Action 1 or Tec 27

[ComicConnoisseur]

At different points Four Color 9 and Marvel were the most sought after and valuable comics. And other oddball books too the further you go back, so its not entirely surprising the order at the top could be still evolving.

 

But its been 30 years with Superman on top of Batman for #1 position (in a GOOD way!) that it feels like this will be the final ordering to many of us. we shall see. I'm 30 years maybe GROOT will be on top!?

In 30 years it will still be Action Comics 1 or Tec 27 battling it out for the all-time top spot. I don`t see that ever changing. They will always be the top 2.

It`s comic books ranked 3 to 10 that the most changes could occur.

[sfcityduck]

I've been told that once upon a time Prince Valiant and Tarzan beat both....just what I've heard,but in the 1970s these(Action,Detective) were not the most sought after.

And my vote would have leaned towards Marvel #1.....no mention of that lil book today really.

 

Based on what I've seen in old media reports it was never the Foster covers. From an old post in which I was compiling some info on record prices paid:

 

 

1965 - Action Comics 1 for $250 (as reported by AP);

 

1968 - Marvel Comics 1 for $330 (by Howard Rogolfsky as reported by the AP, but not with reference to a record);

 

[Aside: 1969 - Captain Marvel 1 for $150 (reported by AP).]

 

1973 - Action 1 for $1,000 (by Bruce Hamilton per AP, from Gene Henderson per Robert Beerbohm), Action 1 for $1,500 (bought by Theo Hostein from Hamilton as reported by Mitch Mehdy) followed by same book for $1,801.26 (bought by Mehdy from Holstein as widely reported in the media), also Action 1 for $1,800 (claim by Jon Campbell per UPI report - not sure if he was connected to Hamilton or not);

 

1974 - $2,000 for Whiz 2 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerbohm), $2,200 for Detective 27 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerhbohm), also Detective 27 reportedly offered for $2,000 by Jon Campbell (per UPI) and Burl Rowe also was reported by the AP to have purchased a Superman 1 for $2,000 at the last day of that years Houstoncon, finally incomplete MPFW sold for $2000;

 

[Aside: 1974 UPI article state Bob Crestohl was offered $4,000 for his Action 1 (which he bought in 1973 for $1,500), but he turned it down -- although he was willing to sell his Detective 27 for $2,500];

 

1979 - Marvel Comics 1 for $13,000 (bought by Snyder as reported by AP);

 

Early 80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $17,500 (by Snyder to Geppi);

 

1984 - Action 1 for $25,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

*[Aside: mid-80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $82,000? (Bought by Verzyl, but this is a controversial contender, and based on comments on this board about this being part of a 3,000 book purchase, and the lack of any media claim to a record, I think this probably should not be viewed as a record purchase)];

 

1990 - Allentown Detective #27 $82,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

[Aside: 1991 - Detective 27 for $55,000 (sold by Sotheby's to Harold Anderson - denoted in media reports as record for comic sold at auction)];

 

1992 - Action 1 for $82,500 (sold by Sotheby's as reported in media);

 

1994 - Detective #27 $101,000 (seller or buyer? As reported by Rob's site);

 

[Aside: 1994 - Action 1 for $54,625 (sold by Sotheby's and denoted in media reports as highest price for a restored comic)];

 

1995 - Action 1 for $137,500 (sold by PCE to Daniel Kramer);

 

[Aside: 1995 - Whiz 2 for $176,000 (media reports exist of this purchase by Geppi from Dave Anderson, but board members say it was a trade deal);

 

2000 - Allentown Captain America #1 for $265,000 (bought by Verzyl);

 

2001 - Detective 27 for $278,210 (sold by Mastro);

 

2002 - Marvel Comics 1 for $350,000 (sold to Jay Parrino by Steve Geppi);

 

2010 - Action 1 for $1,000,000, few days later D27 for $1.075 million, followed by Action 1 for $1.5 million.

[markseifert]

I've been meaning to say, this is great stuff.

 

There is an MC 1 sale of about $30k (I think!) around 1980-82 or so. I saw it written up in my local paper and mentioned it as part of some sort of school report I did as a kid.

 

Early 80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $17,500 (by Snyder to Geppi);

 

1984 - Action 1 for $25,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

[Theagenes]

I've been told that once upon a time Prince Valiant and Tarzan beat both....just what I've heard,but in the 1970s these(Action,Detective) were not the most sought after.

