The Dentist, Metropolis...

[Sqeggs]

Anderson's Superman #1 was bought from Geppi and is definitely superior to the Church copy. I believe Borock has seen it in person.

 

Action 1 MH/Church

Det. 27 Allentown

Bat 1 MH/Church

Superman 1 File

 

I would say Anderson has the top collection, John V. A close second with the majority of the Church Timely's.

 

Dwight

 

For the sake of argument let's assume these are not being sold in the next 30 years. Are we saying there is no possible way a third person could build a collection that rivals these, at least not for Golden Age? Could enough loose books be assembled into a collection that could hold a candle to these? (Fire and comics not being the ideal imagery)

 

On the SA front, isn't this Brulato guy quite the high grade fan or am I thinking of someone else? And I guess Schmell had a pretty nice collection until he sold it?

 

I think both DA and JV's collection are unassailable in the GA.

 

Just looking at the also-rans that I know about or are rumored (Reilly copies, for example) it would be hard to put together keys that match their keys. And then you're faced with the task of trying to assemble Church quality RUNS. It would be basically impossible unless a new 10,000 book near mint collection surfaces and someone overpays for all the books they want.

 

Brulato is the public king of silver age Marvel, but that's clearly not unassailable. The keys almost all exist as multiples at the top level and there are plenty of full runs out there in collections and pedigree collections to feed many top level collections. It would be pricey, of course, but if you were dedicated and had loot you could build that kind of collection even now. Look at the Don/Maggie Thompson books. They're never-ending.

 

pretty tired of you guys forgetting i have 3 pristine copies of major inapak. top that!

 

I've got 10 copies!

[Heronext]

Not directed at anyone in particular here...the Schmell Collection fetched $3.9 million at Heritage, and wasn't that the #2 SA collection out there? Not that it's a small amount, but it's not particularly huge either (I doubt that $3.9 million would get you in the top 20 in OA, let alone anywhere near #2). I just don't think it would be that hard to build a world-class SA collection if you've got significant resources, which is probably partially why people with significant resources pursue more challenging areas to collect. Just because 2 or 3 of the highest graded keys (like Hulk #1 9.4) might be tough to get wouldn't change that fact.

 

Wasn't the Heritage Schmell offering missing a lot of key stuff he'd already sold off? But point taken.

[Johnny545]

Not directed at anyone in particular here...the Schmell Collection fetched $3.9 million at Heritage, and wasn't that the #2 SA collection out there? Not that it's a small amount, but it's not particularly huge either (I doubt that $3.9 million would get you in the top 20 in OA, let alone anywhere near #2). I just don't think it would be that hard to build a world-class SA collection if you've got significant resources, which is probably partially why people with significant resources pursue more challenging areas to collect. Just because 2 or 3 of the highest graded keys (like Hulk #1 9.4) might be tough to get wouldn't change that fact.

 

I'm not sure it would be as easy as you (and others) think.

 

Schmell & Brulato pretty much had the pick of every SA Pedigree in the last 20 years. Not only did Brulato keep trading up until he had the best copy available in that time frame, he was also constantly trading with Schmell himself until he'd cherry-picked what he needed from him also.

 

The "Schmell Collection", although amazing, had many books that were let go by Brulato and achieved the ultimate grade through multiple CPRs.

 

So, short of buying Brulato out wholesale, I'm not sure where the raw materials would come from for someone to match his collection through money alone ?

 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if there are a dozen high grade SA collections out there that have never seen the light of day.

 

Two dozen wouldn't surprise me...

[drbanner]

Wasn't the Heritage Schmell offering missing a lot of key stuff he'd already sold off?

Yes.

[Rip]

Wasn't the Heritage Schmell offering missing a lot of key stuff he'd already sold off?

Yes.

 

Brulato also has some HG double runs as well.

[VintageComics]

Not directed at anyone in particular here...the Schmell Collection fetched $3.9 million at Heritage, and wasn't that the #2 SA collection out there? Not that it's a small amount, but it's not particularly huge either (I doubt that $3.9 million would get you in the top 20 in OA, let alone anywhere near #2). I just don't think it would be that hard to build a world-class SA collection if you've got significant resources, which is probably partially why people with significant resources pursue more challenging areas to collect. Just because 2 or 3 of the highest graded keys (like Hulk #1 9.4) might be tough to get wouldn't change that fact.

 

I genuinely don't think the Schmell collection was even number #2.

 

Schmell started selling his collection off years ago and when it hit Heritage, his FF #1 was gone (down to a 9.2 from a 9.6), no Hulks, no Spidey books.

