TMNT #1 Club 18 18

[toitle]

You guys are too funny!

 

I think the closest feeling is the Third Print but only with Eastman and Larid reading it to me.

 

 

Oh and the smell...The second print must smell older than the third print... UNLESS you read your comics in the sewer...then it's dark and smelly, and then the printing doesn't matter as much...but the feeling is right.

[spracknetch23]

I get that nostalgia feeling when reading the First Graphic Novel. That's the way I first read TMNT #1...in full color, bought from Waldenbooks with my allowance money. 10 whole dollars! Expensive for a 10-year-old.

[TMNT]

Waldenbooks

[TMNT]

I actually really enjoy those First color books as well and still flip through them from time to time

[pubmonkey]

I actually really enjoy those First color books as well and still flip through them from time to time

 

Me too, there really is a smell that comes from those pages...

[Sauce Dog]

 

Get a 2nd Print. (thumbs u

 

Except for the 2nd print, the reprints don't do it for me on this book.

 

Bare with me because it's tough to explain. Plus, it could just be I'm weird.

 

The original 1st print and 2nd print are the only books I still feel the magic of TMNT #1 while reading it.

 

The 3rd print is shaded darker, and the other reprints are smaller (plus some are also shaded differently). Those aspects constantly remind me I'm reading a reprint. Maybe to most people it doesn't matter. The story is the same, sure. But they don't "feel" right to me while reading them. I want that magazine size book that looks and feels the same.

 

I'll bet when Sauce Dog read his book he felt the magic I'm talking about.

 

My 1st print is slabbed; however, I'll always own a 2nd print for my reading copy.

 

Anyone else feel that way???

 

Spot on. The main difference is the paper. The newsprint, with smudged/transfered ink really drives home the indy nature of the book and the way it was created/printed - almost a personal connection to the creators since it was produced by them in limited numbers. I never read ANY of the original TMNT comics as a kid and don't have a nostalgia associated with the printing of the comics, only the characters, so I never bought it for this tactile difference but was very pleased with the experience.

 

I have the Free Comic Book Day version but something about it being on glossy pages didn't feel right. Story is great regardless how you read it but the experience of the older prints is something else (nothing superior, but different, don't mistake me for a stuffy old guy talking about vinyl record superiority etc...).

 

[TheMasterTurtle-migration]

Hi again guys...

 

Here is picture of my raw copy of TMNT issue 1, first printing which I finally got my hands on in December and was just overjoyed by it. I showed it as my first post a few pages back. I have paged through twice very carefully just to get that "feeling" I had hope for so much however other than reviewing the telltale signs (extra blood in the "T" on the cover, Gook ad on the back cover, etc) and inspecting the exterior I never investigated anything further. Considering I purchased it online, I couldnt do anyy of this until I had it in hand. I always had it in mind to get this book graded and have just recently started to do some investigation about how to go about it, the best companies, benefits of pressing, etc.

 

 

In my research I found an interesting article about restoration and it reviewed all the things a good presser and/ or what CGC looks for when grading. I feel the book passed all but one area and I'm disheartened to say I may have a slightly restored copy on my hands (keep in mind I'm no professional).

 

"Amateur Color Touch" is where I feel that I book might fail. If you look at my pictures you may not be able to see anything on the front cover but there are 2 places on the top and maybe 2 on the spine where I see something. These questionable marks only exist at the top of my book and nowhere else. Have a look for yourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As disheartening as this might be if I'm right I still feel like after 30 years the book is still in GREAT shape. Although I purchased this to make me happy and not for resale I still feel like I got hit in the gut because it may not be 100% original and may not hold its resale value.

 

I have a few questions that might help my night out after getting myself upset about this...

 

1) Opinions - has it been restored?

 

2) If so you feel it is should I still get it graded? Is a purple label frowned upon versus the much sought after blue?

 

3) What do you feel it's worth? I'm just interested for myself and In the hope that I still made a good investment. The edges are all rather crisp, pages are what I would consider to be white/ off-white, and a little stress on the spine. Other than the spine and the now glaring marks on the inner cover I feel like this book is still a high grade.

 

4) Am I overreacting/ making this into too big of a deal?

 

Thanks Guys

Edited February 27, 2014 by TheMasterTurtle

[maloney414]

Hi again guys...

 

Here is picture of my raw copy of TMNT issue 1, first printing which I finally got my hands on in December and was just overjoyed by it. I showed it as my first post a few pages back. I have paged through twice very carefully just to get that "feeling" I had hope for so much however other than reviewing the telltale signs (extra blood in the "T" on the cover, Gook ad on the back cover, etc) and inspecting the exterior I never investigated anything further. Considering I purchased it online, I couldnt do anyy of this until I had it in hand. I always had it in mind to get this book graded and have just recently started to do some investigation about how to go about it, the best companies, benefits of pressing, etc.

