JJ P

6 hours ago, littledoom said:

What other comics were in that box your mom was going to throw out? I’d like to take a look

Hey there, check out my response to same inquiry on page two of this thread, thanks!

1 hour ago, newshane said:

Yes. You need to send it to the CGC regardless of your decision to sell or keep. You need to know exactly what you have, and so do potential buyers. 

Yes. You need insurance if you keep it. Check with your home insurer and ask about a rider to cover the market value of the book at any given time. Then, compare that number with a policy from https://collectinsure.com/. Shop around and carefully read the policy. You should also consider safe and secure ways of physically storing the book. Dark, cool, crisp air. Don't tell anyone where the book is. Don't store it out in the light. Don't store it in a fireproof safe. Those are the main factors you should consider regarding storage. 

Consider registered mail. You can pay for the insurance up to 50K. I'm not sure how drop-offs or walk-through grading looks after Covid restrictions, but you can consider that as well. If you get a policy through collectinsure, they will cover any loss or damage while the book is in transit, as long as you follow certain protocols. Your agent should be able to guide you. 

I don't think there is a downside to keeping the book. It's the ultimate blue chip comic book, not impossibly out of reach for the average white collar worker (unlike Action 1 - a book for multi-millionaires). I wouldn't be afraid to hold onto it at all. It will only tank if the entire hobby tanks. Bonified cultural icon. 

Not really sure that the new movie will move the meter at a faster rate. AF15 just doesn't need the hype. 

 

Very helpful, thanks!

2 minutes ago, astrometric said:

My sincere condolences OP. 

I didn't see this mentioned. NEVER ship this kind of valuable book via UPS or FedEx unless you have a 3rd party insurance policy that covers in-transit lost/damaged shipping liability.

Just because you can declare the value of the package for $40K does not equate to any kind of insurance coverage. The amount of actual insurance coverage from a Fed Ex/UPS is a pittance with respect to comic books.

UPS does offer Parcel Pro which is a separate insurance coverage for highly valuable shipments but I believe applicable for jewelry, loose stones etc.

USPS registered mail does offer up to $50K of legit liability coverage. However in your specific scenario with this raw comic, I'm not familiar with how heavy the burden is to prove current market value and how you could even do that with respect to condition grade vs. say had you bought this comic in certified CGC slab form off eBay and received a retail invoice and paid with your paypal account. 

God speed to you and your family. 

Thank you for this, yes, seems crazy to me to trust anyone other than a hand to hand courier to transport this.  I'm about 11 hours from Sarasota, so likely would just drive it to Joey/CGC.

Hi Folks,

Let me just say how great you all have been in providing your insight and knowledge.  All the comments have been helpful.  I think i'm leaning towards retaining the comic as an investment.  My initial thoughts are to have it cleaned, pressed and graded.

My impression is some folks would advise against pressing and even more against cleaning.  Can I ask for specific feedback on the pros and cons of each process?

Once graded and slabbed, what are the recommendations for storage, are their storage companies for this type of collectible?  Any recommendations?  I think I would be too nervous to retain at home.  Does anyone know if I were to insure through my home insurance policy, is that not applicable if I store at a storage company and not in my home?

Thanks again!

24 minutes ago, revat said:

Some people have mentioned that you should do a "walk-through" grading at CGC, and ideally hand deliver it.  This is a great idea. It has also been noted that because of covid restrictions, that does not appear to be an option currently.  Regarding that, you should consider the following options:

1.  Take a bunch of pictures of your book, inside and and outside, just so in the case of the worst, you can prove which book is yours.  Maybe toss in a picture of a newspaper or current magazine in some of those pics. do this no matter what

2.  Contact CGC anyways, and see if they can make a special accommodation for you and your submission (they'd never admit publicly, but doesn't hurt for you personally to ask).  

3.  If you're not in a super hurry to submit, you could wait until CGC is accepting submissions in person again, then take it to Florida yourself.  Given that Florida seems to be on the 'looser' side of Covid restrictions (no judgment), I think it would be reasonable to think by June/July or earlier it might be an option.  (your own geography/finances might be a factor in this)

4.  There is a highly regarded presser (of course do more research on your own) who can help you with pressing/cleaning (obviously for money), who I believe lives in Florida and in the past generally hand delivers submissions to CGC.  Assuming you are satisfied after researching and asking that person enough questions, you could hand deliver your book to that person now (assuming you can meet that person in person), let them take some time to press/clean over the next few months, then when CGC accepts in-person submissions again they can submit for your book in person for you.  That person is here on the boards, called 'joeypost', I think he's been mentioned before in this thread.

