Ask Gator 13 13

[jaydog]

I have yet to add any Timely's to my collection but would like to. What title should I start with,budgeting less than $500 a book. Priority on good stories, then cool covers.

 

Human torch ?

All-Select ?

Kids Comics ?

USA Comics ?

Captain America ?

Young Allies ?

Marvel Mystery ?

Sub-mariner ?

Others ?

 

Also, what is a PLOD ?

[Cat-Man_America]

I have yet to add any Timely's to my collection but would like to. What title should I start with,budgeting less than $500 a book. Priority on good stories, then cool covers.

 

Human torch ?

All-Select ?

Kids Comics ?

USA Comics ?

Captain America ?

Young Allies ?

Marvel Mystery ?

Sub-mariner ?

Others ?

 

Also, what is a PLOD ?

 

I'll jump in here if Lord GAtor doesn't mind (he's probably still in shock about Doohickamabob's being conflicted over his earlier response).

 

Most Timelys have really cool covers and action packed stories. For starters, given your budgetary considerations I'd probably recommend one of the longer running titles like Captain America or Marvel Mystery because you'll have more to choose from at varying price points. Captain America has more costumed character stories while Marvel Mystery has a bit more variety, but you can't go wrong with either of them. (thumbs u

 

OTOH, if you're starting out with the idea of trying to put together a run I'd recommend an affordable mid-grade copy from one of the shorter run titles to get started (Daring Comics, Mystic Series 2, USA Comics, All Select, etc.).

 

PLOD stands for Purple Label of Death (the purple label affixed by CGC graders to restored book holders).

 

The good news is that this concept has been mythbusted. The purchase of a restored book doesn't come with a death curse on the book or it's owner.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 21, 2011 by DavidMerryweather

[Mr. 10%]

I have yet to add any Timely's to my collection but would like to. What title should I start with,budgeting less than $500 a book. Priority on good stories, then cool covers.

 

Human torch ?

All-Select ?

Kids Comics ?

USA Comics ?

Captain America ?

Young Allies ?

Marvel Mystery ?

Sub-mariner ?

Others ?

 

Also, what is a PLOD ?

 

I'll jump in here if Lord GAtor doesn't mind (he's probably still in shock about Doohickamabob's being conflicted over his earlier response).

 

Most Timelys have really cool covers and action packed stories. For starters, given your budgetary considerations I'd probably recommend one of the longer running titles like Captain America or Marvel Mystery because you'll have more to choose from at varying price points. Captain America has more costumed character stories while Marvel Mystery has a bit more variety, but you can't go wrong with either of them. (thumbs u

 

OTOH, if you're starting out with the idea of trying to put together a run I'd recommend an affordable mid-grade copy from one of the shorter run titles to get started (Daring Comics, Mystic Series 2, USA Comics, All Select, etc.).

 

PLOD stands for Purple Label of Death (the purple label affixed by CGC graders to restored book holders).

 

The good news is that this concept has been mythbusted. The purchase of a restored book doesn't come with a death curse on the book or it's owner.

 

 

 

 

 

Hey MerryWeather when you mentioned 'Lord Gator' or almost read it as 'Darth Vader'

[Mr. 10%]

 

Whats the ultimate PLOD to own for the future ?

CAn it be any other than action 1. That said as far as plods go even that book (and tec 27) are getting out of even the serious collectors budget. So look to batman 1 and superman 1 and captain America 1 to be the most heavily traded

 

And even then one should be prepared to bring about $5k (or more) to the table for a .5 complete restored copy of either one of these, isn't that right? Even here it's a crazy competitive market since common collectors are looking for an *affordable* copy.

 

 

 

Damn - I'd love to swing it on a mid to HG E(P) Cap 1

How much dough needs to be dragged to market for such a copy?

[G.A.tor]

 

Whats the ultimate PLOD to own for the future ?

CAn it be any other than action 1. That said as far as plods go even that book (and tec 27) are getting out of even the serious collectors budget. So look to batman 1 and superman 1 and captain America 1 to be the most heavily traded

 

And even then one should be prepared to bring about $5k (or more) to the table for a .5 complete restored copy of either one of these, isn't that right? Even here it's a crazy competitive market since common collectors are looking for an *affordable* copy.

 

 

 

Damn - I'd love to swing it on a mid to HG E(P) Cap 1

How much dough needs to be dragged to market for such a copy?

low 5 figures easy (thumbs u

[G.A.tor]

I have yet to add any Timely's to my collection but would like to. What title should I start with,budgeting less than $500 a book. Priority on good stories, then cool covers.

 

Human torch ?

All-Select ?

Kids Comics ?

USA Comics ?

Captain America ?

Young Allies ?

Marvel Mystery ?

Sub-mariner ?

Others ?

 

Also, what is a PLOD ?

 

I'll jump in here if Lord GAtor doesn't mind (he's probably still in shock about Doohickamabob's being conflicted over his earlier response).

