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Famous Monsters of Filmland
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Started by EggsAckley,

216 posts in this topic

burntboy

burntboy

Posted
Posted
I've been following that one and the seller's FM #1. The high shipping cost is because the seller is located in Germany.

 

FM #4 with Ghoul's Eye sticker is the second rarest FM next to FM #6 with the MT Graves sticker. On the surface $390 looks really cheap, but I'm wondering about the condition. The covers don't look too bad at first glance, but the spine is pretty rough and there is a coupon clipped out of the bottom back cover. In addition, this copy look wavy, not flat when laying on the table in the photo. The pages appear very yellow and brittle. Also, the cover has a good deal of foxing, especially on the back cover.

 

Despite its rarity, condition is very important. I am not a professional grader, and grading is very subjective. However, there is no way that I would give this mag a Fine / 6.0. I know it's a moot point, but just looking at the pics to me it looks more like a VG- / 3.5. The highest that I would give it is a VG / 4.0. Both grades are listed with a value of $544 in the Nostomania on-line catalogue.

 

Be that as it may, I, personally, prefer issues in better condition. I couldn't live with this one in its present condition.

 

- Mike

 

I'm with Mike on this one. As far as FM 4's go this is actually a pretty decent Front Cover. I've somehow wound up with 3 of these and this would probably be as nice as my best except for the fact that the missing coupon on the back cover is a grade killer for me. i could deal with the one in the interior, but not that BC.

 

Having said that, it is a decent copy of a mighty rare book...

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Batko-migration

Batko-migration

Posted
Posted (edited)
I've been following that one and the seller's FM #1. The high shipping cost is because the seller is located in Germany.

 

FM #4 with Ghoul's Eye sticker is the second rarest FM next to FM #6 with the MT Graves sticker. On the surface $390 looks really cheap, but I'm wondering about the condition. The covers don't look too bad at first glance, but the spine is pretty rough and there is a coupon clipped out of the bottom back cover. In addition, this copy look wavy, not flat when laying on the table in the photo. The pages appear very yellow and brittle. Also, the cover has a good deal of foxing, especially on the back cover.

 

Despite its rarity, condition is very important. I am not a professional grader, and grading is very subjective. However, there is no way that I would give this mag a Fine / 6.0. I know it's a moot point, but just looking at the pics to me it looks more like a VG- / 3.5. The highest that I would give it is a VG / 4.0. Both grades are listed with a value of $544 in the Nostomania on-line catalogue.

 

Be that as it may, I, personally, prefer issues in better condition. I couldn't live with this one in its present condition.

 

- Mike

 

I'm with Mike on this one. As far as FM 4's go this is actually a pretty decent Front Cover. I've somehow wound up with 3 of these and this would probably be as nice as my best except for the fact that the missing coupon on the back cover is a grade killer for me. i could deal with the one in the interior, but not that BC.

 

Having said that, it is a decent copy of a mighty rare book...

 

 

Harry, do you really have three copies of FM #4 with the Ghoul's Eye sticker??? (worship) That has got to be a record for Ghoul's Eye sticker variants in one place! :banana:

 

I only have one regular FM #4 and one Ghoul's Eye variant. I figure if I get any more they may start to fight with each other in the mag collection box! :screwy:

 

Below are the front and back of my regular #4. I'd give it around and VF-/7.5 to VF/8.0. Following those pics are the front and back of my #4 Ghoul's Eye variant. I'd give that one around a F+/6.5 to F+ VF-/7.0.

p><p> <img src=[/img]

 

p><p> <img src=[/img]

 

<a href=eClseSbl.jpg' alt='eClseSbl.jpg'>

 

Edited by Batko
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burntboy

burntboy

Posted
Posted
I've been following that one and the seller's FM #1. The high shipping cost is because the seller is located in Germany.

 

FM #4 with Ghoul's Eye sticker is the second rarest FM next to FM #6 with the MT Graves sticker. On the surface $390 looks really cheap, but I'm wondering about the condition. The covers don't look too bad at first glance, but the spine is pretty rough and there is a coupon clipped out of the bottom back cover. In addition, this copy look wavy, not flat when laying on the table in the photo. The pages appear very yellow and brittle. Also, the cover has a good deal of foxing, especially on the back cover.

