RockMyAmadeus

Post me a scan, boyo, and I'll call it "4".

I would love to have a complete set. I've offered my black #2s for the other 5 I don't have (Yellow #2, #3, Black #1, Red #2, Blue #3) for a while, but no takers. Even when I stumbled on the blacks...as excited as I was, I still didn't really know their true demand. I bought a Yellow #1 for $50, but that was in 2008. I think in 2002, I was still thinking that these were "$5 books."

Maybe if you just changed it to "slabbed yes/no" it would be more clear.

Yeah, that would have been far, far more than I was willing to pay for these. I do remember that auction. I truly did not understand how rare they were then...almost 8 years ago, now. From my perspective, I had paid, or would soon pay, $1 each for TEN blacks, plus 35 #1 reds and about 15 #1 blues, so $300 at that time was a price...from THAT perspective, of course. Now, it turns out, it was a steal of a deal. Congrats! I do a LOT of research using old feedback. My only regret is that I didn't use it to record what I bought, and how much I paid in the reply itself. Argh! Thank the Lord for Paypal records. I know and I used to co-own a LCS, so you think I would know better. They've been in a safe for so long though, it would always slip my mind to upgrade the bags. I am actually thinking about having them CGC graded at SDCC this year- does anyone know how the on-site grading works? Do you get it back the same weekend or do they ship it back to you and you just save the cost of shipping it to them (and eliminate the risk of the comics being damaged en route)? My husband is going to be there with our friend Doug Paskiewicz, so I'm thinking about having him at least take the black issues (I will be home with a fairly new baby and our 3 year old son.) SDCC didn't have onsite grading last year, and they may not this year. At cons that do, if you drop it off by a set time (usually Sunday morning), onsite grading is same weekend. Best bet would be to drop it off Friday AM. Good luck! Let us know your results!

And for once...actually true!

Hey that's my book! I'm new to this forum, but I'm so excited I found it. I had no idea there was still such an interest in these ashcans- I know I still liked having them, but haven't really had anyone to enjoy them with (my husband isn't much of a collector.) I have a full set of the Maxx ashcans (quick pic shown above) and I bought them in 2002 off of eBay. I still remember bidding on the auction at my old job- definitely not something I needed to be doing on company time, but I could not pass this deal up. It was a Maxx collector's set including the rare Audio Tape for Issues 1-3 w/ info sheet, a full run of The Maxx (which I already had of course! ), Gold Foil Maxx 1/2 issue, etc. The ashcans were definitely the prize of the bunch and I can't believe that no one outbid me. Here's my specs: #1- 389/4000, 344/1500, 365/500, and 13/50 #2- 249/800, 246/500, 27/150, and 8/50 #3- 246/500, 41/350, 17/100 and 7/50 I also have the famous #5 foil card featuring Mr Gone from the Maxx trading card set. I didn't even believe that card existed till I saw it pop up on eBay a few years ago. I have that set framed- I hotglued them to the frame backing.... just kidding! I did have them framed though in their proper positions- it's a neat picture when it's all finished. I know you! You've posted about this before somewhere....but where? We've discussed this, even... Thanks for showing me the first Yellow #2 and #3 that I *think* I've seen, but now that you mention the details of the auction, I remember that one, too. It sold for wayyyyyy more than I was willing to pay in 2002. Now, however, it was probably a steal. Thank you for sharing!

False...? I this thread...

That's 3. Excellent.

I ate mine. It was tasty. (burp)

Oh, and I agree. I get the feeling there's a LOT of holding out where these things are involved.

Do you think he has some left to sell? I really think there is more stuff going behind the scenes with these effin' things then anything else...here's one for you, why are you contemplating selling your black 3? Cause I need a new roof.

Sure there is! I discovered ten of #2 in one shot...and this from a seller who had no clue what they had, and frequently threw out books that they didn't think they could sell, including several hundred of the OTHER Image ashcans (Stormwatch, Brigade, etc.) Has anyone ever seen TEN #3s from any source? #1, sure, no problem. I think #1 and #2 are as common as each other. #2, I can account for at least 13 copies, my ten, at least one of yours, and the one that oftimespast listed. Quit holding out, here. I've been straightforward about what I have, how I got it, how much I paid, and what I've done with it. I could very, very easily have withheld how many black #2s I own, and pretended I only had one or two, to manipulate the market for my benefit, but I didn't. I laid it all out there, because knowledge is more important to me than profit. You, however, have been very close to the vest about what you have, what you've seen, and what you know about. I respectfully ask you to cut it out so the scholarship of these books is advanced. And I say that with the utmost respect and collegial humor. I'm not holding out, I'm happy to share information about what I have but not from those who wish to remain private. I have requested those scans and their purchase prices and the locations just for you RMA. People can remain anonymous and still share information. Happens all the time in other fields. Lots of "held by anonymous collector" details out there. But thank you.