And my vote would have leaned towards Marvel #1.....no mention of that lil book today really.

 

Based on what I've seen in old media reports it was never the Foster covers. From an old post in which I was compiling some info on record prices paid:

 

 

1965 - Action Comics 1 for $250 (as reported by AP);

 

1968 - Marvel Comics 1 for $330 (by Howard Rogolfsky as reported by the AP, but not with reference to a record);

 

[Aside: 1969 - Captain Marvel 1 for $150 (reported by AP).]

 

1973 - Action 1 for $1,000 (by Bruce Hamilton per AP, from Gene Henderson per Robert Beerbohm), Action 1 for $1,500 (bought by Theo Hostein from Hamilton as reported by Mitch Mehdy) followed by same book for $1,801.26 (bought by Mehdy from Holstein as widely reported in the media), also Action 1 for $1,800 (claim by Jon Campbell per UPI report - not sure if he was connected to Hamilton or not);

 

1974 - $2,000 for Whiz 2 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerbohm), $2,200 for Detective 27 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerhbohm), also Detective 27 reportedly offered for $2,000 by Jon Campbell (per UPI) and Burl Rowe also was reported by the AP to have purchased a Superman 1 for $2,000 at the last day of that years Houstoncon, finally incomplete MPFW sold for $2000;

 

[Aside: 1974 UPI article state Bob Crestohl was offered $4,000 for his Action 1 (which he bought in 1973 for $1,500), but he turned it down -- although he was willing to sell his Detective 27 for $2,500];

 

1979 - Marvel Comics 1 for $13,000 (bought by Snyder as reported by AP);

 

Early 80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $17,500 (by Snyder to Geppi);

 

1984 - Action 1 for $25,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

*[Aside: mid-80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $82,000? (Bought by Verzyl, but this is a controversial contender, and based on comments on this board about this being part of a 3,000 book purchase, and the lack of any media claim to a record, I think this probably should not be viewed as a record purchase)];

 

1990 - Allentown Detective #27 $82,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

[Aside: 1991 - Detective 27 for $55,000 (sold by Sotheby's to Harold Anderson - denoted in media reports as record for comic sold at auction)];

 

1992 - Action 1 for $82,500 (sold by Sotheby's as reported in media);

 

1994 - Detective #27 $101,000 (seller or buyer? As reported by Rob's site);

 

[Aside: 1994 - Action 1 for $54,625 (sold by Sotheby's and denoted in media reports as highest price for a restored comic)];

 

1995 - Action 1 for $137,500 (sold by PCE to Daniel Kramer);

 

[Aside: 1995 - Whiz 2 for $176,000 (media reports exist of this purchase by Geppi from Dave Anderson, but board members say it was a trade deal);

 

2000 - Allentown Captain America #1 for $265,000 (bought by Verzyl);

 

2001 - Detective 27 for $278,210 (sold by Mastro);

 

2002 - Marvel Comics 1 for $350,000 (sold to Jay Parrino by Steve Geppi);

 

2010 - Action 1 for $1,000,000, few days later D27 for $1.075 million, followed by Action 1 for $1.5 million.

 

The time when Single Series 20 (Tarzan), Large Feature 5 (Tarzan), Feature Book 25 (Flash Gordon) and 26 (Prince Valiant), and Four Color 10 (Flash Gordon) were top books was in the 50s through mid 60s -- the dawn of the hobby. Action 1, Whiz 2, Tec 27, MC 1, Supes 1, Bats 1 were also top books during that time and they were all $100 books.

 

By the mid 60s the superhero books started taking off and the others stayed about the same. The popularity of those books had nothing to do with covers, but with interior content - 64 pages of all Foster and Raymond.

 

From what I gather, $100 seems to have been a psychologcal barrier for a long time until Action 1 broke it -- much like the $1M barrier a few years ago -- then they took off. I guess the $1000 barrier in the early 70s might have been similar. It seems like Action 1 is the book that almost always breaks those psychological price barrier, except for 100K.

 

[ComicConnoisseur]

I've been told that once upon a time Prince Valiant and Tarzan beat both....just what I've heard,but in the 1970s these(Action,Detective) were not the most sought after.

And my vote would have leaned towards Marvel #1.....no mention of that lil book today really.