 

Despite its rarity, condition is very important. I am not a professional grader, and grading is very subjective. However, there is no way that I would give this mag a Fine / 6.0. I know it's a moot point, but just looking at the pics to me it looks more like a VG- / 3.5. The highest that I would give it is a VG / 4.0. Both grades are listed with a value of $544 in the Nostomania on-line catalogue.

 

Be that as it may, I, personally, prefer issues in better condition. I couldn't live with this one in its present condition.

 

- Mike

 

I'm with Mike on this one. As far as FM 4's go this is actually a pretty decent Front Cover. I've somehow wound up with 3 of these and this would probably be as nice as my best except for the fact that the missing coupon on the back cover is a grade killer for me. i could deal with the one in the interior, but not that BC.

 

Having said that, it is a decent copy of a mighty rare book...

 

 

Harry, do you really have three copies of FM #4 with the Ghoul's Eye sticker??? (worship) That has got to be a record for Ghoul's Eye sticker variants in one place! :banana:

 

I only have one regular FM #4 and one Ghoul's Eye variant. I figure if I get any more they may start to fight with each other in the mag collection box! :screwy:

 

Below are the front and back of my regular #4. I'd give it around and VF-/7.5 to VF/8.0. Following those pics are the front and back of my #4 Ghoul's Eye variant. I'd give that one around a F+/6.5 to F+ VF-/7.0.

p><p> <img src=[/img]

 

p><p> <img src=[/img]

 

:(

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burntboy

burntboy

Posted
Posted
I sent you a PM. If you're looking for some issues in really nice condition check out my FM ##14 (newstand fresh), 7 (WOR-TV variant), and 2.

 

- Mike

 

Hey Mike, was it you who won that gorgeous FM #3 tonight?? I was thinking about pulling the trigger on the sellers counteroffer to me just as I was notified that someone else won it. I know it's your favorite cover and this was really a sweet copy...

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Crowzilla

Crowzilla

Posted
Posted

Mike, what do you think the stamp on the BC of the #1 does to the value?

I see some creasing on the FC in the upper right (one could be a printing defect) and one running down the spine, but it looks like a really clean copy for the price

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Batko-migration

Batko-migration

Posted
Posted (edited)
I sent you a PM. If you're looking for some issues in really nice condition check out my FM ##14 (newstand fresh), 7 (WOR-TV variant), and 2.

 

- Mike

 

Hey Mike, was it you who won that gorgeous FM #3 tonight?? I was thinking about pulling the trigger on the sellers counteroffer to me just as I was notified that someone else won it. I know it's your favorite cover and this was really a sweet copy...

 

No, it wasn't me. I've been watching that one just out of curiosity. I have a really sharp copy of FM #3 in pretty much similar condition.

 

I want to warn you about the seller. In all his descriptions he writes that his mags were personally collected by him and that he only selected the best collector's copies. That may be true for a few of his mags like the FM #3 that just sold and for FM #5 that sold last week (or the FM #1 that is up for auction right now). The really expensive material with a number of different photos seems to have accurate descriptions.

 

Unfortunately, the less expensive material is totally misrepresented. I just sent back 4 less expensive mags ($69-$89 each) to him for refunds. They arrived with split spines repaired with scotch tape and all sorts of problems that did not show in the photos and the seller neglected to mention in his description.

 

I would beware of eBay seller vidman8. He's got alot of FMs up for auction on Buy it Nows. Do NOT believe his description or trust his photos. Before buying email him and ask specific questions or you will be waiting for you money back like I am doing right now!!!

 

- Mike

Edited by Batko
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Batko-migration

Batko-migration

Posted
Posted (edited)
Mike, what do you think the stamp on the BC of the #1 does to the value?

I see some creasing on the FC in the upper right (one could be a printing defect) and one running down the spine, but it looks like a really clean copy for the price

 

I assume that you're referring to the FM #1 being sold by the German seller, "phantastore."

 

Personally, I don't think that the stamp brings down the value or grade much at all. On an old, classic copy of FM I don't think that that type of innocuous stamp bothers CGC much when they are grading, either. If you look closely at the back cover of my FM #4 Ghoul's Eye sticker variant you will see a small handstamp similar to the one on the FM #1 you are talking about.

 

The cover on that copy looks really nice. What I would be worried about is the interior. The seller is not showing any interior pages, and from the way the mag is laying (kind of wavy) I am worried that the interior pages are yellowed and brittle. I have the same concern about the FM #4 that this seller has up for auction.

 

Before bidding I would ask for a few CLEAR pics of the interior pages. If he has nothing to hide he will be happy to post them since there doesn't seem to be much interest in the mag (zero bids as I write this!).

 

- Mike

 

P.S. The handstamp on the back cover is from a bookstore in Santa Monica. It would be interesting to find out how the mag got from California to Germany! ???

Edited by Batko
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Batko-migration

Batko-migration

Posted
Posted
I sent you a PM. If you're looking for some issues in really nice condition check out my FM ##14 (newstand fresh), 7 (WOR-TV variant), and 2.

 

- Mike

 

Hey Mike, was it you who won that gorgeous FM #3 tonight?? I was thinking about pulling the trigger on the sellers counteroffer to me just as I was notified that someone else won it. I know it's your favorite cover and this was really a sweet copy...

 

No, it wasn't me. I've been watching that one just out of curiosity. I have a really sharp copy of FM #3 in pretty much similar condition.

 

I want to warn you about the seller. In all his descriptions he writes that his mags were personally collected by him and that he only selected the best collector's copies. That may be true for a few of his mags like the FM #3 that just sold and for FM #5 that sold last week (or the FM #1 that is up for auction right now). The really expensive material with a number of different photos seems to have accurate descriptions.

 

Unfortunately, the less expensive material is totally misrepresented. I just sent back 4 less expensive mags ($69-$89 each) to him for refunds. They arrived with split spines repaired with scotch tape and all sorts of problems that did not show in the photos and the seller neglected to mention in his description.

 

I would beware of eBay seller vidman8. He's got alot of FMs up for auction on Buy it Nows. Do NOT believe his description or trust his photos. Before buying email him and ask specific questions or you will be waiting for you money back like I am doing right now!!!

 

- Mike

 

I should mention that I was refunded the $319.80 last night for the 4 copies of FM that had problems that were not revealed by the seller in the eBay auction. However, it was an unpleasant experience due to the uncertainty caused by not knowing this seller previously.

 

The four mags are back up for auction at half the previous price (still not worth it due to their condition) with a small notation indicating tape, spine split, or other defect. To be quite frank, I don't really know if this was a deliberate omission of facts or the seller was just clueless as to how to describe his material. I will give him the benefit of the doubt, but do not appreciate the aggravation.

 

- Mike

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Batko-migration

Batko-migration

Posted
Posted (edited)

After vidman8 refunded my money for the 4 returned FMs we started corresponding and I came to the conclusion that he just didn't look over his old material and relied on memory of how the condition was. Whatever the cause, he refunded immediately and seemed to be an OK guy after getting to know him a better.

 

In any case, he had a GORGEOUS copy of FM #1 up for auction. Originally, it was $1199, then he recently dropped it to $999. In the course of our correspondence I learned that he is leaving on an extended trip soon and lowered the price in order to sell the mag before he left. I offered him $850 immediately thinking that he would just decline. To my surprise he emailed me saying he would take $875 shipped and I just could not refuse.

 

Well, I bought it and Fred sent it overnight Fedex in freaking IED proof packing. It literally took me 20 minutes to get the magazine out of this packing that could resist a Hiroshima strength atom bomb.

 

I was worried about what I would find when I finally got to the magazine, but I pulled it out and almost took a dump on the spot! This is the best looking copy of FM #1 that I've seen out there on eBay. That includes the really high priced ones graded in CGC slabs.

 

I viewed it from every angle in bright artificial light and in the natural afternoon light from my balcony, and the covers are smooth, bright, with good gloss. And, they are totally smooth with NO marks or little indentations whatsover. There is no dirt or smudges anywhere. Also, no dings or rubs.

 

The only defect that I could find was a small fold on the top tip of the front cover. The interior pages are off-white, no foxing. Anyway, a picture is worth a thousand words and below are a few that will give you an idea. (I didn't tell my son or our parrot that I spent this kind of dough. They both would think that I'm crazy!)

 

- Mike

 

p><p> <img src=[/img]

 

p><p> <img src=[/img]

 

p><p> <img src=[/img]

 

p><p> <img src=[/img]

Edited by Batko
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427Impaler

427Impaler

Posted
Posted (edited)

That is one beautiful copy! My copy of #1 should be arriving in about a week, absolutely no where near the quality of the one you just scored. Congrats to you!

 

Hey, on a second note, there is issue 3 and 4 on ebay right now that look like very high grade (especialy the 4). Issue 4 has already gone over 500 clams and there is still FIVE days left of bidding! The #3 is over $200.

 

If I hadn't thrown around so much money in the last three months I would be on both of them like white on rice! These are beauties.

Edited by 427Impaler
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Batko-migration

Batko-migration

Posted
Posted
That is one beautiful copy! My copy of #1 should be arriving in about a week, absolutely no where near the quality of the one you just scored. Congrats to you!

 

Hey, on a second note, there is issue 3 and 4 on ebay right now that look like very high grade (especialy the 4). Issue 4 has already gone over 500 clams and there is still FIVE days left of bidding! The #3 is over $200.

 

If I hadn't thrown around so much money in the last three months I would be on both of them like white on rice! These are beauties.

 

Thanks, guys! The FM #4 has my mouth watering, but I'm truly tapped out after the purchase of FM #1.

 

Unless something is not visible, that is the best copy of FM#4 to go up on eBay that I can remember. My #4 is really nice, but this one is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous! I don't think it was ever read. My prediction is that it is going to go for around $1,200 when the auction ends. However, I wouldn't be surprised if it went up to the neighborhood of 2 grand if a couple of bidders started some serious head butting.

 

My #3 is about the same as the one up for auction, maybe better if there is some spine roll that I think I might have detected. Also, the front cover has a "bend" on your right as you look at it. It's also a super copy, but not in the league of FM #4.

 

- Mike

THERE IS NO COMPARISON WHEN LOOKING AT MY #4 SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE ONE UP FOR AUCTION - A 7.5, MAYBE 8.0 AGAINST A 9.4 OR BETTER!

 

MINE

p><p> <img src=[/img]

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Batko-migration

Batko-migration

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Posted

FM #4 GOES FOR $910 (worship)

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1959-Famous-Monsters-of-Filmland-4-Rare-Movie-Monster-Magazine-/190855699951?autorefresh=true&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=0kTOCOSt7foycRxuieeyEyqsYos%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_6857wt_966

 

FM #3 GOES FOR $690 :news:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1959-Famous-Monsters-of-Filmland-3-Rare-Movie-Monster-Magazine-/190855692602?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=0kTOCOSt7foycRxuieeyEyqsYos%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_7412wt_966

 

I have to admit that I was a little surprised that the FM 4 did not sell higher. I wish I had some extra cash available - $910 was a really good price. I figured that it wouldn't go for less than $1,200. Congrats to the winner! Was it one of our forum members??? (shrug)

 

FM #3 sold for about what I had figured. I thought it might hit around $750-800. Did one of ours win this one??? ???

 

- Mike

 

 

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427Impaler

427Impaler

Posted
Posted

I was on the #4 up to 900.00. Sniped in the last millisecond! Congrats to whomever won the auction, that is probably the sweetest #4 for a long time.

 

Seems like FMs are really getting hot....

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Batko-migration

Batko-migration

Posted
Posted (edited)
I was on the #4 up to 900.00. Sniped in the last millisecond! Congrats to whomever won the auction, that is probably the sweetest #4 for a long time.

 

Seems like FMs are really getting hot....

 

You gotta be kidding!!! That's a crying shame. :cry:

 

I was watching it and it was $800 going into today. Going into the last two minutes it was $820 (if I remember correctly). If I had the bucks I would have throw down a personal high bid of $1,200 at that point. You may not have got sniped for that amount. Even if you paid $1,500 for that copy it would have been a good buy.

 

Anyway, my hindsight is 20/20 and I don't want to make you feel bad. I was just hoping one of us won it so we could see some personal pics. As you know, I'm not a CGC slabber collector, but I know one of you guys would have sent it to CGC. I am really curious to know what the CGC grade would have been.

Edited by Batko
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