 

Most Timelys have really cool covers and action packed stories. For starters, given your budgetary considerations I'd probably recommend one of the longer running titles like Captain America or Marvel Mystery because you'll have more to choose from at varying price points. Captain America has more costumed character stories while Marvel Mystery has a bit more variety, but you can't go wrong with either of them. (thumbs u

 

OTOH, if you're starting out with the idea of trying to put together a run I'd recommend an affordable mid-grade copy from one of the shorter run titles to get started (Daring Comics, Mystic Series 2, USA Comics, All Select, etc.).

 

PLOD stands for Purple Label of Death (the purple label affixed by CGC graders to restored book holders).

 

The good news is that this concept has been mythbusted. The purchase of a restored book doesn't come with a death curse on the book or it's owner.

 

 

 

fine answer...fine answer indeed!

[miraclemet]

one note about PLODs... they get the negative connotation due to the (typical) decrease in value of the book vs its Universal (blue) counterparts...

 

the doom part of PLOD typically comes when you pay for an "unrestored" comic, get it graded and it comes back as restored with a PLOD... and you wave goodbye to some of the comics (perceived) value.

 

 

[jaydog]

Thanks Much !

[Flex Mentallo]

I have yet to add any Timely's to my collection but would like to. What title should I start with,budgeting less than $500 a book. Priority on good stories, then cool covers.

 

Human torch ?

All-Select ?

Kids Comics ?

USA Comics ?

Captain America ?

Young Allies ?

Marvel Mystery ?

Sub-mariner ?

Others ?

 

Also, what is a PLOD ?

 

I'll jump in here if Lord GAtor doesn't mind (he's probably still in shock about Doohickamabob's being conflicted over his earlier response).

 

Most Timelys have really cool covers and action packed stories. For starters, given your budgetary considerations I'd probably recommend one of the longer running titles like Captain America or Marvel Mystery because you'll have more to choose from at varying price points. Captain America has more costumed character stories while Marvel Mystery has a bit more variety, but you can't go wrong with either of them. (thumbs u

 

OTOH, if you're starting out with the idea of trying to put together a run I'd recommend an affordable mid-grade copy from one of the shorter run titles to get started (Daring Comics, Mystic Series 2, USA Comics, All Select, etc.).

 

PLOD stands for Purple Label of Death (the purple label affixed by CGC graders to restored book holders).

 

The good news is that this concept has been mythbusted. The purchase of a restored book doesn't come with a death curse on the book or it's owner.

 

 

 

 

 

Hey MerryWeather when you mentioned 'Lord Gator' or almost read it as 'Darth Vader'

 

That's "Lord Merryweather" to you an' me! (thumbs u

[Wayne-Tec]

Hi Gator,

 

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I couldn't find where you've posted it in the past, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get your current opinion on the topic...

 

Can you compare both the current and projected FMV's (lets say 10 years from now) for Detective Comics #29 and Detective Comics #31?

 

-Low grade.

-Mid grade.

-High grade.

 

How many copies of each would you guesstimate to still be in existence?

 

The highest CGC-certified copy of Tec #29 is the Allentown 9.6 and the highest unrestored Tec #31 is an 8.0; how much do you estimate the Tec #29 9.6's current FMV to be today and how much would you estimate a Tec #31 would sell for if one existed in the exact same condition?

I consider tec 29 to me more valueable, grade for grade, than tec 31...that said, there is more apparent demand for 31, than 29 (which is a good thing, since there are more copies of 31 in the market than 29, so that kind of evens out)...

 

low grade tec 29 and 31 sell at comparable rates...as do mid grade ...high grade just don't "exist" with sales, so really no way to know... my guess is someone would easily pony up 500K for the allentown 29 if they so desired, and would pay the same for a 9.6 tec 31 if out there...I think in 7.0 both are worth about the same (there is a tec 29 in cgc 7.0 coming up for auction soon, so we will have some more empiracal data soon)...

 

long term, 10 years out, I suspect both will appreciate faster than inflation (thumbs u

 

Thanks for the feedback Rick. (thumbs u

 

Do you know where the 7.0 Tec #29 will be auctioned off (CC, CL, HA...)?

 

Also, how many copies of both Tec #29 and Tec #31 would you estimate to still be in existence?

 

150-250?

 

I've heard that Tec #29's are harder to come by than Tec #27's, has that been the case in your experience?

[nearmint]

The 7.0 Tec #29 is in the Feb Heritage Auction.

 

 

[G.A.tor]

Hi Gator,

 

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I couldn't find where you've posted it in the past, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get your current opinion on the topic...

 

Can you compare both the current and projected FMV's (lets say 10 years from now) for Detective Comics #29 and Detective Comics #31?

 

-Low grade.

-Mid grade.

-High grade.

 

How many copies of each would you guesstimate to still be in existence?

 

The highest CGC-certified copy of Tec #29 is the Allentown 9.6 and the highest unrestored Tec #31 is an 8.0; how much do you estimate the Tec #29 9.6's current FMV to be today and how much would you estimate a Tec #31 would sell for if one existed in the exact same condition?

I consider tec 29 to me more valueable, grade for grade, than tec 31...that said, there is more apparent demand for 31, than 29 (which is a good thing, since there are more copies of 31 in the market than 29, so that kind of evens out)...

