According to Doug's 2005 overstreet market report.....

[jimm94]

I think the usefulness of guide prices really depends on what arena you play in as a collector. To me OPG is still the Bible - not because I believe the prices are gospel, but because I think it still provides an excellent point of reference for most silver age books up to 9.2. I am also a big advocate of GPA and use it in conjunction with OPG as a second opinion even when buying raw.

 

For a 9.4 and up collector, or when it comes to keys and "hot" issues or titles, OPG obviously loses some validity, but it's still a good tool for determining what multiple of guide the seller is trying to command. Overstreet Price Review is cool too, but I think GPA wins out in this market segment due to its' ability to provide such a vast amount of data.

 

EDIT - I can't vouch for the usefulness of OPG for books that fall beyond the scope of my collecting preferences.

[Norrin_Radd]

With the OSPG getting larger every year, do you think there there come a time when it gets broken up into more than one book?

 

In other words, Platinum, Gold, Silver in one book, and Bronze, Copper, Modern in another. With commentary on each respective age in both books.

 

I wouldn't mind that, get the Platinum and Gold outta my price guide. Probably won't happen though. At some point decisions are made, I'm sure, what books to cut out to make space because its obvious they aren't worth jack and never will be.

 

The trend seems to be towards including EVERY comic book ever published, which is why the guide is getting quite big. Thus my question. If this trend continues, I think they will eventually need to break up the book to make it more manageable, in a manner similar to what I suggested. However, I'm sure there will be ALOT of resistance.

 

Any thoughts?

[ArnoldTBlumberg]

The notion of breaking the book up into volumes has certainly been discussed before, if only in casual conversation about the possibility. Realistically I still think we're a long way from any actual planning along those lines, and there are practical business concerns that go along with doing anything like that. I think the book will remain as it is for the foreseeable future.

 

Arnold

[garthgantu]

I wouldn't mind that, get the Platinum and Gold outta my price guide. Probably won't happen though. At some point decisions are made, I'm sure, what books to cut out to make space because its obvious they aren't worth jack and never will be.

 

Good idea - and while we're at it, let's have all future books on the history of baseball start with the 1973 season and the advent of the designated hitter...everything previous to that is ancient news, right?

 

Oh, and let's have all U.S. history books begin with the bombing of Pearl Harbor... I mean, how many people still alive can actually remember anything from before Pearl Harbor? It's just a waste of paper, I tellya!

 

[Norrin_Radd]

I wouldn't mind that, get the Platinum and Gold outta my price guide. Probably won't happen though. At some point decisions are made, I'm sure, what books to cut out to make space because its obvious they aren't worth jack and never will be.

 

Good idea - and while we're at it, let's have all future books on the history of baseball start with the 1973 season and the advent of the designated hitter...everything previous to that is ancient news, right?

 

Oh, and let's have all U.S. history books begin with the bombing of Pearl Harbor... I mean, how many people still alive can actually remember anything from before Pearl Harbor? It's just a waste of paper, I tellya!

 

 

My point was to include everything!

But including every comic will mean a book that will eventually weigh 10 pounds!

 

Plus, this way you could have more editorials and reviews about each age. Collectors only interested in GA/SA could purchase Book 1 and those interested in newer comics BA/MA could buy Book 2. I imagine most (like me) would buy both.

[Norrin_Radd]

The notion of breaking the book up into volumes has certainly been discussed before, if only in casual conversation about the possibility. Realistically I still think we're a long way from any actual planning along those lines, and there are practical business concerns that go along with doing anything like that. I think the book will remain as it is for the foreseeable future.

 

Arnold

 

Thank you for addressing my question, Arnold.

 

I figure it will be quite some time before anything like that would happen. It would mean twice as much work.

[mrwoogieman]

"People still use the guide for valuation?"

 

Isn't OldGuy cute sometimes?

 

 

Arnold

 

I would run full speed in the other direction at the sight of a seller using Overstreet to price VIRTUALLY ANY Dell/Gold Key/Charlton comic at Fine or below. All those Barks books that are listed at $10 to $40 in VG will get you $2-5 tops. If the price in VG is listed at $8 or less (or even higher), that's a buck or less real-world. Same goes for a VAST MAJORITY of DC and Marvels from the sixties below Fine.

 

So, in that regard, Overstreet is fairly useless to me.

 

Whatever the 'formula' OS uses to arrive at low to mid-grade prices on these books needs to be radically adjusted if reflecting reality is the goal. I would propose something like this:

 

G VG F VF NM-

 

8 16 35 80 150 (old pricing)

 

1 2 10 50 100 (reality pricing)

 

I buy a lot of comics from former collectors and many, many times I have seen their disappointment first-hand when the actual value of their collection turns out to be about one-fifth (or less) of its 'book value'. I'm not talking about what a dealer will give them for it, I'm talking about what they would get selling their books to collectors.

 

 

So, since low-grade comics make up, oh, about 90% of all back issues, that means that with respect to the vast majority of books for sale in the hobby, Overstreet is useless.

 

Sorry Arnold but that's the way I see it. However, that doesn't stop me from buying a new one every year so it's not completely useless, I guess.

[read_em-migration]

I was asked to be one to help contribute to the OCPR. If there were referrals involved, I don't know about it as I was not told about them nor did I seek any out. My interest and sales knowledge of the "hot comics" helped as no one of the advisors at the time had paid attention to this segment of the market. Lately, I've been contributing data on Marvel price variants. I turn in my sales data every year and a market report. It is voluntary and I'm not paid or given special consideration. I don't wear "OS advisor" as a name tag and lord it over people or use it to give any weight on my opinion. When I first came on these boards, I didn't think that OS gave the proper attention to modern books and that Wizard was actually closer to the mark (though often overshot it with their hype) when pricing hot new books and variants, etc. The OCPR is soemthing that takes care of this and has been an effective tool for dealers and collectors alike.

 

But this is old news? Why harp on it, as it seems to bother you so much that a "speculating variant collector" like me could ever become an OS advisor? We all know you think I have nothing to contribute anyway...

 

I didn't use the "svc" phrase in my post, but I was wondering how someone who used to bash Overstreet became an Advisor. Thank you for responding with info I did not know. I understand that my use of the term "bash" can also be interchanged with the term "constructive criticism" (although that was not the tone of your posts), and I'm sure that's what interested the Overstreet people for the OCPR. I guess you can learn a lot from your detractors, eh?

 

I also didn't know you were "just" an OCPR Advisor, and that does make a difference. I guess in the overall sense you are an "OA", but the distinction is there.

 

So someone just called/emailed you and asked you to be an OA? Did you know this person previously, or was it out of the blue? Had this person read your postings or bought something from you? I'm just wondering how you came to their attention, why you were selected, etc. Was it just your willingness to do the legwork that caught Overstreet's attention?

And I would ask this question not just of you, but of any Overstreet Advisors that post here. Or maybe Arnold can tell us how OAs are selected?

[garthgantu]

 

My point was to include everything!

But including every comic will mean a book that will eventually weigh 10 pounds!

 

Okay, now I'm starting to get it... the Overstreet Price Guide itself is a semi-portable amateur pressing device ! I think that'd sell like hotcakes

[Norrin_Radd]

 

My point was to include everything!

But including every comic will mean a book that will eventually weigh 10 pounds!

 

Okay, now I'm starting to get it... the Overstreet Price Guide itself is a semi-portable amateur pressing device ! I think that'd sell like hotcakes

 

There you go.

[BassGMan]

"People still use the guide for valuation?"

 

Isn't OldGuy cute sometimes?

 

 

Arnold

 

I would run full speed in the other direction at the sight of a seller using Overstreet to price VIRTUALLY ANY Dell/Gold Key/Charlton comic at Fine or below. All those Barks books that are listed at $10 to $40 in VG will get you $2-5 tops. If the price in VG is listed at $8 or less (or even higher), that's a buck or less real-world. Same goes for a VAST MAJORITY of DC and Marvels from the sixties below Fine.

 

So, in that regard, Overstreet is fairly useless to me.

 

Whatever the 'formula' OS uses to arrive at low to mid-grade prices on these books needs to be radically adjusted if reflecting reality is the goal. I would propose something like this:

 

G VG F VF NM-

 

8 16 35 80 150 (old pricing)

 

1 2 10 50 100 (reality pricing)

 

I buy a lot of comics from former collectors and many, many times I have seen their disappointment first-hand when the actual value of their collection turns out to be about one-fifth (or less) of its 'book value'. I'm not talking about what a dealer will give them for it, I'm talking about what they would get selling their books to collectors.

