wondercon report

[jimm94]

Hi Aces,

 

Just PM lighthouse. It was his table.

 

-Jim

[supapimp]

haven't you been reading the thread? that's lighthouse's display, hence the eight copies of TOS 49.

[FFB]

I wouldn't know. I just met him for the first time this weekend. EVERY book on the wall had this notation, however. None of the wall books I saw had any of the Overstreet letter or numerical designations on them.

 

Speaking of nice dealers -- I met Harley Yee this weekend. He is also a very nice guy with some sweet books. But he has the WEIRDEST grading scale I've ever seen! He doesn't use PR-MT. He uses A through H, where H is Mint and A is Poor. 1 means "minus" and 2 means "plus." So a G2 means "NM+," not "Good 2.0" like it does on the CGC label or in the Overstreet Grading Guide.

 

When the heck did he start doing this? I never saw those designations on his book last time I looked over his stock about two years ago, and he lists standard Overstreet grades (NM etc) in his catalog and his ebay auctions.

[Aces]

haven't you been reading the thread? that's lighthouse's display, hence the eight copies of TOS 49.

 

I only looked at the pretty pictures...

 

Lighthouse has been PMed!

[BassGMan]

What an awesome three day weekend. I have gone to the San Diego con for the last 12 years in a row and this was just my second trip to Wondercon. I'll go over the different aspects of the three day weekend from my point of view for anyone that is interested.

 

The "CON":

 

I wasn't expecting San Diego and it was not San Diego. However it was a great con. My goal was not to fill any holes as I am not collecting any runs but I was looking for candidates that I could get slabbed and resell on Ebay. Yes, I am a flipper as well as a collector. The flipping helps me pay for trips to Wondercon, San Diego, etc, as well as to buy books to keep in my "personal collection". I was looking specifically for Bronze Age horror, mostly HOM, HOS, WBN and anything else that just "looked cool" from that era as well as some cheesy Bronze Romance (hey, horror and romance really do make a good combo). Anyway, as far as these books are concerned there was a wide selection of grades and prices. Take a typical HOM in the 210s or 220s. You'd see these books listed at OS values (usually around $20 or so and up) then at the next table over they were at less than OS values and additionally at 25% or 50% off. I bought almost identical copies (including grade) several times, once for $25 and then again at $5. Of course usually I bought the more expensive one first, could not pass up the second. Let's look at one more expensive book as an example: Swamp Thing #1 1972. Heroes was selling a NM copy on the wall for $140. I offered $100 and he took it. 9.2 OS value is $180. Later I purchased a VF copy for $25, OS value at $94. Another dealer had a NM copy on the wall for $250 apparently factoring in the "slabbed value". Prices were all over the place, at least on Silver age and up. This reminds me of a short conversation I had with 4Gemworks at the forum dinner. The cool thing about investing in comics (unlike stocks which can ONLY be purchased at FMV) is that if you are a good shopper you can buy a book at considerably LESS than FMV and then make a substancial profit by selling it elsewehre for considerably OVER FMV (at least acording to OS values). Of course there are exceptions and I am unfamilar with dealing in Gold books, but for Silver and up, I find the investing and profit scenarios outstanding.

So anyway, three days was perhaps one day too much as most of Sunday I spent just wandering aroung TRYING to spend money but having a hard time. I bought practically everything I wanted the first two days but did find an additional couple things on Sunday like a VF set of Night Nurse #1-4 for $75.

Spidey was at the con. Yeah, the "real one" Tobey from the movie. I don't have a great interest in movie stars but thought attending might be a good way to rest my feet a bit. After a short introduction and movie preview they went straight for the questions from the crowd. There were surely many girls attending that only came to the con for one reason: to see Tobey. It was hilarious as these girls asked questions as their voices were quivering and they appeared very nervous. But I got bored quick and left after 30 minutes. Tobey is actually not very interesting. Good Spidey 2 preview though.

