Comics, Pulps, and Paperbacks: Why such a discrepancy in values? 26 26

[moonpool]

Biggest single purchase was 80 British paperbacks with 8 Heades. Delivery company left the package out in the rain. Fortunately the seller used a whole roll of tape on the outside, so it was essentially waterproof.

[jimjum12]

Here's my White Mountain, the guy has more, but they're pricey and not really "A list" material, although there are some cool ones. He also doesn't combine shipping, nor accept offers. I have two HGs of this book, but the White Mountain is whiter. GOD BLESS ...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

 

Edited July 29 by jimjum12

[Darwination]

A comic scanner showed me a big mixed lot of digests (Archies?! SF digests, Mad and Cracked, etc., BLBs) he thought I might be into and lookee what was hiding in there

The Twice Loved has some creases but is in pretty nice shape.  Glossy and flat.  The other feels like it's been read 50 times. Soon to be 51.  Built solid for sure, but sometimes well-read books hold up that way.  The story in Twice Loved actually looks better (and I'm not saying that just cause I'm a romance hound).  Both seem somewhat adult with noir sort of content, but the art isn't exactly top-tier.

Looks like these are the only two, though the cowboy entry saw another form -

[jimjum12]

I notice that many of you collect an entire Publisher's catalogue. That always made my eyebrow raise a tad... I mean, must be nice to be made out of money, but as I further my investigations, I see possibilities with that approach. My top go to is the circle logo Avon ... but I notice I like a LOT of the Midwood titles, and with the exception of a couple dozen ringers, most are doable in regard to cost. They're smutty but kind of with a wink, almost tasteful, if there is such a thing as tasteful sleaze. GOD BLESS ... 

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

 

[Darwination]

As a newbie, I can't even imagine trying to run down entire catalogs.  Some of the short runs like Red Circle or something like that, sure, but Avons???

I'm honestly overwhelmed at the sheer number of vintage paperbacks - no surprise that some very able fellows have been exploring and indexing them for lifetimes.

Midwood is definitely a publisher you notice time and time again.  They seem to be in such great shape, too.  Ofc that might be because it doesn't appear that many are actually *reading* them

 

[Surfing Alien]

On 7/30/2024 at 1:05 PM, jimjum12 said:

I notice that many of you collect an entire Publisher's catalogue.

Those days are gone. That was collecting in the 80's-90's. They're too expensive overall and so many books in the major runs just aren't worth putting your money into. If you ever hope to get all the cool ones you want you'll want to divert that money to the ones you love. I've openly contemplated some of the smaller runs that are packed with killer titles like Lion and Pyramid, but Pocket or Popular? Even my beloved Avons I wouldn't try for the run. 

[Surfing Alien]

On 7/30/2024 at 1:12 PM, Darwination said:

Midwood is definitely a publisher you notice time and time again.  They seem to be in such great shape, too.  Ofc that might be because it doesn't appear that many are actually *reading* them

This is an anamoly of current prices flushing a few high grade collections into the market. This has not been the case for the last 10 years. You could barely find any Midwoods at all, let alone in high grade.

[Randall Dowling]

On 7/30/2024 at 7:14 PM, Surfing Alien said:

This is an anamoly of current prices flushing a few high grade collections into the market. This has not been the case for the last 10 years. You could barely find any Midwoods at all, let alone in high grade.

My experience as well.  Good to see those books getting the love they deserve. 

[moonpool]

On 7/30/2024 at 1:05 PM, jimjum12 said:

I notice that many of you collect an entire Publisher's catalogue. That always made my eyebrow raise a tad... I mean, must be nice to be made out of money, but as I further my investigations, I see possibilities with that approach. My top go to is the circle logo Avon ... but I notice I like a LOT of the Midwood titles, and with the exception of a couple dozen ringers, most are doable in regard to cost. They're smutty but kind of with a wink, almost tasteful, if there is such a thing as tasteful sleaze. GOD BLESS ... 

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

 

I try to pick a section at a time if I seriously working on a full run,  like Popular 250 to 300.

[Surfing Alien]

On 7/30/2024 at 8:56 PM, moonpool said:

Popular 250 to 300

That a helluva run right there 

 

Edited July 31 by Surfing Alien

[Darwination]

My first Goodis

[Surfing Alien]

 

[johnenock]

On 7/30/2024 at 8:41 PM, Darwination said:

My first Goodis

Been looking into getting some of his titles, but they seem a tic pricier than other authors. Better stories?

[johnenock]

A few nice books just in:

 

[jimjum12]

Here's a couple goodies ... the coolness of a nice GA book at a 10th of the price... or less ... GOD BLESS ...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

 

Edited July 31 by jimjum12

[Darwination]

The Green Fields of Hell - Lou Cameron (1964.Gold Medal k1493) cover John McDermott PBO

Knowing Lou Cameron's excellent comic work in the golden age, I was completely surprised to find out he went on to a career as a novelist with over 300 books to his name.  This is an earlier one.

 

[Darwination]

On 7/31/2024 at 8:19 AM, johnenock said:

Been looking into getting some of his titles, but they seem a tic pricier than other authors. Better stories?

Famous hard-boiled author with something of a cult following.  Did a ton of work (mostly under alias) towards the twilight of the pulps but is mostly remembered for his novels that got turned into movies like Dark Passage and Nightfall.

[johnenock]

Just won these:

Dell No. 1 

Popular Library 1

And a Graphic Mystery

 

[Darwination]

I'd watched that bottom one John, but never hopped in to that batch.  Those top two are "keys," eh?

A beater/reader for my Charles Williams collection.  If it's good, I may track down a collectors copy with the neat Maguire cover.

Gulf Coast Girl - Charles Williams (1955.Dell 898) cover Robert Maguire, released as Scorpion Reef in HC the same year.

Edited August 1 by Darwination

[Surfing Alien]

On 8/1/2024 at 11:58 AM, Darwination said:

If it's good,

It's better than good, one of his best imho. Almost has a supernatural air to it.