Recent Pre-Code Purchases 41 41

[comicjack]

On 12/31/2021 at 11:20 AM, Robot Man said:

That could have been me…

My dad took me there in the mid ‘60’s before I could drive. PCH were a buck apiece. ECs were $5-8 each in in the inner room. Later, when I could drive, I made a trip there once a month from Pasadena. I bought stacks of dollar PCH and other books from the boxes in the hall. Still have most of them. 

It was a wonderful area with Cherokee, Collector’s Book Store and best of all, Bond Street Books where I eventually got my More Fun #52 there. 

can we please go back to those days 

[Robot Man]

The "Inner Sanctum" of Cherokee Books. With Burt Blum and early legendary LA collector Rick Durell (wearing tie). 

[Robot Man]

Collector's Book Store

Top photo is of Leonard Brown with a recent probably walk in find.

Bottom photo is Malcom Willitis pulling Bats out of a drawer in the bank vault in back. 

[thewritestuff]

On 12/31/2021 at 12:30 PM, Robot Man said:

The "Inner Sanctum" of Cherokee Books. With Burt Blum and early legendary LA collector Rick Durell (wearing tie). 

This just confirms that I was born in the wrong era! Wow!

[Robot Man]

Newspaper article about Rick Durell. One of the biggest and deep pocketed collectors in LA in the 1960's. He had several copies of all the big keys. It is rumored that when he died, a notable figure in the hobby fleeced his widow out of his collection. 

Funny how books like the first Famous Funnies and first Flash Gordon, Prince Valiant and Tarzan were valued as much as Action #1 back then. 

 

[Funnybooks]

Thanks for sharing these photos and the stories..would love to hear more..

 

[Robot Man]

On 12/31/2021 at 10:14 AM, Funnybooks said:

Thanks for sharing these photos and the stories..would love to hear more..

 

You bet it was a wonderful time to be a budding collector. Long before real "comic book stores" and the internet. I know there are quite a few old time LA collectors who could chime in here. @Tri-ColorBrian @fifties @Yellow Kid @Hap Hazard and probably more...

[The Black Hand ®]

I remember the second floor having a lot of goodies.

[Tri-Color Brian]

On 12/31/2021 at 9:20 AM, Robot Man said:

 

 ECs were $2.50-$8 each in in the inner room.

 

Fixed that for ya. Yer memory is gettin' cloudy.  Have you been talking to the Shadow or something?

[Tri-Color Brian]

On 12/31/2021 at 10:33 AM, Robot Man said:

Collector's Book Store

Top photo is of Leonard Brown with a recent probably walk in find.

Bottom photo is Malcom Willitis pulling Bats out of a drawer in the bank vault in back. 

1st photo is from their original store on Wilcox, 2nd pic is from the old bank they moved into on Hollywood Bl. 

I got thrown out of both stores for being a "kid that always wanted a deal"...  Plus, I never had "big" money to spend...Nobody loves you when you're 13 and poor...

And...they were more expensive than Burt at Cherokee.  They charged me a whole $10 for this Superman...

Edited December 31, 2021 by Tri-ColorBrian

[Tri-Color Brian]

The only ECs I bought at Cherokee were the old Mad comics, but when I discovered the horror and sci-fi issues around 1972 I picked up quite a few from some guy that lived in the Hollywood area in 1973.  I was directed to him by Steve Edrington at Bond Street Books.  About a year later I met a collector that lived in the San Fernando valley.  He sold me this Weird Science for $5 because it was wavy due to moisture damage.  I've flattened it out mostly, but it still could use a good press...

 

 

Edited December 31, 2021 by Tri-ColorBrian

[manetteska]

Thanks to a couple big sales I was able to make some nice additions to the PC this year. 
 

[mstrange]

Just arrived 

 

[MrBedrock]

On 12/30/2021 at 8:10 PM, The Black Hand ® said:

Traded it... to an older, savvier collector...

How is that even possible?

[fifties]

On 12/31/2021 at 11:41 AM, Tri-ColorBrian said:

1st photo is from their original store on Wilcox, 2nd pic is from the old bank they moved into on Hollywood Bl. 

 

When I went there, it was to their second address.  There was another book store a ways west on Hollywood Blvd where I found a few more PCH books.  Having been in the service from '66 to '69, then carousing around bars, getting married, and then a house, I didn't get back into collecting until about '72.  I think Comic Buyers Guide was about the only source back then.  I do remember buying this from a guy in the valley for 4 bucks around '80 or so.

[The Black Hand ®]

On 12/31/2021 at 1:15 PM, MrBedrock said:

How is that even possible?

There can be only one.

[Raze]

These are my last few that I haven't shared. 

[Robot Man]

On 12/30/2021 at 12:43 PM, fifties said:

Not just the cover; IMO it's the best read of the run, ESP "The Running Ghost".  I too have a copy that I've been wanting to upgrade, but don't know if that'll ever happen.  Congrats on that group; I see one issue I don't have.

OK @fifties you inspired me to dig out my whole run for a re-read. This IS a good one. Creepy and gory the way these books should be.

[Robot Man]

But I have to disagree with best issue in the run.

This is a solid contender. Pop is a drunk and forgets to pick up his kid from school and he is run over and killed. Mom had enough with his boozing…

[Robot Man]

I got to nominate this one as the best issue in the run. Used in the Senate hearings. Skeleton electric chair cover.

This issue is just packed with gore. Every story has sick panels.

And to top it off, it has this story. A direct steal of “It ain’t the meat, It’s the Humanity” from Haunt of Fear.

As close to an EC as they come. 

Edited January 2, 2022 by Robot Man