 

It may have been a rival collection to Brulato's back in the mid 2000's but it hasn't been in a long time. Rival runs but not total collection.

[JollyComics]

Not directed at anyone in particular here...the Schmell Collection fetched $3.9 million at Heritage, and wasn't that the #2 SA collection out there? Not that it's a small amount, but it's not particularly huge either (I doubt that $3.9 million would get you in the top 20 in OA, let alone anywhere near #2). I just don't think it would be that hard to build a world-class SA collection if you've got significant resources, which is probably partially why people with significant resources pursue more challenging areas to collect. Just because 2 or 3 of the highest graded keys (like Hulk #1 9.4) might be tough to get wouldn't change that fact.

 

I genuinely don't think the Schmell collection was even number #2.

 

Schmell started selling his collection off years ago and when it hit Heritage, his FF #1 was gone (down to a 9.2 from a 9.6), no Hulks, no Spidey books.

 

It may have been a rival collection to Brulato's back in the mid 2000's but it hasn't been in a long time. Rival runs but not total collection.

 

He still have Spidey collection.

[JollyComics]

If you were to see Fishler's art collection your mind would blow wide open.

 

John Verzyl happens to own every Mile High Timely except for 6 or 7.

 

His Marvel #1 is rumored to be perfect and the Cap #1 is a graded 9.8 (not a Mile High though).

Cap 1 is the Allentown.

 

Thought so but my fuzzy brain couldn't remember after Chicago.

 

Come on! Be nice to my kind of town! Watch out for many Blizzards coming!!

[VintageComics]

Not directed at anyone in particular here...the Schmell Collection fetched $3.9 million at Heritage, and wasn't that the #2 SA collection out there? Not that it's a small amount, but it's not particularly huge either (I doubt that $3.9 million would get you in the top 20 in OA, let alone anywhere near #2). I just don't think it would be that hard to build a world-class SA collection if you've got significant resources, which is probably partially why people with significant resources pursue more challenging areas to collect. Just because 2 or 3 of the highest graded keys (like Hulk #1 9.4) might be tough to get wouldn't change that fact.

 

I genuinely don't think the Schmell collection was even number #2.

 

Schmell started selling his collection off years ago and when it hit Heritage, his FF #1 was gone (down to a 9.2 from a 9.6), no Hulks, no Spidey books.

 

It may have been a rival collection to Brulato's back in the mid 2000's but it hasn't been in a long time. Rival runs but not total collection.

 

He still have Spidey collection.

Schemll got rid of his ASM books back in the mid-late 2000's.

 

And I love Chicago. A little too much - that's why my brain was fuzzy!

[Aman619]

they didn't need mega bucks to buy them when they bought them. Just the ballisimos to pay the exorbitant prices dealers were demanding back then, which for the keys, are steals now. not so much for the rest of each runs issues.

[eman13]

I wish I had money like that. These guys with all this money to buy all these mega-books...that just blows my mind.

 

Peace,

 

Chip

sucks to be poor, right? I watch this stuff and would love to be a part of it but lack the funds at this point in my life

[originalisbest]

Not directed at anyone in particular here...the Schmell Collection fetched $3.9 million at Heritage, and wasn't that the #2 SA collection out there? Not that it's a small amount, but it's not particularly huge either (I doubt that $3.9 million would get you in the top 20 in OA, let alone anywhere near #2). I just don't think it would be that hard to build a world-class SA collection if you've got significant resources, which is probably partially why people with significant resources pursue more challenging areas to collect. Just because 2 or 3 of the highest graded keys (like Hulk #1 9.4) might be tough to get wouldn't change that fact.

 

I'm not sure it would be as easy as you (and others) think.

 

Schmell & Brulato pretty much had the pick of every SA Pedigree in the last 20 years. Not only did Brulato keep trading up until he had the best copy available in that time frame, he was also constantly trading with Schmell himself until he'd cherry-picked what he needed from him also.

 

The "Schmell Collection", although amazing, had many books that were let go by Brulato and achieved the ultimate grade through multiple CPRs.

 

So, short of buying Brulato out wholesale, I'm not sure where the raw materials would come from for someone to match his collection through money alone ?

 

 

What I was getting at is that I think it's IMPOSSIBLE to take a run at Verzyl or DA. The books simply don't exist outside of their collections. The keys certainly don't.

 

It is,however, POSSIBLE to put together a run that would rival Brulato. Every one of his books is not 1:1 top census. This is a silver age collection we're talking about. So if you flashed a bag of money and bought the best books from the best silver age collections you could get within striking distance. Even just basing this on what's in the registry there's a lot out the that you could hunt down with time/money.