 

 

In my research I found an interesting article about restoration and it reviewed all the things a good presser and/ or what CGC looks for when grading. I feel the book passed all but one area and I'm disheartened to say I may have a slightly restored copy on my hands (keep in mind I'm no professional).

 

"Amateur Color Touch" is where I feel that I book might fail. If you look at my pictures you may not be able to see anything on the front cover but there are 2 places on the top and maybe 2 on the spine where I see something. These questionable marks only exist at the top of my book and nowhere else. Have a look for yourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As disheartening as this might be if I'm right I still feel like after 30 years the book is still in GREAT shape. Although I purchased this to make me happy and not for resale I still feel like I got hit in the gut because it may not be 100% original and may not hold its resale value.

 

I have a few questions that might help my night out after getting myself upset about this...

 

1) Opinions - has it been restored?

 

2) If so you feel it is should I still get it graded? Is a purple label frowned upon versus the much sought after blue?

 

3) What do you feel it's worth? I'm just interested for myself and In the hope that I still made a good investment. The edges are all rather crisp, pages are what I would consider to be white/ off-white, and a little stress on the spine. Other than the spine and the now glaring marks on the inner cover I feel like this book is still a high grade.

 

4) Am I overreacting/ making this into too big of a deal?

 

Thanks Guys

 

1.) Yes. That's amateur color touch....

 

2.) It would get a purple label, and demand/value is much less. They are frowned upon and are often called PLOD's (Purple Label of Death).

 

3.) The good investment question is tough to answer. We don't know what you paid for the book. If you paid a lot, you may want to return it if possible. However, the book is still has a large value.

 

According to GPA there were only 3 restored sales since 2012:

CGC 9.0 Purple SP sold for $1,300 in Feb. 2012

CGC 6.5 Purple SA sold for $1,610 in May 2013

CGC 8.0 Purple SA sold for $2,150 in Oct. 2013

 

It really depends on what you paid to own it. If you paid a 1000 bucks to own it, you're still ahead. If you paid 4000 you've got a right to be angry.

 

4.) No. You are not overreacting. It's a big deal, since it's an expensive book.

 

One option is to simply keep the book raw and enjoy the comic. If and when you ever decide to sell look into your options of removing the color touch. There is much debate over this, but the truth is that having the color touched pieces removed will result in a lower graded blue label which may be worth more. I've never done that so I'm not a good person to get specific advice from, but it would be a good question for the guys in the grading and restoration threads.

[Mister O]

Everything maloney414 said is spot on and is pretty much what I was about to post including the GPA pricing. (thumbs u

 

It sucks to see the book restored, but you still have 1 of 3,000 first print books out there and people will still pay decent money for it down the road should you decide to sell. The October 2013 sale of the 8.0 grade shows the book still sells strong even when restored.

[TheMasterTurtle-migration]

Maloney I really appreciate your response as difficult as it is for me to swallow. I don't feel like it has the same magic as before but I still love having it. Perhaps one day I'll get a already graded blue label but I can't splurge right now again. I paid just over 2500 so compared to the most recently sold it's not terribly bit still a loss.

 

Sigh - what a rough night and I'll maybe talk to the grading /restoration and see what they think.

 

Thanks again!

[USArmyParatrooper]

Maloney I really appreciate your response as difficult as it is for me to swallow. I don't feel like it has the same magic as before but I still love having it. Perhaps one day I'll get a already graded blue label but I can't splurge right now again. I paid just over 2500 so compared to the most recently sold it's not terribly bit still a loss.

 

Sigh - what a rough night and I'll maybe talk to the grading /restoration and see what they think.

 

Thanks again!

 

Where or from whom did you buy it? If it was sold to me as an unmolested, problem free copy I would be livid. But depending on who you bought it from I guess it is possible that the seller didn't know. If it's possible you should take it back to the seller, point out the color touch and asked for a refund.

 

It's still a Ninja Turtles #1, so it's value will likely move alongside other unrestored copies. The problem is your starting point. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for it?

[TheMasterTurtle-migration]

I have to say the seller was awesome to work with however Id say not educated in terms of looking for things like this. I paid just over $2500 so I'm not looking at a terrible loss if I were to eventually get it graded. I can't say I'm livid as much as I'm disappointed. Eventually I see it catching it's value again being that there still are so few.

 

Ultimately I purchased it for my collection and it's still 1 of the 3000 in great shape despite this unfortunate news. Rather than grading I may simply consider framing my first 4 issues. That was my original plan when I tracked them down versus having them graded anyway.

[USArmyParatrooper]

If you frame it make sure you take it to a professional who deals with original art. Use only archival materials and museum (non reflective, 99% UV block) glass.

[valiantman]

I'm in the club.

 

[Ryan.]

I'm in the club.

 

 

That's almost as pretty as an AF15 4.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[whetteon]

I'm in the club.

 

 

BOOM!