 

Based on what I've seen in old media reports it was never the Foster covers. From an old post in which I was compiling some info on record prices paid:

 

 

1965 - Action Comics 1 for $250 (as reported by AP);

 

1968 - Marvel Comics 1 for $330 (by Howard Rogolfsky as reported by the AP, but not with reference to a record);

 

[Aside: 1969 - Captain Marvel 1 for $150 (reported by AP).]

 

1973 - Action 1 for $1,000 (by Bruce Hamilton per AP, from Gene Henderson per Robert Beerbohm), Action 1 for $1,500 (bought by Theo Hostein from Hamilton as reported by Mitch Mehdy) followed by same book for $1,801.26 (bought by Mehdy from Holstein as widely reported in the media), also Action 1 for $1,800 (claim by Jon Campbell per UPI report - not sure if he was connected to Hamilton or not);

 

1974 - $2,000 for Whiz 2 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerbohm), $2,200 for Detective 27 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerhbohm), also Detective 27 reportedly offered for $2,000 by Jon Campbell (per UPI) and Burl Rowe also was reported by the AP to have purchased a Superman 1 for $2,000 at the last day of that years Houstoncon, finally incomplete MPFW sold for $2000;

 

[Aside: 1974 UPI article state Bob Crestohl was offered $4,000 for his Action 1 (which he bought in 1973 for $1,500), but he turned it down -- although he was willing to sell his Detective 27 for $2,500];

 

1979 - Marvel Comics 1 for $13,000 (bought by Snyder as reported by AP);

 

Early 80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $17,500 (by Snyder to Geppi);

 

1984 - Action 1 for $25,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

*[Aside: mid-80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $82,000? (Bought by Verzyl, but this is a controversial contender, and based on comments on this board about this being part of a 3,000 book purchase, and the lack of any media claim to a record, I think this probably should not be viewed as a record purchase)];

 

1990 - Allentown Detective #27 $82,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

[Aside: 1991 - Detective 27 for $55,000 (sold by Sotheby's to Harold Anderson - denoted in media reports as record for comic sold at auction)];

 

1992 - Action 1 for $82,500 (sold by Sotheby's as reported in media);

 

1994 - Detective #27 $101,000 (seller or buyer? As reported by Rob's site);

 

[Aside: 1994 - Action 1 for $54,625 (sold by Sotheby's and denoted in media reports as highest price for a restored comic)];

 

1995 - Action 1 for $137,500 (sold by PCE to Daniel Kramer);

 

[Aside: 1995 - Whiz 2 for $176,000 (media reports exist of this purchase by Geppi from Dave Anderson, but board members say it was a trade deal);

 

2000 - Allentown Captain America #1 for $265,000 (bought by Verzyl);

 

2001 - Detective 27 for $278,210 (sold by Mastro);

 

2002 - Marvel Comics 1 for $350,000 (sold to Jay Parrino by Steve Geppi);

 

2010 - Action 1 for $1,000,000, few days later D27 for $1.075 million, followed by Action 1 for $1.5 million.

 

The time when Single Series 20 (Tarzan), Large Feature 5 (Tarzan), Feature Book 25 (Flash Gordon) and 26 (Prince Valiant), and Four Color 10 (Flash Gordon) were top books was in the 50s through mid 60s -- the dawn of the hobby. Action 1, Whiz 2, Tec 27, MC 1, Supes 1, Bats 1 were also top books during that time and they were all $100 books.

 

 

 

I will add another angle to why Superman, Batman and Marvel Über keys are in way more demand, then Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Prince Valiant keys is because Marvel and DC have done a much better job of keeping their top characters in the public eye, then Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc and King Features Syndicate have.

The good news is it looks like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc and King Features Syndicate have woke up to the goldmines they have been sitting on all these years, as both Tarzan and Flash Gordon have big rebooted blockbuster movies on the way! (thumbs u

 

TARZAN 2016 MOVIE WARNER

 

FLASH GORDON MOVIE FOX

 

[originalisbest]

I've been told that once upon a time Prince Valiant and Tarzan beat both....just what I've heard,but in the 1970s these(Action,Detective) were not the most sought after.

And my vote would have leaned towards Marvel #1.....no mention of that lil book today really.

 

Based on what I've seen in old media reports it was never the Foster covers. From an old post in which I was compiling some info on record prices paid:

 

 

1965 - Action Comics 1 for $250 (as reported by AP);

 

1968 - Marvel Comics 1 for $330 (by Howard Rogolfsky as reported by the AP, but not with reference to a record);

 

[Aside: 1969 - Captain Marvel 1 for $150 (reported by AP).]