Sure there is! I discovered ten of #2 in one shot...and this from a seller who had no clue what they had, and frequently threw out books that they didn't think they could sell, including several hundred of the OTHER Image ashcans (Stormwatch, Brigade, etc.) Has anyone ever seen TEN #3s from any source? #1, sure, no problem. I think #1 and #2 are as common as each other. #2, I can account for at least 13 copies, my ten, at least one of yours, and the one that oftimespast listed. Quit holding out, here. I've been straightforward about what I have, how I got it, how much I paid, and what I've done with it. I could very, very easily have withheld how many black #2s I own, and pretended I only had one or two, to manipulate the market for my benefit, but I didn't. I laid it all out there, because knowledge is more important to me than profit. You, however, have been very close to the vest about what you have, what you've seen, and what you know about. I respectfully ask you to cut it out so the scholarship of these books is advanced. And I say that with the utmost respect and collegial humor.

Yes. I've only been asking for this for years. Do you have one now? Four, however, is a lot less than 50. Let's see what happens when I list my #3.....

Bunnytoe, huh? This guy has some or all of the ashcans... I really wish I didn't have the feeling that people are holding out in this thread....

That 762 poster was me. As I stated there, the price guide was setting their values based on actual sales which is not an accurate representation when you only have five recorded sales that can be found. I'm open to your ideas so please let me know which parts of the post you don't agree with and I'll explain. Nothing in particular, more the commentary on how one person can base a price off 'one person's' opinion, similar to how you pointed out about lack of data for value. One thing's for sure, the prices are 'all over the map' someone pays $85 for a #1 Red from vikes and $200 for a number two red in another instance, yet when I list a number 3 with a 150 BIN and Offers, I don't get any interest at all. I'm interested....just not for that much. Vikes sucks. I hadn't blocked him, so he won a MM lot from me for $285...all F/VF...and he listed them at $499 as "NM/M!" Douchetacular!

If you need info on the sales, I could perhaps do a screen shot of my eBay sales account, which shows the sales of these books and their prices. Anything I can do to help.

I was.

Ok, lemme respond to this: As far as "is it not possible that someone is hoarding multiples of #1 and #3"...well, I suppose, but since my find was absolutely random, and obtained directly from the Image offices, I doubt it. It's not as if I carefully obtained these over the years...I bought all 11 at once, in one place (and boy, was I excited when I did.) If it were not for that buy, I would not own a single black. I have three recorded sales of Maxx #2 Blacks, the one 8.5 for $510, the one for $310, and the one for $179. Oftimespast listed, then ended, another #2, in Jan 2008. There was another #2 listed that year, too The #1 has been sold at least 3 times on eBay, including the one you bvought in 2006: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/the-maxx-1-black-ashcan-artist-proof-signed-sam It's at least 3, as I bid on the other two. And, of course, the #3 that sold to spreads last year. So that's 9 recorded sales. Now, before you say "those are yeah, I've seen them from time to time," remember that eBay has records of everything that's ever been listed going back to at least 1998. They offer this info for sale at ridiculous amounts, but it DOES exist. Here's some recorded sales of Maxx ashcans: http://www.worthpoint.com/inventory/search;jsessionid=48F46E0838AAE0F8700F72B3CD572EF9?query=maxx+ashcan&_action_search=Submit&adquery=Search+Price+Guide&categoryurl=&img=yes http://comics.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=12111&Lot_No=30636&src=pr# Heritage Auction, #1 Yellow, $36, 2002 http://comics.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=12111&Lot_No=30635 #2 Blue, $37, 2002

That 762 poster was me. As I stated there, the price guide was setting their values based on actual sales which is not an accurate representation when you only have five recorded sales that can be found. I'm open to your ideas so please let me know which parts of the post you don't agree with and I'll explain. I guess I gotta go check this out...

