair to compare the artistic work in ASM #100 with another piece if price is driven by nostalgia? Or, what about the significance of it being ASM #100? "Going with your gut" is critical to any piece, but maybe if there were generally agreed things we look at, it might be better at sorting out the good stuff from the great stuff.

Quantitative easing? I do believe I detect another WSJ reader (or at least Barrons).

This subject has come up before, some of which by me. IMO, if you are looking to buy stuff as a long term investment with a 20 year horizon, OA is a lousy idea. Collectibles, in general, have values which rise and fall with generations. So, what used to be booming hobbies in toy trains and porcelain dolls is sinking or dead. We also had a boom/bust in Beanie Babies (and artificial collectible). If the average collector is in his (and from what I can tell, this is mostly a male hobby) mid-40's to mid-50's, I think there is still at least 10 good years left for very good material. Other stuff will generally go up or be static, with some drops at the lower end. My suggestion is you buy what you like, but only from "free cash" and not investment funds.

Picked up this from Frank:

I've made choices about where I have spent my money, but it's not in my nature to second-guess a thought out decision. Although, it would have been nice to have more money on several occasions.

Easy. A Neal Adams cover of the Phantom Stranger for $200. It was in the early 1980's, and the dealer had 2. I bought 1, but thought having 2 was a waste of money.

Sorry I can't help, but you can add me to that list of Concrete lovers.

Just got a note that he reached my order. Progress.

Most of my pages fit nicely in the 11 x 17 size, but when when some of have been too snug, I put them in an 18 x 24. The problem I have with the bigger size is that they don't sit neatly when I open up the portfolio like they do with the 11 x 17. So, you may want to buy two. By the way, if you get into this hobby, I guarantee you that you will fill both books--and then some.

I wonder if the poll accurately reflects the pool of OA collectors' ages. People in the 41-50 group are often busy raising families and saving/paying for college. This seems like a tough hobby to afford or to remain active, when busy with those other things. And how many people in that age group can afford dropping 6 figures for some artwork? I would expect the actual ages to poll higher.

Well, yes, but we didn't know that bit at the time I posted this comment.

I think you need a lot more weight and a lot more waiting time. I flattened an old Captain Marvel mini-comic, but it took over 4 months and it still isn't perfectly flat. I haven't tried it, but I don't think steam would be a good idea.

I use Itoyas, too. Lately, however, I have taken the habit of removing some of my OA from my portfolios and placing it in what I assume are the hard mylar envelopes which are sold at shows. Then, I place them behind my home desk for viewing. When I get tired of one, I rotate it out. They do not have backers, by the way. Presumably, this is safe storage, but if not, I would like to know.

Notice the note on the bottom to Dan Spiegle? Dave represented Dan, so if you want any Spiegle art, contact him. I bought several pieces.

About 4 years at the beginning of the 1980's. Made the mistake of getting married to a financial Hoover vacuum, and was retired by necessity. Eventually, I got rid of the appliance and picked up again about 6 years ago. Boy, have things changed.

I think you missed part of what I wrote: "If you like it and feel like buying it, and can afford it,... I have passed up at least 3 things I would have bought over the past few months but for my purchases (or intended purchases) of a few other things.

You are applying rational thinking, which is good for classic economics and accountants. But people don’t really act like that. They act, in part, on impulse. I have a few pieces I bought out of fear I would not find their equal again—and then I did. I also bought a page of mediocre art solely because it had my daughter’s first name in it. And then, there is depth of knowledge. You also have enormous depth of knowledge here which other bidders may not. Permit me to suggest that you will drive yourself needlessly crazy if you try to divine an answer. If you like it and feel like buying it, and can afford it, “dam’n the torpedoes and full speed ahead.”

If someone really wanted it, then several hundred dollars won't make a difference if they have the money. Say the gap is $750 between FMV and actual sales price (I know it isn't; this is for easy arithmetic). If a person expects not to sell it, they are 50 years old, and expects to live to 75, then the overpaid amount is only $30/year. Most people expect to live "forever", not just to a mere 75, and will assume the value will go up, too. That reduces the effect of "overpayment". And while they won't make these sorts of actual calculations, it means they will figure their actual overpayment won't be very much at all. In this sense, they are right. Of course it also means that when this market collapses, because the old collectors are dying off, it will collapse pretty quickly as that additional, expected 25 years of life shrinks to less than 5.

There is no "number", but what will happen is likely to catch you by surprise. First, look for prices to go "stale", generally on the least interesting pieces first. They will sit in dealer inventories, and/or may occasonally go below similar pieces at auction. I think we may be there now. Good pieces, however, will continue to rise, and top pieces will go up a lot because so little of it is out there for sale. But, softening doesn't mean you will see a wholesale drop. As "thethedew" pointed out, OA is often bought for nostalgia reasons. That stuff won't get sold unless someone really needs the money; wants to essentially get out the hobby, or the OA is being sold by the heirs. A real collapse may not be for another 20 years. It will happen, but not soon.

I think there is something anatomically wrong with Batman's left arm in panel 1. The arm muscles shouldn't line up that way, with no hint of an elbow. But the rest of it is nice.

I'd buy a number of things from Coollines. Since it's fake money, I can freely waste it.

Isn't that just human nature? Taken from a different direction, do you have little keepsakes from people you care about? What makes them so valuable isn't their intrinsic worth but their value as a momento. I value a fair number of my OA pieces as experience reminders, apart from the art, like a Phantom Stranger sketch by Byrne and Rubinstein which reminds me of the conversation I had with Byrne about comics and the industry (after over 35 years, no less). I don't have any OA hate experiences, but I have some keepsakes from bad experiences. I keep them around to remind me of what next to avoid. Everything has a silver lining if you look for it.