 

Would it be the exact same or better than Brulato. No, especially because of the FF1 and the Hulk1 which are unmatched, but that's not really my point. Throw in a 9.6 AF15 and blow out the rest of the collection as well as you could and you'd have a 9.475 collection up against Tom's 9.585 (or whatever.)

 

I keep saying I don't think it would be easy, and people keep telling me that "it wouldn't be as easy as you think" so, I'm not sure what else I can say on that point. It's a discussion mobius strip.

 

Compare that to the best you could do against the Church books which are often solid runs of 9.+ I think the best a person could realistically do across the breadth of these GA collections would be to end up a full point or more behind the standard they've set.

 

Or, or, they could just not worry their little heads about it, and enjoy collecting nice books.

[Crowzilla]

sucks to be poor, right? I watch this stuff and would love to be a part of it but lack the funds at this point in my life

 

All you have to do is become an attorney and steal client funds.

Sure, you might get disbarred later, but if you get a multi-million dollar collection out of it, who cares?

 

[originalisbest]

sucks to be poor, right? I watch this stuff and would love to be a part of it but lack the funds at this point in my life

 

All you have to do is become an attorney and steal client funds.

Sure, you might get disbarred later, but if you get a multi-million dollar collection out of it, who cares?

 

Mrrrowwww

[jasonharris52-migration]

Who actually has the best comics collection in the world?

 

It is a crazy collection that Mr A has:

 

Church copy of Action Comics 1

Best DC27

 

Best Superman 1 too?

Church copies of Action comics 2-23 as well I believe.

 

What else does he have, and does Metro have a collection to rival it (it seems impossible...)?

 

best? dentist dave

 

most valuable? metropolis by far. inventory/value wise not even close.

[peewee22]

Who actually has the best comics collection in the world?

 

It is a crazy collection that Mr A has:

 

Church copy of Action Comics 1

Best DC27

 

Best Superman 1 too?

Church copies of Action comics 2-23 as well I believe.

 

What else does he have, and does Metro have a collection to rival it (it seems impossible...)?

 

best? dentist dave

 

most valuable? metropolis by far. inventory/value wise not even close.

 

Wish I was Fish's kid(s)...well, let me think about that one.

[VintageComics]

they didn't need mega bucks to buy them when they bought them. Just the ballisimos to pay the exorbitant prices dealers were demanding back then, which for the keys, are steals now. not so much for the rest of each runs issues.

 

They look like steals now but weren't back then. It's all relative.

[stagedoorjohnny]

 

 

Great discussion going on here. Sure beats talking about "number of views" and speculating which financier or non-hobby baron is bidding on a book.

 

Keep the info and history flowing please...

[Crowzilla]

most valuable? metropolis by far. inventory/value wise not even close.

 

Mile High Action 1-23

MH Batman 1-20

Allentown Detective 27

MH Tec 28-40

Best Superman 1

MH Superman 2-20

MH Sensation 1-20

MH Pep 22

MH Whiz 1

MH Archie 1

...

 

Not saying you're wrong, but those start to add up pretty fast

[tth2]

That Hulk #1 is the most insane book to me. A silver age Marvel and that's as good as it gets.

 

That's a $1,000,000 book, I think.

 

Yup. It's probably up there.

 

As for your other comments regarding the Don/Maggie books, etc, I'm thinking its going to be difficult (but not impossible) to assembleor find a run of 9.6/9.8 books ala Brulato.

 

It would take another "Curator" type collector to do it. Not impossible, but the chances are diminishing every day.

 

 

Oh, it wouldn't be easy, but there are enough new collections coming through on the SA side that there's opportunity to pick off great copies. If you were trying to do the top 10 Marvel runs you would have a few 9.8/9.6s to go after just at Heritage every week.

You guys are overlooking the fact that anyone trying to create a SA collection to rival Tom`s would have to compete against Tom for any copies that come out that are better than his existing copy. Not such an easy thing to do.

 

Plus, most dealers will continue to give Tom first dibbs on any new discovery. So it`s possible any such new great books will never even make it into market for some competitor to try to win.

 

I'm not saying it would be easy or that it wouldn't take a bag of cash the size of a small country. I'm just saying the material exists, in most cases, to take a run at his collection. The biggest exceptions are the FF1 and the Hulk 1.

And the 9.6 JIM 83 and 9.8 ASM 1.

 

And the 9.6 TTA 35, which might be the toughest of all.