LearnedHand

Did they say if they would pay for the return shipping? I just ordered/received 1,000 and of those I've opened, they are exactly like your first photo. I had already popped open 3-4 packs before I noticed. I took the step of running my finger over them to see if I can still use them. On some, the texture is virtually smooth so I'm not overly concerned. But for the rest, it's concerning and I'd like to replace - but think it would be crazy if I got stuck with return shipping for this size order. Thanks for your reply.

Never saw the Rockford copy - very, very nice! Here's mine:

Wow, that's where it is! I owned this copy (same pencil marking) eons ago and the colors are spectacular - better by far than the Church copy (in my humble opinion), as I've held them both together in my right and left hands. In fact, this copy has the best cover colors I've ever seen on this book, full stop. I had a very hard time letting it go, but ultimately, I was offered my choice of the Crowleys and went for it - it's a CGC 9.4 with double cover (my iPhone doesn't do it justice), and i'm a sucker for double covers from this era.

I'm not a certified expert on Mac's work, but I've studied it in depth for years and did a fair amount of research for the Overstreet article. From memory, I think most Master covers after #51 (June 1944) and Captain Marvel Jr. after #20 (June 1944) are not done by Mac - excluding of course those that regurgitate renderings he did before moving on to Crossen in mid-1944. True, he had an arrangement with Fawcett after moving to Crossen where he would still do the occasional Capt. Marvel Jr. cover when he had the time, but the only covers I feel certain are truly Mac's work after CMJ #20 - again, not counting regurgitated renderings - are CMJ ##22 and 25. Maybe I'm missing 1 or 2. I'm a bit surprised at the "Mac covert art" label given by CGC to some books that are quite likely not Mac's work, regurgitated or otherwise ...

Or, let's make it a quad - here's the "D" Copy. Hey, Lou Fine, Straw-Man and Sqeggs: so, you gents aren't loving the Green Lama cover even though it's one of Mac's very few painted covers and one he painstakingly did to distinguish it from the typical? OK, well, Master #27 isn't a flag cover, but if you like Mac's flag covers, maybe these (the last 2 images) will help redeem?

Beautiful! And, let's add the Crowley copy to the mix. Incidentally, I almost started this thread with this book - aside from the great (understated) WWII cover, the figures, even the leather jackets, are so realistic.

That's a beautiful 5.5! OK, I'll try a very creative and maybe novel interpretation, in the light most favorable to the current Overstreet description: see all the black smoke depicted as coming from behind the field of oil dereks in the background (must be, as the dereks are clear, not engulfed in, or blurred by, smoke)? Well, all of that darkness and smoke is emanating from an atomic blast that has sparked fires and set off the oil field blaze in its "sphere of radiation." Full Disclosure: not sure what my wife added to my coffee this a.m.

Some more WWI and patriotic covers. The liberty bell cover is so unique!

I've always thought this was one of the best uses of the swastika on these WWII propaganda covers. Very different message than Pep No. 20, but very similar to Green Lama No. 6 - eradication from Earth.

Was just organizing some stuff and ran into a sandpit when I pulled out a stack of books featuring Mac's artwork. As anyone who read my Overstreet article on Mac a few years back knows, I think his talent was unparalleled. In fact, that article was originally titled "The Greatest (Comic Book) Artwork Ever Sold" - a play on words that, for whatever reason, got lost in translation during editing. Anyway, it would be great to have a thread showcasing his talents and really hoping for some great replies. Here are a couple photos (sorry, iPhone) to get this thread started, the first is inspired by the Season ...

Not sure if this qualifies as a real contribution to this thread, but found this stuff yesterday. I know I have older stuff (programs and show buttons - remember show buttons before badges?, etc.). Will keep looking when I get a chance...

This book is now SOLD. Thanks to everyone for the PMs, the emails, all the interest, and the kind comments about this copy. Thought I had a lot as I own 4 - but after seeing that photo above I now feel like a pauper!

Just saw this thread - wow, great stuff! Curious - does anyone have more on Phil Seuling? I ask because I've always wanted to learn more about him than just what's reprinted above from wikipedia and the little I have from fanzines from the period. I had met him a few times in the late 1970s/very early 1980s. I was in 5th or 6th grade at the time and the school teacher (and his girlfriend at the time) that got me into collecting Golden Age was friends with Phil and Carole, and he introduced us probably in 1977 or 1978 at the July 4th Seuling show. I would run into Seuling on occasion thereafter and he would always take a few minutes to chat about comic books with me - probably because I was an oddity - this small and young kid that was very into what was then considered advanced collecting. Anyway, he was a sort of enigma to me, as he seemed very sophisticated and important, with people constantly in need of his attention, but at the same time he was like a big kid. Well, I lost touch with my teacher (he and his girlfriend moved away) and in parallel, the July 4th Seuling show disappeared. I heard a couple years later that he had died, which was disturbing as he was very young. Anyway, was just curious to learn more about him, as he left a lasting impression. Again, this is a great thread.

Here are some more photos with a little better lighting. Contrary to the photos in my OP, the colors are vibrant and not at all washed out. I also added unclose photos of the centerfold for PQ and because a few folks asked me if there was staple rust - as you can see there is zero rust - staples are very solid. Thanks again for the inquiries and hope this helps.