 

GIRLS AT THE CON

 

Being used to San Diego, I am always surprised at the number of hot chicks at the con. I don't mean the models and celebrities but I mean the girls that are attendees. San Diego is like a breast-fest with heaving bosoms wherever you go in the con. All over the place. Where do these girls come from? I don't know but they are everywhere and looking very hot. Not true at all for SF and Wondercon. Certainly nothing to look at in the crowds as far as cute chicks. Now don't get me wrong, I don't go to the cons to oggle, but I am just sayin'. Anyway, in San Diego the models and porn stars that set up their little booths are scattered all around and you never know when you'll pass by a comic booth and all of a sudden you are faced with a pair of silicon fun bags popping out in your field of vision. HERE, at Wondercon at least these girls were all congregated in one little area. Porn stars, Playboy chicks, models and so on. All selling their photos, mags and movies. I didn't buy any but I occasionally walked by just for fun. I agree with Supa in that Aria is not "all that". Sure, she has a beautiful face and sexy upper deck, but her hind quarters were not less than very large. Not that there is anything wrong with that if that's what you like. But for me, I don't care for such a large piece of . On the other hand, Lisa Marie Scott is truly petite, very sexy and cute as a well...a hot chick. Lisa certainly is "all that" and more. However, Aria still seemed to get more attention than Lisa. I believe this is because Aria was sitting down behind a table most of the time so that here "best" assets could remain hidden.

 

THE FORUM DINNER

 

Great, totally cool. I had one of the best times at this gathering than I can think of in a long time. What was it, about 18 people or so that showed up? I arrived early and met up with JBud, Garth and Garth's buddy (I can't remember his buddy's name but I think I saw him in the Back To The Future trilogy). Great chatting with these guys. It wasn't for about a half hour before everyone else started showing up. I could tell that Garth was getting pumped. Like a boxer warming up before a title fight. I didn't know if Garth was going to come out fighting or was just all talk at this point. So, everybody else started showing up and Steve B. sat right next to me. OK, primo seating for witnessing what I assumed was going to be a great debate as I knew what Garth was going to bring up. I also knew that FantasyFB was ready to go head to head with Steve as well and I was disappointed that his seating position would not allow him to join in the debate at this time. After the fact, I am glad because too many people ganging up on one person can be a little unfair. Anyway, Garth was certainly NOT "just talk". Garth is very cool, very knowledgable about comics and very aggresive when it comes to a good debate. WOW! Yes, I had a great seat for that one. And let's not forget about Steve, one of the nicest and most diplomatic guys I have ever met, along with being a superb businessman who is certainly not afraid to fully explain why he does what he does whether it is the "popular" answer or not. He did not appear to be overwhelmed by Garth's questioning and also had to face off with Povertyrow at the same time who was sitting on the other side of Steve. Steve, I'm impressed, you handled the inquisition with grace, honestly and integrity even if everyone did not like your answers. And all answers were given with passion and a smile. Very good guys, your discussion provided valuable information for myself and others around I am sure.

After the dinner half of us remained and ventured on over to the bar where FantasyFB could take the second shift in the head-to-head with Steve discussing more of the same issues. By this time most every one had several drinks and the topic was getting old. I didn't listen quite intently but spent more of my time talking to other forum members and Paul from CGC.

By the way, Steve truly is one of the nicest guys. Several times he expressed his concern for me being the only vegetarian in a steak house. I was fine with a salad and baked potato and a few of Garth's onion rings. Anyway, he is truly a considerate and passionate and cool fellow "comic guy" and I felt he was extremely easy to talk to. I only bring this up because many times other people in his type position are not such this way. We appreciate it Steve. But Steve, cut down on that butter will ya'. A half stick of butter on that potato? Go get your cholesterol checked. We need you to stick around through your 80s grading our books. My final coverstaion of the night was with Povertyrow who is quite the musician himself. He plays the sitar. He also could relate to all the differences between playing fretted and fretless bass guitar. Another very nice guy and serious practical joker.

 

I'M THE LONER

 

Well, as far as I could tell at this dinner I was the only one there who was both a customer of CGC and CGG. Since this was really like a dinner for the "CGC Club" I felt kind of like I had cheated by also submitting in the past to CGG. Most of the guys at the dinner were just interested in how my CGG sales did on Ebay and I told them that although CGC brings in higher premiums for similar books, selling CGG slabs surely beats selling raw and the difference in most cases is considerably larger than the cost of the slab. I explained to Steve that had there Economy turnaround been faster (even 40 business days is too long for me let along 3-4 months) that I would then have no reason to submit any books to CGG at all. For me personally, that was the biggest point that I wanted to make about CGC's services.