 

1973 - Action 1 for $1,000 (by Bruce Hamilton per AP, from Gene Henderson per Robert Beerbohm), Action 1 for $1,500 (bought by Theo Hostein from Hamilton as reported by Mitch Mehdy) followed by same book for $1,801.26 (bought by Mehdy from Holstein as widely reported in the media), also Action 1 for $1,800 (claim by Jon Campbell per UPI report - not sure if he was connected to Hamilton or not);

 

1974 - $2,000 for Whiz 2 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerbohm), $2,200 for Detective 27 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerhbohm), also Detective 27 reportedly offered for $2,000 by Jon Campbell (per UPI) and Burl Rowe also was reported by the AP to have purchased a Superman 1 for $2,000 at the last day of that years Houstoncon, finally incomplete MPFW sold for $2000;

 

[Aside: 1974 UPI article state Bob Crestohl was offered $4,000 for his Action 1 (which he bought in 1973 for $1,500), but he turned it down -- although he was willing to sell his Detective 27 for $2,500];

 

1979 - Marvel Comics 1 for $13,000 (bought by Snyder as reported by AP);

 

Early 80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $17,500 (by Snyder to Geppi);

 

1984 - Action 1 for $25,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

*[Aside: mid-80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $82,000? (Bought by Verzyl, but this is a controversial contender, and based on comments on this board about this being part of a 3,000 book purchase, and the lack of any media claim to a record, I think this probably should not be viewed as a record purchase)];

 

1990 - Allentown Detective #27 $82,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

[Aside: 1991 - Detective 27 for $55,000 (sold by Sotheby's to Harold Anderson - denoted in media reports as record for comic sold at auction)];

 

1992 - Action 1 for $82,500 (sold by Sotheby's as reported in media);

 

1994 - Detective #27 $101,000 (seller or buyer? As reported by Rob's site);

 

[Aside: 1994 - Action 1 for $54,625 (sold by Sotheby's and denoted in media reports as highest price for a restored comic)];

 

1995 - Action 1 for $137,500 (sold by PCE to Daniel Kramer);

 

[Aside: 1995 - Whiz 2 for $176,000 (media reports exist of this purchase by Geppi from Dave Anderson, but board members say it was a trade deal);

 

2000 - Allentown Captain America #1 for $265,000 (bought by Verzyl);

 

2001 - Detective 27 for $278,210 (sold by Mastro);

 

2002 - Marvel Comics 1 for $350,000 (sold to Jay Parrino by Steve Geppi);

 

2010 - Action 1 for $1,000,000, few days later D27 for $1.075 million, followed by Action 1 for $1.5 million.

 

The time when Single Series 20 (Tarzan), Large Feature 5 (Tarzan), Feature Book 25 (Flash Gordon) and 26 (Prince Valiant), and Four Color 10 (Flash Gordon) were top books was in the 50s through mid 60s -- the dawn of the hobby. Action 1, Whiz 2, Tec 27, MC 1, Supes 1, Bats 1 were also top books during that time and they were all $100 books.

 

 

 

I will add another angle to why Superman, Batman and Marvel Über keys are in way more demand, then Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Prince Valiant keys is because Marvel and DC have done a much better job of keeping their top characters in the public eye, then Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc and King Features Syndicate have.

The good news is it looks like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc and King Features Syndicate have woke up to the goldmines they have been sitting on all these years, as both Tarzan and Flash Gordon have big rebooted blockbuster movies on the way! (thumbs u

 

TARZAN 2016 MOVIE WARNER

 

FLASH GORDON MOVIE FOX

 

The Tarzan "white man in the jungle" premise should go over just gangbusters with a modern audience. Of course, they'll likely change it in all sorts of ways to make it more palatable, that should annoy everyone evenly.

[sfcityduck]

What? You didn't think John Carter was an example of ERB keeping their top characters in the public eye?

[Theagenes]

I've been told that once upon a time Prince Valiant and Tarzan beat both....just what I've heard,but in the 1970s these(Action,Detective) were not the most sought after.

And my vote would have leaned towards Marvel #1.....no mention of that lil book today really.

