Comics, Pulps, and Paperbacks: Why such a discrepancy in values? 25 25

[Surfing Alien]

On 1/5/2024 at 7:39 PM, Surfing Alien said:

As a big RSG aficionado, I thought this was interesting

https://comics.ha.com/itm/books/vintage-paperbacks/reform-school-girl-nn-reprint-edition-diversey-1948-cgc-vg-35-cream-to-off-white-pages/p/40254-16001.s?ic4=OtherResults-SampleItem-071515&tab=ArchiveSearchResults-012417#40254-16001

I'm pretty sure it's the copy Dale Roberts had on his website recently that jimjum pointed out here, the rust on the staples looks the same iirc, although I did not save a scan of the book when it was for sale.

I've thought about sending my copies in for some time, just because, but have never liked the look of the giant case with the digest sized mags they slab. Seeing it now kind of reinforces that feeling. If they produced a smaller sized slab for the digests I'd be much more inclined to get a bunch of mine slabbed.

The large slabs for digests was already a known issue but what I'm really not thrilled with is the labeling and wanted to see what y'all thought.  Two things bug me, the most egregious is the prominent labeling of it as "Reprint Edition" - although this is technically correct, since it reprints an earlier hardcover edition (which was titled "House of Fury"), I think that nomer calls into question it's originality/authenticity, as if it were a later reprint of the rare digest it is (like the fairly recent "journal" with the RSG cover reprinted on it that can be found for sale around the web). I think it should be described as the First Paperback edition, since that is also technically accurate and doesn't have the negative connotation of calling it a reprint, and also leaves the door open for the small Avon "House of Fury" edition and the later Berkley HOF edition to be called the 2nd and 3rd paperback editions.

The other thing is the notation that it was "distributed with page 2 removed by the publisher", which, again is technically accurate, but how would they label copies like mine and @Robot Man's that have the letters page intact? Not sure how they would handle that other than to indicate "distributed with page 2 intact by the publisher" - although neither of those declarations makes it clear that there are two states with one even rarer than the other.

All that aside, it will be interesting to see where it ends up. The hype in the listing is hilarious and blatantly false, as you can see 5 previous copies listed in their past auction history. Still infinitely less than the dozens of sales of the later comic book that swiped the cover. I'm not a fan of the staple rust but it's pretty nice otherwise for a 3.5, the central image is clear and bright. I'm pretty sure both of mine would garner 6.0 or north thereof, likewise for Robot Man's copy, although I've only seen front cover scans of his. Anyway, it was fun to see what RSG looks like in a slab!

Went to check how the slabbed RSG was doing and saw it had been pulled from the auction. Wonder what happened?

[Surfing Alien]

On 2/6/2024 at 8:18 PM, Surfing Alien said:

Went to check how the slabbed RSG was doing and saw it had been pulled from the auction. Wonder what happened?

Actually, never mind, looks like it was moved to the February 18-20 Auction   They did change the description to remove the claim that it was the first copy they ever sold. Wonder if a birdy is reading these boards

Edited February 7 by Surfing Alien

[Randall Dowling]

On 2/6/2024 at 7:23 PM, Surfing Alien said:

Actually, never mind, looks like it was moved to the February 18-20 Auction   They did change the description to remove the claim that it was the first copy they ever sold. Wonder if a birdy is reading these boards

Rick is pretty active here.  And he's a man of excellent tastes.

[N e r V]

On 2/6/2024 at 5:47 PM, Randall Dowling said:

Rick is pretty active here.  And he's a man of excellent tastes.

Yes and a pain in the a-s-s when bidding against on romance and Peanuts comics. 

[Warlord]

On 2/6/2024 at 5:31 PM, alecholland said:

I'm curious about this as well. I have several paperbacks that have stickers on them. My LCS used lighter fluid to remove the sticker from a paperback I bought from them, but I'm pretty sure that's a no no. 

This will do the trick.  Test it on a teeny tiny spot first - there are some inks/finishes where it is possible that it will remove color.  After determining it's color safe, you'll still want to be very gentle.  Do more dabbing rather than rubbing/wiping.

Also, use in a well ventilated space to avoid inhaling the fumes!

 

 

 

[moonpool]

Meanwhile, Heade rebagging drags on...

[Randall Dowling]

On 2/6/2024 at 9:24 PM, moonpool said:

Meanwhile, Heade rebagging drags on...

Man!  Another Heade I've never seen before.  Thanks for sharing, sir! 

[johnenock]

My first Ace Double:

 

[alecholland]

New additions to the Sci-fi paperback collection. 

[Surfing Alien]

On 2/8/2024 at 11:36 AM, johnenock said:

My first Ace Double:

 

It won't be your last 

[Surfing Alien]

On 2/8/2024 at 1:23 PM, alecholland said:

New additions to the Sci-fi paperback collection. 

Those are gorgeous. Nice copies of Fahrenheit 451 have really dried up in the market and that one looks minty 

[Surfing Alien]

So, it's official, I booked flights and hotel room for the LA Vintage Paperback show on Sunday March 17th at the Glendale Civic Auditorium

https://la-vintage-paperback-show.com/

It's one of those things I've wanted to go to for several years now, due to Robot Man's reviews, my own curiosity about a somewhat legendary paperback event and the stars aligning this year both time and money-wise that I can swing it.