 

THE PURPLE LABEL

 

What is the purple CGC label? A disease that can spread to other non-restored books. Saturday night Paul Litch was discussing with some of us how he thinks that restored books are so undervalued these days. I agree and that point was made clear the next day. One of the dealers had a "blowout" box with some great deals on a few "used to be hot" comics. In the back of the box was a purple label copy of ASM #35 and #45 both in APP 9.0 with a small amount of color touch. I saw the books on friday with stickers on them for $65 and $60. Since OS would value these books in 9.0 as $234 and $160 or in 8.0 (what they may have been without the small color touch if not 8.5) at $138 and $109, I almost bought them. What a deal! But I passed as it was still early in the con. Well, Sunday came around and these two lonely slabs were still there. But now the box was at 50% off. Now these books (both in brand new looking CGC slabs) were priced at $32.50 and $30. I said, "Yes!" I went to pay for them and the dealer just charged me an even $60. I didn't even ask to make it an even $60 but he was so glad to get rid of these "diseased books" that he just took the $60 and dropped the additional $2.50. Are purple label books despised that much? Do people really think a very lightly color touched book will infect their other books? Whatever the case I figure I got one hell of a deal. I was so excited that I went over to the CGC booth and showed Paul. He agreed that I just received a fantastic deal and pointed out to me what were almost invisible tiny little color touch ups on the books. Hey, any more deals like that and I'll buy them all.

 

Geez, this is my longest post ever. Later on after I go through my books I'll post up my new Bronze horror purchases on the bronze boards. -------Sid

[justiceleaguer]

Power to the Purple.

[BassGMan]

 

Yes I probably had to rummage all weekend for the run of HOM books that were at Heros on Friday, but I got my fair share of high grade HOM and I happen to know who the dealers were that cherry picked the real nice stuff on Thursday, we chatted a bit and some of those books may still be mine in the end.

 

 

Jbud, let me know what issues you are looking for and maybe I can help you complete your run. I may have some that I would be willing to sell plus I already had a very nice stash to begin with. Some I'm keeping to slab, others I can part with pretty easily. Grades vary from about raw 7.0 to about 9.4. ------Sid

[fantastic_four]

In the back of the box was a purple label copy of ASM #35 and #45 both in APP 9.0 with a small amount of color touch.

 

Were they (A) or (P)?

[BassGMan]

In the back of the box was a purple label copy of ASM #35 and #45 both in APP 9.0 with a small amount of color touch.

 

Were they (A) or (P)?

 

One of each, the #35 is the (P). ----Sid

[PovertyRow]

My final coverstaion of the night was with Povertyrow who is quite the musician himself. He plays the sitar. He also could relate to all the differences between playing fretted and fretless bass guitar. Another very nice guy and serious practical joker.

 

Thanks Bass - I have to say after 2 days of the Con and extra-curricular comic talk, finding myself talking music and technique to another musician really freaked me out - a very enjoyable talk! The whole fretted/fretless thing is fascinating to me. What you were saying about the diffs between the two made a lot of sense, since I can do the fretless thing on a fret for 4-5 pitches. Huge diff in dynamics!

[supapimp]

[LordRahl]

I couldn't make a Saturday dinner, buddy of mine was having his 30th birthday party. I was only at the con on Friday. Hope to make it out to either San Diego or Chicago.

[Darthdiesel]

 

I'm impressed with the 6 CGC 9.9 and 2 CGC 10.0 more than his rows of "POS" 49 I should have sent you my copies for another row

[PovertyRow]

I couldn't make a Saturday dinner, buddy of mine was having his 30th birthday party. I was only at the con on Friday. Hope to make it out to either San Diego or Chicago.

 

Lots of us were there Friday and we hooked up for beverages after! You shoulda' been there!

[Darthdiesel]

mr. beerbohm and a ASM Ann 2 in NM-9.2 that FFB bought.

 

You sure redhook didn't just Photoshop a Tide Giveaway?

[Darthdiesel]

Speaking of nice dealers -- I met Harley Yee this weekend. He is also a very nice guy with some sweet books. But he has the WEIRDEST grading scale I've ever seen! He doesn't use PR-MT. He uses A through H, where H is Mint and A is Poor. 1 means "minus" and 2 means "plus." So a G2 means "NM+," not "Good 2.0" like it does on the CGC label or in the Overstreet Grading Guide. Aside from this peculiar way of grading books, Harley's set up was absolutely first rate for a silver and bronze collector like me. He had some nice looking GA stuff too, but I don't collect it and can't judge the quality of his selections for that genre.

 

I anticipate an annoucement coming regarding a "Harley First" line of slabbed Moderns?

[samurai007]

THE PURPLE LABEL

 

What is the purple CGC label? A disease that can spread to other non-restored books. Saturday night Paul Litch was discussing with some of us how he thinks that restored books are so undervalued these days. I agree and that point was made clear the next day. One of the dealers had a "blowout" box with some great deals on a few "used to be hot" comics. In the back of the box was a purple label copy of ASM #35 and #45 both in APP 9.0 with a small amount of color touch. I saw the books on friday with stickers on them for $65 and $60. Since OS would value these books in 9.0 as $234 and $160 or in 8.0 (what they may have been without the small color touch if not 8.5) at $138 and $109, I almost bought them. What a deal! But I passed as it was still early in the con. Well, Sunday came around and these two lonely slabs were still there. But now the box was at 50% off. Now these books (both in brand new looking CGC slabs) were priced at $32.50 and $30. I said, "Yes!" I went to pay for them and the dealer just charged me an even $60. I didn't even ask to make it an even $60 but he was so glad to get rid of these "diseased books" that he just took the $60 and dropped the additional $2.50. Are purple label books despised that much? Do people really think a very lightly color touched book will infect their other books? Whatever the case I figure I got one hell of a deal. I was so excited that I went over to the CGC booth and showed Paul. He agreed that I just received a fantastic deal and pointed out to me what were almost invisible tiny little color touch ups on the books. Hey, any more deals like that and I'll buy them all.

I agree with you. Personally, I don't consider a color touch to be any more "damaging" than an equivalent sized pen mark on the cover. If a book is otherwise VF or higher, but has a 1/8th inch pen mark on the cover, it shouldn't be the "kiss of death". And at VG or Good, I'd actually prefer a small pen mark or 2 to tears, water stains, or other major damage. Why should a printed arrival date not harm the value at all, a random pen mark harm it a little, and a deliberate, careful pen mark harm it the most? It makes no sense to me at all.

 

If I had seem those 2 ASMs for that price, I'd probably have snagged them myself, as long as I was sure the minor color touch was the only restoration.

[BassGMan]

 

I agree with you. Personally, I don't consider a color touch to be any more "damaging" than an equivalent sized pen mark on the cover. If a book is otherwise VF or higher, but has a 1/8th inch pen mark on the cover, it shouldn't be the "kiss of death". And at VG or Good, I'd actually prefer a small pen mark or 2 to tears, water stains, or other major damage. Why should a printed arrival date not harm the value at all, a random pen mark harm it a little, and a deliberate, careful pen mark harm it the most? It makes no sense to me at all.

 

If I had seem those 2 ASMs for that price, I'd probably have snagged them myself, as long as I was sure the minor color touch was the only restoration.

 

I guess the purple label is "deserved" due to the fact that the color touch was deliberate in purposely trying to make the book look better. For that reason I can understand them receiving the purple label. The date stamp or random pen mark were not applied to "help" the book. So my problem in this area is not with CGC. My questioning is for us buyers that avoid restored books like there is something really wrong with them. I agree that I would prefer a color touch any day over most damage. I cannot stand tears and missing chunks are even worse. Give me a color touched book over one of those ANY day. I think the purple label really intensifies the disgust over these books for many collectors. That purple label stands out and advertises "This book is not natural. This book is not a virgin. This book has been tainted." The purple label is The Scarlet Letter of comics. Shame on you for having one. -------Sid

[jbud73]

I have a few PLODs as well, personally am not frustrated by the fact that they are undervalued IMO. It certainly helps to pick up a nice book at a great price. As always their loss is my gain