 

Based on what I've seen in old media reports it was never the Foster covers. From an old post in which I was compiling some info on record prices paid:

 

 

1965 - Action Comics 1 for $250 (as reported by AP);

 

1968 - Marvel Comics 1 for $330 (by Howard Rogolfsky as reported by the AP, but not with reference to a record);

 

[Aside: 1969 - Captain Marvel 1 for $150 (reported by AP).]

 

1973 - Action 1 for $1,000 (by Bruce Hamilton per AP, from Gene Henderson per Robert Beerbohm), Action 1 for $1,500 (bought by Theo Hostein from Hamilton as reported by Mitch Mehdy) followed by same book for $1,801.26 (bought by Mehdy from Holstein as widely reported in the media), also Action 1 for $1,800 (claim by Jon Campbell per UPI report - not sure if he was connected to Hamilton or not);

 

1974 - $2,000 for Whiz 2 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerbohm), $2,200 for Detective 27 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerhbohm), also Detective 27 reportedly offered for $2,000 by Jon Campbell (per UPI) and Burl Rowe also was reported by the AP to have purchased a Superman 1 for $2,000 at the last day of that years Houstoncon, finally incomplete MPFW sold for $2000;

 

[Aside: 1974 UPI article state Bob Crestohl was offered $4,000 for his Action 1 (which he bought in 1973 for $1,500), but he turned it down -- although he was willing to sell his Detective 27 for $2,500];

 

1979 - Marvel Comics 1 for $13,000 (bought by Snyder as reported by AP);

 

Early 80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $17,500 (by Snyder to Geppi);

 

1984 - Action 1 for $25,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

*[Aside: mid-80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $82,000? (Bought by Verzyl, but this is a controversial contender, and based on comments on this board about this being part of a 3,000 book purchase, and the lack of any media claim to a record, I think this probably should not be viewed as a record purchase)];

 

1990 - Allentown Detective #27 $82,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

[Aside: 1991 - Detective 27 for $55,000 (sold by Sotheby's to Harold Anderson - denoted in media reports as record for comic sold at auction)];

 

1992 - Action 1 for $82,500 (sold by Sotheby's as reported in media);

 

1994 - Detective #27 $101,000 (seller or buyer? As reported by Rob's site);

 

[Aside: 1994 - Action 1 for $54,625 (sold by Sotheby's and denoted in media reports as highest price for a restored comic)];

 

1995 - Action 1 for $137,500 (sold by PCE to Daniel Kramer);

 

[Aside: 1995 - Whiz 2 for $176,000 (media reports exist of this purchase by Geppi from Dave Anderson, but board members say it was a trade deal);

 

2000 - Allentown Captain America #1 for $265,000 (bought by Verzyl);

 

2001 - Detective 27 for $278,210 (sold by Mastro);

 

2002 - Marvel Comics 1 for $350,000 (sold to Jay Parrino by Steve Geppi);

 

2010 - Action 1 for $1,000,000, few days later D27 for $1.075 million, followed by Action 1 for $1.5 million.

 

The time when Single Series 20 (Tarzan), Large Feature 5 (Tarzan), Feature Book 25 (Flash Gordon) and 26 (Prince Valiant), and Four Color 10 (Flash Gordon) were top books was in the 50s through mid 60s -- the dawn of the hobby. Action 1, Whiz 2, Tec 27, MC 1, Supes 1, Bats 1 were also top books during that time and they were all $100 books.

 

 

 

I will add another angle to why Superman, Batman and Marvel Über keys are in way more demand, then Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Prince Valiant keys is because Marvel and DC have done a much better job of keeping their top characters in the public eye, then Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc and King Features Syndicate have.

The good news is it looks like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc and King Features Syndicate have woke up to the goldmines they have been sitting on all these years, as both Tarzan and Flash Gordon have big rebooted blockbuster movies on the way! (thumbs u

 

TARZAN 2016 MOVIE WARNER

 

FLASH GORDON MOVIE FOX

 

True, but I really think those books were keys more because of the artwork than the characters. But by the mid-60s the Marvel superhero boom was fully underway and that fueled the interest in the "First Heroic Age" -- that's when the GA superhero keys started to separate from the herd.

[Aman619]

I've been told that once upon a time Prince Valiant and Tarzan beat both....just what I've heard,but in the 1970s these(Action,Detective) were not the most sought after.

And my vote would have leaned towards Marvel #1.....no mention of that lil book today really.

 

Based on what I've seen in old media reports it was never the Foster covers. From an old post in which I was compiling some info on record prices paid:

 

 

1965 - Action Comics 1 for $250 (as reported by AP);

 

1968 - Marvel Comics 1 for $330 (by Howard Rogolfsky as reported by the AP, but not with reference to a record);

 

[Aside: 1969 - Captain Marvel 1 for $150 (reported by AP).]

 

1973 - Action 1 for $1,000 (by Bruce Hamilton per AP, from Gene Henderson per Robert Beerbohm), Action 1 for $1,500 (bought by Theo Hostein from Hamilton as reported by Mitch Mehdy) followed by same book for $1,801.26 (bought by Mehdy from Holstein as widely reported in the media), also Action 1 for $1,800 (claim by Jon Campbell per UPI report - not sure if he was connected to Hamilton or not);

 

1974 - $2,000 for Whiz 2 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerbohm), $2,200 for Detective 27 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerhbohm), also Detective 27 reportedly offered for $2,000 by Jon Campbell (per UPI) and Burl Rowe also was reported by the AP to have purchased a Superman 1 for $2,000 at the last day of that years Houstoncon, finally incomplete MPFW sold for $2000;

 

[Aside: 1974 UPI article state Bob Crestohl was offered $4,000 for his Action 1 (which he bought in 1973 for $1,500), but he turned it down -- although he was willing to sell his Detective 27 for $2,500];

 

1979 - Marvel Comics 1 for $13,000 (bought by Snyder as reported by AP);

 

Early 80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $17,500 (by Snyder to Geppi);

 

1984 - Action 1 for $25,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

*[Aside: mid-80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $82,000? (Bought by Verzyl, but this is a controversial contender, and based on comments on this board about this being part of a 3,000 book purchase, and the lack of any media claim to a record, I think this probably should not be viewed as a record purchase)];

 

1990 - Allentown Detective #27 $82,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

[Aside: 1991 - Detective 27 for $55,000 (sold by Sotheby's to Harold Anderson - denoted in media reports as record for comic sold at auction)];

 

1992 - Action 1 for $82,500 (sold by Sotheby's as reported in media);

 

1994 - Detective #27 $101,000 (seller or buyer? As reported by Rob's site);

 

[Aside: 1994 - Action 1 for $54,625 (sold by Sotheby's and denoted in media reports as highest price for a restored comic)];

 

1995 - Action 1 for $137,500 (sold by PCE to Daniel Kramer);

 

[Aside: 1995 - Whiz 2 for $176,000 (media reports exist of this purchase by Geppi from Dave Anderson, but board members say it was a trade deal);

 

2000 - Allentown Captain America #1 for $265,000 (bought by Verzyl);

 

2001 - Detective 27 for $278,210 (sold by Mastro);

 

2002 - Marvel Comics 1 for $350,000 (sold to Jay Parrino by Steve Geppi);

 

2010 - Action 1 for $1,000,000, few days later D27 for $1.075 million, followed by Action 1 for $1.5 million.

 

The time when Single Series 20 (Tarzan), Large Feature 5 (Tarzan), Feature Book 25 (Flash Gordon) and 26 (Prince Valiant), and Four Color 10 (Flash Gordon) were top books was in the 50s through mid 60s -- the dawn of the hobby. Action 1, Whiz 2, Tec 27, MC 1, Supes 1, Bats 1 were also top books during that time and they were all $100 books.

 

 

 

I will add another angle to why Superman, Batman and Marvel Über keys are in way more demand, then Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Prince Valiant keys is because Marvel and DC have done a much better job of keeping their top characters in the public eye, then Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc and King Features Syndicate have.

The good news is it looks like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc and King Features Syndicate have woke up to the goldmines they have been sitting on all these years, as both Tarzan and Flash Gordon have big rebooted blockbuster movies on the way! (thumbs u

 

TARZAN 2016 MOVIE WARNER

 

FLASH GORDON MOVIE FOX

 

The Tarzan "white man in the jungle" premise should go over just gangbusters with a modern audience. Of course, they'll likely change it in all sorts of ways to make it more palatable, that should annoy everyone evenly.

 

yes.. it should pose a few marketing challenges. Maybe they'll just call the film ZAN, (or was TAR the part than meant "white"?) you know shorten it like they did with JOHN CARTER WARLORD OF MARS so people wouldn't know it was a stupid martian space story!

