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Tecs 1-26 In Grade -- The Quest Is Finally Over

Started by RareHighGrade,

546 posts in this topic

Straw-Man

Straw-Man

Posted
Posted
It took me over 20 years, but I finally did it.

 

As many of my fellow board members know, although I collect a wide range of GA books, my sweet spot has been 1930's pre-hero DCs. And I've always felt that the crown jewel of those early DCs is the Detective Comics 1-26 run. Unlike other books published between 1937 and 1939, which often had humorous or light-hearted covers, the covers of the early Tecs were consistently dark, gritty and pulp-like. And they were drawn by some of the best GA artists, such as Creig Flessel, Leo O'Mealia and Fred Guardineer.

 

I first got interested in the run after seeing many of the Church copies lined up in Gary Carter's booth at the San Diego Comic-Con. I was able to pick up two of the Church copies, but before I could get any others, Danny Kramer swooped in and bought the rest of them in a single purchase in the early 90's.

 

Nevertheless, I made it my primary collecting goal to acquire the entire run in unrestored high grade condition. My initial objective was to collect the run in vf condition or better. But that goal proved to be unattainable because some of the issues do not exist in that grade. Nor did it help that, for many years, most of the Church copies resided with Kramer. I therefore lowered my grade requirement to 6.0. Yet even with this modification, it still took over 20 years to finish the quest.

 

Over the next couple of weeks, I will post the run in sequential order. For those (such as Mr. Zaid) who like such things, here are some of the statistics:

 

18 of the books are pedigrees, 11 of these are Church copies.

17 of the books are in vf- or better grade.

22 of the 26 are CGC graded. Of those, 14 are top of the census.

 

As a final note, I'd like to express special thanks to Jon Berk, without whom this odyssey would never have ended. Jon's gracious generosity allowed me to acquire the last and most elusive book in the run.

 

So, after that long-winded build-up, here is the first issue in the run. Tec #1 (CGC 6.5):

 

a fellow believes-7.5-is-the-bottom-of-high-grade proponent!

 

wonderful accomplishment, sir.

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Timely

Timely

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Congrats Peter, that is awesome! I too remember when Gary & Nick Carter had all those prehero Detectives (along with hundreds of other DC Mile Highs) on their wall. Even back then I was tempted to buy them (as was my dad!), but I stuck with buying the Superhero Mile Highs.

 

So, what was the last book you needed? (shrug) I'm guessing 24, 25 or 26

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RareHighGrade

RareHighGrade

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Congrats, RHG. Feels like we've been alongside you for the final 10 years of your quest. Happy to see you reveal the happy ending. :)

 

So, distribution-wise, how many did you get in the first 10 years and how many in the second 10 years?

Over two-thirds were acquired after the advent of internet auctions. Before that things were brutally tough. Either I couldn't find them or, if I found one, it was restored and/or low grade.

 

A group shot will come at the end, although I'm not sure how I'll be able to fit all 26 into a single shot. As for the most elusive issue, that one will be coming up soon and will be so identified.

 

Thanks to all for the kind congratulatory comments.

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adamstrange

adamstrange

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Congrats Peter, that is awesome! I too remember when Gary & Nick Carter had all those prehero Detectives
The very first Church copies I saw in person were those pre-hero Detectives at San Diego Con. I still remember asking Nick if he would take one down to show me even though I also told him I would not be a buyer. He did and it was one of the most amazing sights this collector had heretofore seen -- a 1937 comic looking like it was printed yesterday. :cloud9:

 

 

Congratulations on completing the set and for letting me re-visit those amazing Church copies on my trips to SD Con. (worship)

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Tsp99

Tsp99

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Congrats! Can't wait to see this run. I've got most of the early ones as well but issues 3,24, and 25 have been super tough for me to find in any kind of decent shape. (shrug)

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BOOT

BOOT

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Congrats on a singular collecting achievement!

 

I was able to pick up two of the Church copies, but before I could get any others, Danny Kramer swooped in and bought the rest of them in a single purchase in the early 90's.

------

11 of these are Church copies.

 

I hope it's not indelicate to ask...how was this transition accomplished?

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Frisco Larson

Frisco Larson

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A truely AWESOME accomplishment sir (worship) As stated earlier, even with no minimum grade, just to assemble an unrestored set is nearly impossible without unlimited funds!! Yeah, save the group shot until the end. I know most folks are on the edge of their seats, but I say you've certainly got the right to unveil this beautiful set any way you see fit and I can't wait to see them :popcorn:

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RareHighGrade

RareHighGrade

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Congrats on a singular collecting achievement!

 

I was able to pick up two of the Church copies, but before I could get any others, Danny Kramer swooped in and bought the rest of them in a single purchase in the early 90's.

------

11 of these are Church copies.

 

I hope it's not indelicate to ask...how was this transition accomplished?

DK began selling off his collection around 8 or 9 years ago. His pre-hero Tecs were sold in one lot to another collector. Over the subsequent years, I was able to get several of them.

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