I'm giving Board members a shot at this book first. This is a solid lower/mid grade totally unrestored and un-pressed copy of the rarest Two-Face Detective Comics cover. This book lays flat, has nice colors, and some gloss still remains. It has no real creasing to speak of. Spine is intact and solid. Staples and centerfold all attached. As seen in the photo, the book just has general wear and age to it, plus a small piece out of the bottom edge of the left front cover and a tiny piece missing at the bottom staple's bottom prong. Pages are as seen in photo (cream to off-white?). Note: I took the photos with my iPhone and the lighting wasn't great. Asking $725 + shipping fees. The first "I'll Take It" (or similar definitive statement) on this thread wins this book. Note: in case I don't get back to you right away, I'm going to be out for the next few hours. Thanks very much for looking! NOTE: Some folks asked for better photos, so I've taken more (again, with iPhone) and posted below. Thanks for the inquiries! Peter

Some really helpful replies - thanks!

I'm thinking about selling several books including my More Fun #36. It just came back recently as 9.2 with off-white/white. I think this book definitely has upgrade potential with a press, as it has some waviness and such that I imagine can be removed. I bought it and a bunch of other books from an original owner about 25-30 years ago. All very fresh books, if you can imagine that for books that span 1936 - 1944. I'd prefer to sell it to someone here, the problem is I just don't how to price something like this. Thanks for weighing in on this query! Peter

Not sure if this has been discussed, but I did a quick search and didn't see a related topic... There are several auction houses and auction sites through which to sell and each as its pros and cons. For instance, Heritage markets via several media including email, slick catalogues, and fliers. And it has online, dial-in, and an actual floor auction, where folks stoked by too much testosterone can have an in-your-face bidding frenzy with the guy in the next seat to try and prove who's is bigger. All of which could mean a higher hammer price. But I think they charge 19.5% buyer and seller premium as a default (?) so the seller's check looks very different than the sale price. Clink markets via email and has only a virtual, online auction. But they charge no buyer premium and a flat 10% of the seller, so even if the sale price isn't quite as high, the seller could still yield more. And, then there's Ebay, CConnect, Pedigree, and others. Anyway, in terms selling Golden Age, does anyone have any experience or an opinion on what selling option is best for the seller to yield the best returns?

Thanks for sharing! That's a great first-hand account. The question though, is when you bought Showcase 4 and similar, were you competely unaware that the Golden Age had occurred and that the Flash had a prior life? My guess is that in your case, because you were only 9, the answer is probably "yes?" But, did you have older siblings or cousins in their teens at that time and if so, did they too seem to not know or not remember the Flash or the earlier era with super hero books filling the racks? Thanks again for sharing.

Mr. Bedrock (Richie?), The reason for the 5-year hiatus was at the core of my initial post. In essence, you have two named "Ages" (First Heroic Age (GA) and then the Second Heroic Age (SA)) as though there was some real end-point and significant time gap to explain the demarcation and new named "Age." Was stating that I've never understood that because the gap was short and some superheroes were in continuous print. But that's received a lot of good input and answers above. With respect, I think the point you are making is different, even if I agree with it. All the books you've named are not "the" demarcation books for new named "Ages." Peter

I wish I had those comic book racks as-is! Wow, that is a great image. I don't disagree with anything said and see a lot of it the same way. I think the portrayal I laid out came from an Overstreet article published years ago that pointed to the stir caused by Showcase 4 and that it sparked the Secong Heroic Age. I've seen similar accounts elsewhere and that's sort of why I asked the question. In my humble opinion, I think it's more as you've stated - the trends didn't favor superheroes until Showcase 4 had people take another look at this genre. Even a ten year gap between regular Flash appearances, however, doesn't explain how hobbyists were unaware of his prior existence. I think this portrayal is even repeated in the narrative in Crisis on Infinite Earths no. 1. I also feel, blasphemous as this may be, that Young Men 24 was more important than Showcase 4, even if it wasn't, or isn't portrayed as, the "spark."

Hey everyone. I've been gone from this forum for quite some time, and just started reading some threads. Some really interesting threads! Glad to be back! This has probably been discussed before, but the portrayal of the birth of the Silver Age has always been an enigma to me. I'm sure everyone has heard about what a stir Showcase 4 caused when it appeared in 1956. The stories go that a generation, including young adults, was introduced to superheroes, something many hadn't seen before. And people were even more shocked when they learned this SA hero, the Flash, had a precursor way back in the 1940s. Basically, the gap between the Golden Age sunset and the birth of the Silver Age is portrayed as so great that the GA heroes were not commonly known or remembered by the time 1956 rolled around. The fact is, the sunset of the JSA (All-Star Comics) was in 1951 - a mere 5 years before Showcase 4 appeared. Coupled with Batman and Superman being in continuous print, I have a hard time understanding how a 5 year gap explains the way things are portrayed. Anyone? Peter

From what I know of Jon, having met him back in 2000 at ComicCon and then, realizing we lived a town part, having been to his house twice to look through his stash of books (with a regular invitation to return anytime), he has an amazing collection. Deep runs of very many titles - popular and off-beat - and multiple copies of some books, including some keys and otherwise significant books. In terms of mixed feelings, this was a monumental decision, given the 45 year journey. But Jon strikes me as someone who looks forward (onward and upward).