5.  If you happen to live in/near the same city as a major auction house (like heritage, but there are others) and were planning to sell anyways, you can make an arrangement with them, where you give them the comic in person, and they handle the grading for you (and subsequent sale), and then you can just not think about it anymore essentially.  They take a huge cut, but there's a lot of value to not having the comic in your physical possession or finding customers or dealing with shipping or returns or paperwork or insurance.  Its not right for everyone, but its right for some people.  With a book like this, you should be able to negotiate some of the terms.  Just something to consider.

Great info, really appreciate all the help and advice!

2 minutes ago, kav said:

If the spider man 50 is in really good condition we're talking serious money.  Maybe like $5000 for 9.2 and above.

It is not in good condition, bad spine roll, tears...its in the “hey buddy can u spare a grade”, if you check it out let me know your thoughts...im thinking 1.0-1.5?

9 minutes ago, PopKulture said:

For sure the Amazing Spiderman 50 and the Atom 1 are very solid books with widespread collector's appeal. The Space Adventures 33 is the first appearance of Captain Atom and a tough book to find. Brave and Bold 28 is the second appearance of the Justice League, so there is some great content here.

Condition plays a huge role in the value of comics, so arm yourself about how various defects affect condition - i.e., creases, tears, stains, loose staples, etc. Always look through the books to see if any coupons are cut and check to see if the centerfold is intact (and/or loose). 

Never, never take the first offer or fall for high pressure tactics!! 

Great info and advice, thanks!

4 minutes ago, THE_BEYONDER said:

How did you arrive at your 4.0-5.0 grade?

Just my research over the past few days, but no experience grading

1 minute ago, James J Johnson said:

Here's one very close in condition to yours. The opener is $58,000. 

AMAZING FANTASY #15 CGC 5.5 1st appearance Spider-Man Spiderman | eBay

Wow!  Overwhelmed!

Just now, The Lions Den said:

Very sorry to hear about your father. Having lost my own father a couple of years ago, I can sympathize... 

This is a very attractive looking copy which would make a great investment. I'd certainly consider having it graded by CGC. It would cost some money to have it done, but in my opinion it would be well worth it. 

And yes, a book like this could justify a trip to Sarasota...  

i wondered about that...i read that maybe CGC not accepting walkins due to CV19, any feel for that?  Scared to death to send through mail/overnight.  And, thank you for the condolences.

36 minutes ago, Buzzetta said:

Just let me know how many offers you start getting and while you don't have to state who is sending them to you, it would be comical to see what prices are being offered... 

Having been in your situation and not being in the market for a copy, if you want pricing of what they are worth I would be happy to cut and paste.  However, I would get it pressed and graded.

 

Thank you!  Pressed, dry cleaned and graded or just pressed and graded?  Does CGC offer pressing or just grading?  Thanks for your help!

Thanks for your help and opinion.

8 minutes ago, thunsicker said:

Sorry for your loss.

There is no way I would get it graded unless I was planning on selling it.  

It's something most here do.  It's possible to get a rider on your current insurance, but most here go with Collectibles Insurance Services

If you do get it graded and you have CollectInsure they will tell you how to ship the comic so it's covered.  Otherwise, yes, I'd get it insured on the trip there.

I'm a collector not an investor, so unless it had value to me more than the cash I would get I would sell it.

First off comic prices are shooting up very rapidly now.  Maybe they will crash (though the bubble burst has been predicted for 30 or 40 years now and comics still seem to be rising) maybe they will grow forever, no one really knows.  If you have enough cash in more traditional investments and you want to keep the comic as an alternative investment it would be fantastic, but if you don't have a lot of cash in more traditional investments I wouldn't advise you to keep such a large chunk in this non-traditional investment.  Especially if it's not an investment you know much about.

So helpful, thank you!

Thanks so much for the info and condolences, appreciate it!

thank you, this is helpful.  will do.

i was hoping/thinking for 4.5/5 but not much experience evaluating for grade, this is helpful!

Here’s a copy of this lil beauty

so, proverbial story, my father passed away recently.  my mom said she was going to throw out the box of comics, asked if i wanted them.  Went through them the other day and found what i think is a very good 4.0-5.0 AF 15.  would love some advice if you have it.

do i get it graded first regardless if i ultimately sell or save?

do i need insurance if I keep it?

if get it graded, do you insure the shipping?

learning all about a hobby i didn't know much about, in the past few days, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

thanks folks!

Thanks SS275!