Boba Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Waiting on another cheap-thrill book I snagged off eBay, which I'll post as soon as I get it and scan it. There's very little "cheap" books in the showcase run, especially if you're particular about the grade (I like to shoot for a 6 for earlier keys and 7 +/- for everything else. That keeps the prices under the stratosphere for the most part. In fact some books are so not appreciated in these middle-grades that I can (usually) buy them for a pretty reasonable price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boba Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 I was thinking, back when I collected runs of DC (and Marvel too) I only ever bothered to acquire the 3 Showcases the character was introduce in, and I kept those issues with the individual sets. it's very challenging to complete a run of just Showcases. And I though, it's all downhill once I get the key appearances (4,, 6, 8, 9, 17, 22, 34 and 30. Well, it's not that simple, but it is also very rewarding since there is so much variety in the series. Even with the third-string characters like Space Ranger, Rip Hunter, Cave Carson and Tommy Tomorrow, so many of them have delightful covers. I copied this quote off a old Heritage auction listing of Showcase #1 - I just thought folks here might find it interesting. "A note to readers inside the issue calls this "the most novel idea ever seen in the comic book publishing industry" and implies that the ideas for the series all came from young readers' letters. Editor Julius Schwartz once explained the business perspective: "The principle behind Showcase was simple. In those days, all magazines were sold on the newsstands and it took several months before you found out whether a magazine was a success or not. If it was a failure, you'd lose a lot of money. So the idea was to try new features in Showcase, wait five or six months to see how it was doing, and if it sold well, we could put it out again in its own title." Note that no issue number appears on the cover, as newsdealers were skeptical of a #1 issue then, in stark contrast to the present day. John Prentice is the issue's cover artist." My copy of SC #1 is on the first page and post of this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I am Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Very cool info, Boba. I feel the same as you about the set. It truly is an eclectic mix of stories and art from issue 1 to 104. I am thoroughly enjoying the pursuit. One day, when I finish the set, I plan on doing a group shot. I know it's gonna take a while, since some of the books rarely come into the light above 5.0 grade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boba Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Well a little different kind of post, but Showcase related just the same. Did anyone spot the Showcase #17 on eBay described as a 4.5/5.0, Page Quality: Off White/White tracking at $1625 with 2 days left? http://www.ebay.com/itm/390816257284?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I just sold a graded copy in 5.0 CR/OW for $600 on C-link What the heck is so special about this book that it's gotten bids in many multiples of guide value - 4.0 $408 6.0 $612. What am I missing here? Did they announce an Adam Strange movie last night? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I am Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Lots of creases to attempt to press out and pray would be my best guess. The bad thing is the pictures given are not that good to determine the possibilities of upgrading the book's condition prior to CGC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boba Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Lots of creases to attempt to press out and pray would be my best guess. The bad thing is the pictures given are not that good to determine the possibilities of upgrading the book's condition prior to CGC. I've owned a few of these over the past 3 years, and IMHO that book is no better than a 5.0. You could probably buy a graded CGC 6.5 for that money. But hey, more power to the seller I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boba Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Waiting on another cheap-thrill book I snagged off eBay, which I'll post as soon as I get it and scan it. There's very little "cheap" books in the showcase run, especially if you're particular about the grade (I like to shoot for a 6 for earlier keys and 7 +/- for everything else. That keeps the prices under the stratosphere for the most part. In fact some books are so not appreciated in these middle-grades that I can (usually) buy them for a pretty reasonable price. Just got this in: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze johnny Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Well a little different kind of post, but Showcase related just the same. Did anyone spot the Showcase #17 on eBay described as a 4.5/5.0, Page Quality: Off White/White tracking at $1625 with 2 days left? http://www.ebay.com/itm/390816257284?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I just sold a graded copy in 5.0 CR/OW for $600 on C-link What the heck is so special about this book that it's gotten bids in many multiples of guide value - 4.0 $408 6.0 $612. What am I missing here? Did they announce an Adam Strange movie last night? Take a look at the bidding history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I am Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Well a little different kind of post, but Showcase related just the same. Did anyone spot the Showcase #17 on eBay described as a 4.5/5.0, Page Quality: Off White/White tracking at $1625 with 2 days left? http://www.ebay.com/itm/390816257284?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT I just sold a graded copy in 5.0 CR/OW for $600 on C-link What the heck is so special about this book that it's gotten bids in many multiples of guide value - 4.0 $408 6.0 $612. What am I missing here? Did they announce an Adam Strange movie last night? Take a look at the bidding history. That is odd. Almost looks like a hijacked account, or drunk bidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boba Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Let's get back to showing our books - sorry if I hijacked the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roulette44 Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 (tsk) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I am Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 I'm coming to the ATL for the Wizard World Con at the end of May. You gonna be there Joey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boba Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 (edited) Filled a few holes in my set - the 1st Space Ranger and 1st Rip Hunter Time Master and the only issue with Dr No! Also added one more cheap thrill Tommy Tomorow! Edited May 4, 2014 by Boba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR.X Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 That 20 is a tough one in decent grade. Great looking copy. Filled a few holes in my set - the 1st Space Ranger and 1st Rip Hunter Time Master and the only issue with Dr No! Also added one more cheap thrill Tommy Tomorow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boba Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 Thanks (thumbs u I sold a "Good" copy I had thinking I'd find an upgrade no sweat! Well, I was sweating it out until this one came along! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I am Posted April 30, 2014 Share Posted April 30, 2014 Nice books, Boba. To complete this set, it is a full-time exercise in patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roulette44 Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 I'm coming to the ATL for the Wizard World Con at the end of May. You gonna be there Joey? Yeah, i'm hoping to be there, we'll connect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I am Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 I just reached the halfway point in my set with 52 / 104 books. Still lots of keys to get and other rare books in grade to keep my radar active for quite a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boba Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share Posted May 6, 2014 I have a few raw Showcases to get graded and hopes I'll snag one or two (graded) more and soon be over the halfway hump myself. Sure is quiet around these parts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I am Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Right now there are 3 of the 6 registry copies of SC 34 in a 9.0 grade on Ebay. One of them is a fake listing, because I own this book. Buyer beware! http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHOWCASE-34-1961-CGC-VF-NM-9-0-WHITE-Pg-ORIGIN-SILVER-AGE-ATOM-JEAN-LORING-/390493541193?pt=US_Comic_Books&hash=item5aeb3a9349 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