 

There it is!

[maloney414]

I'm in the club.

 

 

 

Congrats on the trade! That is a great book to own!!

 

 

Here is the updated list:

 

TMNT #1 Club

 

 

Blue Label: 50 copies

Yellow Label: 6 copies

Purple Label: 1 copy

Raw: 13 copies

 

Total: 70 copies

 

CGC Universal:

 

9.8 (W) passion4comics (page 89)

9.8 (W) telerites (No pic)

9.8 (OWW) pubmonkey (page 42)

9.6 (W) icculus308win (page 14) Signed by Eastman and Laird with a sketch on inside front cover

9.6 (W) USArmyParatrooper (page 39) Signed by Eastman and Laird on inside front cover

9.6 (W) Max Carnage (page 70)

9.6 (W) valiantman (page 96)

9.4 (OW) Detroit Mike (page 2)

9.4 (W) Cyberjad (page 13) Signed by Eastman and Laird on inside front cover

9.4 (OWW) mrmitchgro (page 69)

9.4 Rabidwolf (No pic)

9.2 (W) TMNT (page 1) Signed by Eastman and Laird on inside front cover

9.2 (W) tornay (page 44)

9.2 (OWW) Jeffreykli (page 1)

9.2 (W) accessndx (page 62)

9.2 (W) mikeggg (page 72)

9.2 (W) 4turtles2007 (page 80)

9.2 (W) dane323 (page 86) "Don/Maggie Thompson Collection"

9.2 (OWW) Sonukumar21 (page 91)

9.2 (W) campued1010 (page 92)

9.0 (W) Stronguy (page 18)

9.0 (W) proventheory (page 26)

9.0 (W) JesterSB (page 45)

9.0 (OWW) hulk181man (page 27)

9.0 Peter Palmer (page 9)

8.5 (W) ChadH (page 41)

8.5 (W) mrmitchgro (page 63, previous owner mikeggg)

8.5 (OWW) whetteon (page 29)

8.5 (OWW) spracknetch23 (page 65)

8.5 Rabidwolf (No pic)

8.5 Rabidwolf (No pic)

8.0 (W) Stronguy (page 18)

8.0 (W) TheAmazing R.J.S. (page 33) Signed by Eastman and salutation on inside front cover

8.0 (OWW) sgcomiccollector (page 82) Signed by Eastman and Laird on inside front cover

8.0 Rabidwolf (No pic)

7.5 (W) DevilsRain (page 4)

7.5 (W) maloney414 (page 31) Signed & Sketch by Eastman on back of slab

7.5 joker-fish (page 25) Signed by Eastman with a sketch on inside front cover

7.5 (W) slackjawcomics (page 76)

7.5 (W) Comedian (page 83)

7.5 (W) Parabellum (page 89)

7.5 (OWW) metallickyrulz (page 82)

7.5 Rabidwolf (No pic)

7.0 (W) lookwhoitis (page 55)

7.0 (OWW) jjfversion1 (page 80)

7.0 (CR/OW) Rmfn33 (page 85)

7.0 Ogami (No pic) Signed & Sketched by Eastman and Laird

6.0 (W) thebends1996 (page 25)

6.0 Robbussum (page 27)

6.0 Rabidwolf (No pic)

 

CGC SIGNATURE SERIES

 

9.2 (W) PeasOfCrap (page 77) Signed & Sketched by Eastman(4 turtles) and Laird(Splinter & Shredder)

9.2 (w) toitle (page 77) Signed by Eastman and Laird

7.0 (W) Archon Turtle (Page 7) Signed and sketched by Eastman

6.0 (W) Mac Man (page 8) SS Eastman only; however, signed & sketch by Laird as well

5.5 toitle (page 77) Signed by Eastman and Laird

5.0 ryanatlas (page 61) SS Signed by Eastman. Signed on slab by Peter Laird, Steve Lavigne & Eric Talbot (page 73)

 

 

 

 

CGC RESTORED

 

9.0 (W) Schmakt (No pic) Slight (A) color touch

 

RAW:

 

RockMyAmadeus (page 1)

Chainnball (page 14)

woregul (page 30) Signed w/ head sketch by Eastman + Signed w/ 4 head sketches by Laird

Mr. Comicbook (No pic)

Iggy (No pic)

Angela Rose (No pic)

TFL (No pic)

Zombikaze (No pic)

Kaylab (page 63)

4turtles2007 (page 70)

jsilverjanet (page 84)

TheMasterTurtle (page 92)

Sauce Dog (page 93)

[valiantman]

That's almost as pretty as an AF15 4.0

[NewWorldOrder]

 

I am still in the club with my AF 15 CGC 4.0 haha

 

Copy A: traded to Valiantman

 

Copy B: CGC graded YTBD

 

CGC Grade: Pretty High

 

 

[Vikingreed]

Wow.

Very nice, and congrats!