You have artfully dodged every question posed you, and instead choose to insist on being a drama queen. Clearly, despite your protestations to the contrary, you very much do not "get it." Pay very close attention to the words I am about to type: no one knows what you want. You have refused to answer...several times...what you REALISTICALLY expect for these, what you would accept...so no one's going to bother making any offer. How can anyone "understand" where you're coming from, when your start offer is ludicrous and laughable, and you refuse to state what range you would accept? As far as making an offer...why do you imagine I would? And if I did, why do you imagine you would know it is me...? I have already told you what I would offer, and you have said it's not enough. So what's your point, son? This isn't about me, so stop focusing on me. Being a drama queen about this isn't going to win you any fans...guaranteed. (thumbs u

I sent my #1 Yellow to be slabbed, and they...of course...hammered the offset pages. Only got a 9.0, when the cover itself is flawless. Considering CGC has seen all of about 10 of these total, they don't really have a good handle on grades...or, they do, and 9.0 is about as high as they will ever go. I have never, ever seen a #3 Yellow...which is odd, becaue they are ostensibly twice as common as #3. I was wondering when you'd chime in http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn65/ggsae/IMG_0899.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn65/ggsae/IMG_0900.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn65/ggsae/IMG_0902.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn65/ggsae/IMG_0903.jpg http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn65/ggsae/IMG_0905.jpg You know the photos aren't as clear as i like, especially the last one on the back which makes it look worse than it actually is, . But I definitely agree that a 9.0 is about as high as we can expect, I think both of these would fall around a 9.0/8.5. Don't know what to say about the number three yellow, i thought I recalled you just missed out on one from a seller that had all three yellows (quite a feat on it's own!). Very nice. Yeah, the guy who sold me the Yellow #1...for $50... ...said he had all of them. I doubt it. But who knows. You are EVER so lucky that #3 didn't show up on US searches...I have no doubt you would have beat it, but I would have thrown a $1,000 bid up. I still need #3 Blue, #2 Red, (Thank God it's not the other way around!), #2 and #3 Yellow, and #1 Black. I keep telling people I'll GLADLY trade a #2 Black for any combination of these, but no one seems interested. Ah well! I'll keep my hoard of blacks....

And how does disclosing the reserve price hurt your sales? It's stuff like that and these absolutely absurd 20k bins which just diminishes my desire for them. And as far as I know i'm the only person in the world (aside from maybe Keith himself ) with all three blacks (2 away from a complete set), you really have to understand your target audience - it's the completest (participating here) chasing the set that are only going to spend real money for these... All I need is a #1, buddy. And #1s are the easiest to get... You and I are the only people in the world with a #3....

Yeah, I'm going to have to call BS on this one. You know where I got the $200-$500 range? Because that's what the rarest regular issues Maxx books have sold for...the Maxx Blacks. And these sold in 2008, in a MUCH firmer market, AND, the first sale was $510, the second was $310, and the last was $179. We have a SIMILAR situation, if not precisely the same. You may dismiss the Blacks, but I guarantee you, outside of my mini-hoard, these books were either tossed, or they're distributed tightly in collections, or they're sitting in Sam Keith's boxes somewhere. In the past TEN YEARS, we've seen a single sale for #3 (last year), FIVE sales of #2 (three of which were mine), and 7-9 sales of #1. So, to say the numbers are "made up" is simply not true. Ask anyone else in this thread which numbers are more realistic...$200--$500...or $20,000. And....you seem to not understand this...but what *I* am willing to pay is only slightly less than what the 4-5 OTHER guys are willing to pay, who understand what these are, appreciate them, and give a damn about owning them... Everyone else? You'd be lucky to get $10 for one. If 10 of something exists, but only 9 people want one...they're worthless...at least the 10th is.... Why don't you just state what you're willing to accept? Instead of playing the guessing game?

Why don't you just let a regular auction run (with no reserve)? This would solve all of your problems and let the market decide what it is actually worth. If you don't like the price then keep the other 9. I can tell you, right now, I'd bid $200. I'm fairly certain I'm not the only one, so it's a guaranteed $200. Fufat doesn't HAVE to sell them...I plan on listing both my #3 Black and another #2 Black...and they're going to be for crazy amounts...but I don't *have* to sell them, and if someone wants them bad enough to pay my price, they'll pay them. But I'm not going to ask $20,000 for a Maxx Black #3, even though there are only TWO known to exist currently. And, if Fufat WANTS to sell them...he's going to have to acknowledge that no one's going to waste time making offers on a $20,000 start point. It's like listing the Hulk #181 9.9 for $1,000,000. Sure, the guy could just say he's "looking for offers"...but no one's going to make a fair offer, because the start price is ridiculous. If he started it at $125,000, that's a very high amount...but it's not out of the realm of reasonableness.