 

low grade tec 29 and 31 sell at comparable rates...as do mid grade ...high grade just don't "exist" with sales, so really no way to know... my guess is someone would easily pony up 500K for the allentown 29 if they so desired, and would pay the same for a 9.6 tec 31 if out there...I think in 7.0 both are worth about the same (there is a tec 29 in cgc 7.0 coming up for auction soon, so we will have some more empiracal data soon)...

 

long term, 10 years out, I suspect both will appreciate faster than inflation (thumbs u

 

Thanks for the feedback Rick. (thumbs u

 

Do you know where the 7.0 Tec #29 will be auctioned off (CC, CL, HA...)?

 

Also, how many copies of both Tec #29 and Tec #31 would you estimate to still be in existence?

 

150-250?

 

I've heard that Tec #29's are harder to come by than Tec #27's, has that been the case in your experience?

heritage as jeff pointed out...

 

my guess is there are several hundred tec 29's and maybe 2x that many tec 31's

 

I have owned 12 copies of tec 29 and over 25 copies of tec 31 just in the last 7 years, so that gives a good sampling...figure no way I have owned 5% of all the copies, so that is where my minimal est comes from

[Cat-Man_America]

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS.......

 

GATOR

 

You're the CGC Board Mannup Man-of-the-YEAR!!!!!!

 

 

[AJD]

 

That's oddly hypnotic!

[ComicConnoisseur]

I have yet to add any Timely's to my collection but would like to. What title should I start with,budgeting less than $500 a book. Priority on good stories, then cool covers.

 

Human torch ?

All-Select ?

Kids Comics ?

USA Comics ?

Captain America ?

Young Allies ?

Marvel Mystery ?

Sub-mariner ?

Others ?

 

Also, what is a PLOD ?

You will make the most profit from Cap if you ever decide to sell your collection down the line. Captain America has the most mainstream appeal. Now if your buying just to read them,then screw what I just said,and buy what appeals to you!

[ComicConnoisseur]

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS.......

 

GATOR

 

You're the CGC Board Mannup Man-of-the-YEAR!!!!!!

 

 

+1

[Foolkiller]

I think the discussion regarding restored major keys is very interesting... I just looked at a Batman 1 7.0 (MP). He paid more for it 15 years ago than he could get for it today.

 

So Gator -- do you see that trend continuing?

[G.A.tor]

I think the discussion regarding restored major keys is very interesting... I just looked at a Batman 1 7.0 (MP). He paid more for it 15 years ago than he could get for it today.

 

So Gator -- do you see that trend continuing?

I see the value of restored keys increasing over the next few years as unrestored keys price themselves out of most budgets

 

Even 15 yrs ago restored books were valued differently than in today's cgc environment so its certainly not surprising that a restored key cost more in the 90s than today. That said , valuations will move forward from today as restored keys have "bottomed" out over the past 10 years price wise. I believe the plod stigma will continue to lessen relative to realized prices

[Foolkiller]

I think the discussion regarding restored major keys is very interesting... I just looked at a Batman 1 7.0 (MP). He paid more for it 15 years ago than he could get for it today.

 

So Gator -- do you see that trend continuing?

I see the value of restored keys increasing over the next few years as unrestored keys price themselves out of most budgets

 

Even 15 yrs ago restored books were valued differently than in today's cgc environment so its certainly not surprising that a restored key cost more in the 90s than today. That said , valuations will move forward from today as restored keys have "bottomed" out over the past 10 years price wise. I believe the plod stigma will continue to lessen relative to realized prices

 

Do you believe that's true as a general statement or would you be inclined to believe that the upswing will affect SP/SA more than MP or greater restoration? do you believe the designations of restoration will decrease their collectibility long term?

[G.A.tor]

I think the discussion regarding restored major keys is very interesting... I just looked at a Batman 1 7.0 (MP). He paid more for it 15 years ago than he could get for it today.

 

So Gator -- do you see that trend continuing?

I see the value of restored keys increasing over the next few years as unrestored keys price themselves out of most budgets

 

Even 15 yrs ago restored books were valued differently than in today's cgc environment so its certainly not surprising that a restored key cost more in the 90s than today. That said , valuations will move forward from today as restored keys have "bottomed" out over the past 10 years price wise. I believe the plod stigma will continue to lessen relative to realized prices

 

Do you believe that's true as a general statement or would you be inclined to believe that the upswing will affect SP/SA more than MP or greater restoration? do you believe the designations of restoration will decrease their collectibility long term?

all things being equal, SP is the most desirable of "plods"... especially if it is just a cover cleaned, or minor support/ct etc...so rate of appreciate should be greater (% wise) than an equal book at MP or EP (amateur maybe 10-50% less desirable depending on a myriad of issues)

 

SA to a lessor extent, as typically you cannot safely reverse the resto and be left with a visually similar book...

 

MP will appreciate faster than EP, and so forth...

 

that said, there is an element of folks that still will only be able to afford an EP so I have no problem with stating that market will increase as well...

 

heck, even franken EP books have a market (and with some research, one can generally get an idea of what was done extent wise, to a book)