 

 

So, since low-grade comics make up, oh, about 90% of all back issues, that means that with respect to the vast majority of books for sale in the hobby, Overstreet is useless.

 

Sorry Arnold but that's the way I see it. However, that doesn't stop me from buying a new one every year so it's not completely useless, I guess.

 

Woogie, I have to agree with you mostly on this. Although I may not agree with your formula exactly, it does reflect reality more than the "old pricing" as shown in your comparison, especially when considering online sales together with convention/in person sales. Of course there are always exceptions though.

[DKB]

I wouldn't mind that, get the Platinum and Gold outta my price guide. Probably won't happen though. At some point decisions are made, I'm sure, what books to cut out to make space because its obvious they aren't worth jack and never will be.

 

Good idea - and while we're at it, let's have all future books on the history of baseball start with the 1973 season and the advent of the designated hitter...everything previous to that is ancient news, right?

 

Oh, and let's have all U.S. history books begin with the bombing of Pearl Harbor... I mean, how many people still alive can actually remember anything from before Pearl Harbor? It's just a waste of paper, I tellya!

 

 

Thanks for making my point for me. There are plenty of history books that start with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. There are plenty of history books period and they start all over the place. There is one price guide and it covers everything. The idea was to break some ages out into seperate guides. I wouldn't mind that if it meant my guide was $5 cheaper.

[Mushroom]

Buy wizard then...........OS is a reference book. If your a batman collector you can trace the history of characters from day one. Using your argument you would have to flip between books. If you run across a book you have never seen before then you can use OS for research. It is irrelevant whether a book is $1 or a $1000.

 

Still don't understand why Jello-Man is not in the promo section?

[garthgantu]

Thanks for making my point for me. There are plenty of history books that start with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. There are plenty of history books period and they start all over the place. There is one price guide and it covers everything. The idea was to break some ages out into seperate guides. I wouldn't mind that if it meant my guide was $5 cheaper.

 

Right, well, you might save $5, but many of us would be forced to spend more money on multiple books, and would no longer have one single, comprehensive guide to comics throughout the ages.

 

I'm in favor of expanding the guide's "coverage" in terms of ages. the Addition of the Victorian Age section was a great move, and fascinating to read. The Platinum Age is invaluable as a source of the origins of the comic book as we know it today.

 

Those who ignore history do so at their own peril. I understand if you're only interested in SA and up...but someday you might want to know when The Joker true first appearance, or cover appearance, occured... with your book you'd be outta luck

[Darthdiesel]

I didn't use the "svc" phrase in my post, but I was wondering how someone who used to bash Overstreet became an Advisor. Thank you for responding with info I did not know. I understand that my use of the term "bash" can also be interchanged with the term "constructive criticism" (although that was not the tone of your posts), and I'm sure that's what interested the Overstreet people for the OCPR. I guess you can learn a lot from your detractors, eh?

 

I understand that my past posts may have been a bit overboard on the topic ("Wizard Rules!", anyone? )but, maybe my rantings about pricing not being accurate for moderns were closer than I thought? I've also come to be informed from posts here on the board that swinging the OS guide prices to mirror a volatile market (ie hot moderns and prices on RRPs, limited distribution editions, etc) would not do well for the stability of the comic book market or the reputation and integrity of the OS guide. While I may still not wholeheartedly agree with this approach, I can see the sense in it and understand why things are the way they are.

 

I also didn't know you were "just" an OCPR Advisor, and that does make a difference. I guess in the overall sense you are an "OA", but the distinction is there.

 

I'm just a comic book reader, collector and yes, seller. Compared to the guys you see on the wall of mug shots every year in the OS guide, I'm clearly out of their league in terms or years of experience and proficiency in comic book knowledge. But I can guarantee you that, whether it is by choice or not, their knowledge and sales of modern books and variants was not enough at the time when I was brought on to be a "modern" specialist advisor. I'm not the end-all guru of the modern market either (Kevin Boyd comes to mind for this title with all his knowledge that he shares in the Modern Forums), but when I was asked by Overstreet, I was willing to put in the "legwork" if you will. Now, with two children later, I find that a difficult commitment to adhere to, but I do my best in reporting my data and sales or noted trends, etc. And you have many more "modern specialists" and off the shelf slabbers today then you did back when I was named OS advisor. Their reports and perspectives recorded in the OCPR are helpful and complete the picture for collectors of comics, slabbed or unslabbed. This month's OCPR and a recent Scoop introduced us to 3 new OS advisors, each with their own specialty to bring to the table.