 

 

[ComicConnoisseur]

I've been told that once upon a time Prince Valiant and Tarzan beat both....just what I've heard,but in the 1970s these(Action,Detective) were not the most sought after.

And my vote would have leaned towards Marvel #1.....no mention of that lil book today really.

 

Based on what I've seen in old media reports it was never the Foster covers. From an old post in which I was compiling some info on record prices paid:

 

 

1965 - Action Comics 1 for $250 (as reported by AP);

 

1968 - Marvel Comics 1 for $330 (by Howard Rogolfsky as reported by the AP, but not with reference to a record);

 

[Aside: 1969 - Captain Marvel 1 for $150 (reported by AP).]

 

1973 - Action 1 for $1,000 (by Bruce Hamilton per AP, from Gene Henderson per Robert Beerbohm), Action 1 for $1,500 (bought by Theo Hostein from Hamilton as reported by Mitch Mehdy) followed by same book for $1,801.26 (bought by Mehdy from Holstein as widely reported in the media), also Action 1 for $1,800 (claim by Jon Campbell per UPI report - not sure if he was connected to Hamilton or not);

 

1974 - $2,000 for Whiz 2 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerbohm), $2,200 for Detective 27 sold by Comics & Comix to Burl Rowe (per Robert Beerhbohm), also Detective 27 reportedly offered for $2,000 by Jon Campbell (per UPI) and Burl Rowe also was reported by the AP to have purchased a Superman 1 for $2,000 at the last day of that years Houstoncon, finally incomplete MPFW sold for $2000;

 

[Aside: 1974 UPI article state Bob Crestohl was offered $4,000 for his Action 1 (which he bought in 1973 for $1,500), but he turned it down -- although he was willing to sell his Detective 27 for $2,500];

 

1979 - Marvel Comics 1 for $13,000 (bought by Snyder as reported by AP);

 

Early 80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $17,500 (by Snyder to Geppi);

 

1984 - Action 1 for $25,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

*[Aside: mid-80s - Marvel Comics 1 for $82,000? (Bought by Verzyl, but this is a controversial contender, and based on comments on this board about this being part of a 3,000 book purchase, and the lack of any media claim to a record, I think this probably should not be viewed as a record purchase)];

 

1990 - Allentown Detective #27 $82,000 (bought by Dave Anderson);

 

[Aside: 1991 - Detective 27 for $55,000 (sold by Sotheby's to Harold Anderson - denoted in media reports as record for comic sold at auction)];

 

1992 - Action 1 for $82,500 (sold by Sotheby's as reported in media);

 

1994 - Detective #27 $101,000 (seller or buyer? As reported by Rob's site);

 

[Aside: 1994 - Action 1 for $54,625 (sold by Sotheby's and denoted in media reports as highest price for a restored comic)];

 

1995 - Action 1 for $137,500 (sold by PCE to Daniel Kramer);

 

[Aside: 1995 - Whiz 2 for $176,000 (media reports exist of this purchase by Geppi from Dave Anderson, but board members say it was a trade deal);

 

2000 - Allentown Captain America #1 for $265,000 (bought by Verzyl);

 

2001 - Detective 27 for $278,210 (sold by Mastro);

 

2002 - Marvel Comics 1 for $350,000 (sold to Jay Parrino by Steve Geppi);

 

2010 - Action 1 for $1,000,000, few days later D27 for $1.075 million, followed by Action 1 for $1.5 million.

 

The time when Single Series 20 (Tarzan), Large Feature 5 (Tarzan), Feature Book 25 (Flash Gordon) and 26 (Prince Valiant), and Four Color 10 (Flash Gordon) were top books was in the 50s through mid 60s -- the dawn of the hobby. Action 1, Whiz 2, Tec 27, MC 1, Supes 1, Bats 1 were also top books during that time and they were all $100 books.

 

 

 

I will add another angle to why Superman, Batman and Marvel Über keys are in way more demand, then Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Prince Valiant keys is because Marvel and DC have done a much better job of keeping their top characters in the public eye, then Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc and King Features Syndicate have.

The good news is it looks like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc and King Features Syndicate have woke up to the goldmines they have been sitting on all these years, as both Tarzan and Flash Gordon have big rebooted blockbuster movies on the way! (thumbs u

 

TARZAN 2016 MOVIE WARNER

 

FLASH GORDON MOVIE FOX

 

True, but I really think those books were keys more because of the artwork than the characters. But by the mid-60s the Marvel superhero boom was fully underway and that fueled the interest in the "First Heroic Age" -- that's when the GA superhero keys started to separate from the herd.

Good points. Another angle to add to the fire I think might be is that somewhere around 1980 or 1981 might be significant as Flash Gordon, Tarzan and the Lone Ranger all came out around that time with new movies that all bombed at the box office compared to the Christopher Reeves Superman movies 1 and 2.

I think right about then is when Superman started to be taken serious by the modern mainstream audience. Batman had more of a similar fate in 1989 with his big blockbuster. Hence Superman and Batman were in with modern mainstream as cool and iconic since then, while some of the others iconic stars have faded.

[lou_fine]

Without a doubt or any second thoughts, I would definitely take the Action 1 over the 'Tec 27 since it will always be seen as the first one and the start of the super-heroes.

 

And just as certain, if not more, I would take most definitely take the Detective 28 over the Action 2 when it comes to second issues. I must be alone in my thinking here as the Action seems to be worth almost twice as much in the OS guide if this is any indication of market valuation (which it often is not).

[PovertyRow]

I chose the last option: "60+ Tec 27". Mainly because I have owned an Action 1 but never the Tec 27.

[Phantalien]

I chose Detective 27 because I am more of a Batman fan. Personally there are a lot of other books I would like to have instead of the two mentioned. But I guess that is for another thread...

[gcwatson94]

I voted, but didn't post my thoughts. I would love to have either, but neither would stay for long. The amount of money either can fetch, would better serve me in the long run. If I found one or both the detective 27, would stay in my collection, for much longer than the action 1. I appreciate that superman, brought about the super hero age, but I don't really care for him. Batman on the other hand, is and will forever be, IMO, be the man. No other character can touch him, in my eyes.

[markseifert]

From what I gather, $100 seems to have been a psychologcal barrier for a long time until Action 1 broke it -- much like the $1M barrier a few years ago -- then they took off. I guess the $1000 barrier in the early 70s might have been similar. It seems like Action 1 is the book that almost always breaks those psychological price barrier, except for 100K.

 

Here's something interesting,..

 

A record comic sale had reached...

 

The 3 figure mark by the 1960s.

The 4 figure mark by the 1970s.

The 5 figure mark by the 1980s. (a bit before, actually)

The 6 figure mark by the 1990s.

The 7 figure mark by the 2010s.

 

***

 

As we know, much of the 2000s were a plateau in the context of the history of the market, in terms of the top record sale.

 

Rob made a point in another thread that some of the truly big books (higher grade Action 1 and Tec 27) were out of play, at least publicly, for much of that period. It's interesting that that coincides with the beginning of the CGC era.

 

Think we'll break the 8 figure mark by the 2020s? Impossible to say, but hard to bet against it based on recent history.

 

But then it gets interesting. How long can the record keep pace with the curve that the past 50 years of market data suggests? Will we be looking at a $100 million dollar comic around the 2030s/2040s era? Impossible to say, but looking at the total record curve 1960s-2014 is fascinating.

[Wayne-Tec]

Fantastic data Mark.

[VintageComics]

But then it gets interesting. How long can the record keep pace with the curve that the past 50 years of market data suggests? Will we be looking at a $100 million dollar comic around the 2030s/2040s era? Impossible to say, but looking at the total record curve 1960s-2014 is fascinating.

 

I guess that is going to depend on what the $US does over the next 30 years.

[Bronty]

I think I'd like the Action 1 based on it's history but if I were picking based on character I'd easily take the Tec 27

that's how I voted. But if it came down to it, I think I'd pick history.

 

+1

 

I also like that Action 1 includes the origin, has a longer Supes story than the Batman story in Tec 27 (13 pages vs. 6 pages), and IMO the Action 1 cover is more iconic than the Tec 27 cover. Put the origin story in Tec 27 and replace the cover with that of Tec 31 and it would be a much tougher choice for me...

 

I'm 38 and not that into either character. I appreciate both characters but haven't read a batman or superman comic in a long time. I'd love an action 1 and don't really care about tec 27.

 

I think guys like me that don't really care for either character want action 1. Many one who is really into batman will prefer tec 27.

[AnkurJ]

The trimmed Action 1 on clink went for much more than I expected.

[Speedy-D]

I picked 40-49 Action 1.

 

'Tec 27 is way cooler, Action 1 is way awesomer.