Dealer photos back in the day

[sfcityduck]

I've seen a 1980 WSJ article that said there were 12 copies. I've also seen a Bob Overstreet quote from 1984 where he claims there were less than 30 MC 1s (and admitted he had an Action 1 and told a story about someone who found one at a flea market for $1) so the view of high rarity wasn't limited to Action 1.

 

On the other hand, I've seen articles from the 1960s about Action 1 sales. In 1966, an article about the Library of Congress collection, which included an Action 1, noted a copy had recently sold for $100. So they were out there.

[G.A.tor]

I'm sure I recall photos of the graders with their white gloves on.

 

I was on that first grading committee for Sotheby's - first time I ever worse gloves while handling comics.

Afterwards Jerry made the graders some nice presentation boxes with copies of the catalog, our gloves, a bunch of photos of everyone and the event (all taken by my then-wife) and some other cool stuff about the auction. A very cool and unexpected keepsake from the auction.

 

Here's a couple of photos I have stored online from I think 91. Top is from DragonCon, lower is from San Diego.

 

look at that hair

[VintageComics]

I've seen a 1980 WSJ article that said there were 12 copies. I've also seen a Bob Overstreet quote from 1984 where he claims there were less than 30 MC 1s (and admitted he had an Action 1 and told a story about someone who found one at a flea market for $1) so the view of high rarity wasn't limited to Action 1.

 

On the other hand, I've seen articles from the 1960s about Action 1 sales. In 1966, an article about the Library of Congress collection, which included an Action 1, noted a copy had recently sold for $100. So they were out there.

 

I remember starting a discussion a few years ago about relative rarity of the big books in the past and my impression was that Action #1 was more commonly available than MC #1.

 

 

[jbcomicbox]

Ernie the man

 

Matt the kid

[Joe AllStar]

Jon

 

You must have a ton of pics, you always had a camera around your neck:)

 

Joe

[adamstrange]

But what causes me pause about it is the Action 1 on the table. These days people speak about their being hundreds of Action 1s. But, I used to hear back in the 70s their just weren't very many (I've seen quotes as late 1980 claiming there were only a dozen or so).

 

I've paid attention to this in the fanzines/publications of the 60s/70s era, and this phenomenon has always interested me as well -- as you say, the publications of that era leave you with the impression that there might be a handful in existence at best.

 

You virtually never saw an Action #1 listed for sale in the 60s era fanzines (and I have looked through a bunch). Being fair, you didn't see too many of the other big books listed very often either -- though I did recently run across a 1968 for-trade listing from guy wanting to trade a Detective 27 for a Detective 38 or Submariner 1. Wonder if the fellow ended up regretting that one. But books of that nature were often held back as trade-bait at the time, if they were mentioned as being available at all.

 

 

[Moondog]

From 1994. The keys from the Good Morning America Collection

 

 

 

+1

 

That AF 15 looks shinny!

That's not All that looks shiny

 

(thumbs u

[Moondog]

 

Reading a Golden Age Green Hornet in 1966. This photo was taken for the Joliet Catholic High School's student paper. They did a story on weird freshman with strange hobby...

 

What, no "Fresh Cut Produce" photos?

 

I heard THAT was the place to be for comics.

 

 

 

Fun thread btw.

 

CUT-RATE PRODUCE

[G.A.tor]

From 1994. The keys from the Good Morning America Collection

 

 

 

+1

 

That AF 15 looks shinny!

That's not All that looks shiny

 

(thumbs u

complete admiration, as you know (thumbs u

[Joe AllStar]

Great ad

 

Actually Tom is still around. Not dealing but I will ask him about this.

Back in the day Tom had several collecting buddies and would sometimes represent them.

You may know him from a couple books that came out in recent years. One on Funnyman. Tom also co-wrote the Bob Kane Bio.

[geofan]

I remember Sean's wall of funny books from around 1991...

And best of all picking up up a few of the ones in the picture,

which I'm happy to say that I still own.

 

 

[ciorac]

I have numerous photos from conventions I attended over the years, here a a few from San Diego 1993

 

1. Martin Nodell

2. Gary Carter and I

3. Me and Jon Berk when we were young and fresh as daisies

 

[ciorac]

1. Gary Dolgoff

2. Richard Evans

3. Harley Yee

 

[ciorac]

1. A precursor to what is now called a "Boards Dinner". Shelly and Shirley Moldoff down at the end of the table at dinner with some friends including our own beloved FriscoLarson (Jimmy!)

 

2. Me and John Plauche at a show in Dallas 1994 or 95 I think

 

3. John Fairless at the same show

 

[comicjack]

Those are cool Bill thanks for posting them

[sacentaur]

 

For $175 you could get Detective 1 in mint or Famous Funnies 1 in very fine - tough call.

 

Or both for tree fiddy!

[Rip]

Great photos, I think I might be in the background of one of those.

[Bookery]

Nothing like some of the previous displays, but in the old days even little guys like us came up with some decent stock now and then... I was never much for taking photos, so all I could find were some old polaroids. First is from a 1997 Mid-Ohio show (one of our customers is manning the table). The 2nd I have no idea... some show in the '90s. 3rd photo shows a few of the items from 1992's "Fairborn Collection".

 

 

 

 

[peewee22]

Good stuff !

[RCheli]

 

I remember starting a discussion a few years ago about relative rarity of the big books in the past and my impression was that Action #1 was more commonly available than MC #1.

 

 

I think that there are more MC #1s out there, at least of the second printing. I don't believe that CGC notes the two different editions of it.