 

So someone just called/emailed you and asked you to be an OA?

 

Yes and asked for a writing sample. My first OCPR report draft basically.

 

Did you know this person previously, or was it out of the blue?

 

I knew of this person, but not anymore than I know you and it was out of the blue.

 

Had this person read your postings or bought something from you? I'm just wondering how you came to their attention, why you were selected, etc.

 

Yes on both counts and before I knew this person had anything to do with Overstreet. Maybe it was my unmatched customer service

 

Was it just your willingness to do the legwork that caught Overstreet's attention?

 

If I was the lazy slacker then that I am now today, I probably wouldn't have been considered

 

And I would ask this question not just of you, but of any Overstreet Advisors that post here. Or maybe Arnold can tell us how OAs are selected?

 

The guys at Gemstone Publishing and Overstreet are the ones who can answer this best. You are just getting my story and I think there will be similar reports from other new advisors as well.

[ArnoldTBlumberg]

"I'm in favor of expanding the guide's "coverage" in terms of ages. the Addition of the Victorian Age section was a great move, and fascinating to read. The Platinum Age is invaluable as a source of the origins of the comic book as we know it today."

 

 

Wait until #35, garthgantu.

 

 

Arnold

[WiseGuyX]

.but someday you might want to know when The Joker true first appearance, or cover appearance, occured...

 

 

As a matter of fact I do

[skybolt]

"People still use the guide for valuation?"

 

Isn't OldGuy cute sometimes?

 

 

Arnold

 

I would run full speed in the other direction at the sight of a seller using Overstreet to price VIRTUALLY ANY Dell/Gold Key/Charlton comic at Fine or below. All those Barks books that are listed at $10 to $40 in VG will get you $2-5 tops. If the price in VG is listed at $8 or less (or even higher), that's a buck or less real-world. Same goes for a VAST MAJORITY of DC and Marvels from the sixties below Fine.

 

So, in that regard, Overstreet is fairly useless to me.

 

Whatever the 'formula' OS uses to arrive at low to mid-grade prices on these books needs to be radically adjusted if reflecting reality is the goal. I would propose something like this:

 

G VG F VF NM-

 

8 16 35 80 150 (old pricing)

 

1 2 10 50 100 (reality pricing)

 

I buy a lot of comics from former collectors and many, many times I have seen their disappointment first-hand when the actual value of their collection turns out to be about one-fifth (or less) of its 'book value'. I'm not talking about what a dealer will give them for it, I'm talking about what they would get selling their books to collectors.

 

 

So, since low-grade comics make up, oh, about 90% of all back issues, that means that with respect to the vast majority of books for sale in the hobby, Overstreet is useless.

 

Sorry Arnold but that's the way I see it. However, that doesn't stop me from buying a new one every year so it's not completely useless, I guess.

 

Another reason why books don't meet their full potential is because of overgrading. If I'm buying a raw 60's Marvel or D.C. book off Ebay that's listed as VF and only has a small scan, then I'll probably pay about 40-50% guide. However, once I make a purchase from a reputable seller that knows how to grade, then I'm willing to pay something close to guide. I mean look at most of VG-FN GA or SA books sold on-line by Metro, Mile High or Comiclink, people are still buying them at guide or sometimes even higher prices.

[garthgantu]

.but someday you might want to know when The Joker true first appearance, or cover appearance, occured...

 

 

As a matter of fact I do

 

Well, you can either slip Arnold a sawbuck or you can get yourself an Overstreet Price Guide, the choice is yours!

[garthgantu]

"I'm in favor of expanding the guide's "coverage" in terms of ages. the Addition of the Victorian Age section was a great move, and fascinating to read. The Platinum Age is invaluable as a source of the origins of the comic book as we know it today."

 

 

Wait until #35, garthgantu.

Arnold

 

I CAN'T wait...!! Can you slip me a galley of it when that's available? I won't spill the beans, honest!