I'd love to meet any West Coast Boardies who might attend such a thing so figured I'd make a post. I'm going to actually make a separate thread in the Pulp section to keep it from getting lost in the sauce in this one but, as this is the PB nerve center in my eyes, I figured I'd let y'all here know first.

 

[alecholland]

On 2/8/2024 at 5:34 PM, Surfing Alien said:

So, it's official, I booked flights and hotel room for the LA Vintage Paperback show on Sunday March 17th at the Glendale Civic Auditorium

https://la-vintage-paperback-show.com/

It's one of those things I've wanted to go to for several years now, due to Robot Man's reviews, my own curiosity about a somewhat legendary paperback event and the stars aligning this year both time and money-wise that I can swing it.

I'd love to meet any West Coast Boardies who might attend such a thing so figured I'd make a post. I'm going to actually make a separate thread in the Pulp section to keep it from getting lost in the sauce in this one but, as this is the PB nerve center in my eyes, I figured I'd let y'all here know first.

 

Congrats! I would love to go at some point in the future. If it's allowed, please take a few photos. It would be awesome to see some of the sellers booths.

[jimjum12]

On 2/8/2024 at 6:34 PM, Surfing Alien said:

So, it's official, I booked flights and hotel room for the LA Vintage Paperback show on Sunday March 17th at the Glendale Civic Auditorium

https://la-vintage-paperback-show.com/

It's one of those things I've wanted to go to for several years now, due to Robot Man's reviews, my own curiosity about a somewhat legendary paperback event and the stars aligning this year both time and money-wise that I can swing it.

I'd love to meet any West Coast Boardies who might attend such a thing so figured I'd make a post. I'm going to actually make a separate thread in the Pulp section to keep it from getting lost in the sauce in this one but, as this is the PB nerve center in my eyes, I figured I'd let y'all here know first.

 

You should also start a thread in the Events Forum with a link to the website. GOD BLESS ...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

[Surfing Alien]

On 2/9/2024 at 7:33 AM, jimjum12 said:

You should also start a thread in the Events Forum with a link to the website. GOD BLESS ...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

Thanks Jim, my thought is that there's more people who would actually care and/or attend who peruse the pulp section. Am I wrong? Do both?

[jimjum12]

On 2/9/2024 at 8:14 AM, Surfing Alien said:

Do both?

GOD BLESS ....

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

 

...You may catch the eye of a comic collector on the west coast with nothing to do that weekend, if you also do the Event section. You may even cull a few neophytes from the herd.  

[jimjum12]

On 2/8/2024 at 6:56 PM, alecholland said:

Congrats! I would love to go at some point in the future. If it's allowed, please take a few photos. It would be awesome to see some of the sellers booths.

I would love that ... I'm picky with condition and PB's are like comics with grading, some mail order folks just don't "get it", so seeing the goods in person would appeal to me. For example, that "More Than Human" is a favorite of mine and has eluded me in the grade you have. It's out there in VG+, but there are many online who will list those at Fine. Finally got a fineish copy, but I want a sweet one like yours. Those 50's Sci-Fi books look nice in grade. GOD BLESS...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

[Surfing Alien]

On 2/9/2024 at 1:17 PM, jimjum12 said:

I would love that ... I'm picky with condition and PB's are like comics with grading, some mail order folks just don't "get it", so seeing the goods in person would appeal to me. For example, that "More Than Human" is a favorite of mine and has eluded me in the grade you have. It's out there in VG+, but there are many online who will list those at Fine. Finally got a fineish copy, but I want a sweet one like yours. Those 50's Sci-Fi books look nice in grade. GOD BLESS...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

Online buying and selling is soooo hit or miss. One of the "services" I guess I provide as a seller on the boards is a " filter" for all the c*r*a*p  I've bought online that looked high grade but weren't described or pictured right   I use comic terms and VF is about my highest grade. That's a real sharp book with very minor flaws.

I find the old bookman's terms of Good- Very Good-Fine completely useless for pbs and think they should be roundly kicked to the curb by the hobby as happened with comics eventually but there's no corralling the interwebs into that without more hobby centralization. People use terms like "acceptable" and "mint" and everything in between with no regard.

 That "More Than Human" is pretty but I have to say I almost fell on the floor when I saw his "Fahrenheit 451" - even with the dark cover inks that looks VF/NM maybe NM to me from the front. If the spine and back are similar it's very rare like that. Better than mine and a real treasure. I don't even know what kind of a price tag I'd put on that for sale as it's such a sought after author/title. A great find wherever you got it from Erich!

Edited February 9 by Surfing Alien

[Pat Calhoun]

yes this is THE PB thread on the forum: nuff said. More Than Human is a beautiful beyond-masterpiece SF cornerstone classic, and I'm also a huge fan of The Dreaming Jewels. One of the rare occasions I've had a book signed, but when I saw him at a con while holding the book in my hand it seemed to flow through our charming hello. His Q-arrow stands for 'ask the next question'. I also have the hardcover under the original title...

[OtherEric]

On 2/9/2024 at 1:06 PM, Pat Calhoun said:

yes this is THE PB thread on the forum: nuff said. More Than Human is a beautiful beyond-masterpiece SF cornerstone classic, and I'm also a huge fan of The Dreaming Jewels. One of the rare occasions I've had a book signed, but when I saw him at a con while holding the book in my hand it seemed to flow through our charming hello. His Q-arrow stands for 'ask the next question'. I also have the hardcover under the original title...

The only version I have: