ThothAmon Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 2 minutes ago, Robot Man said: A Tale of two flea market Batman #1's. One that got away, and one that didn't... A mention in the flea market finds over in general and discussions with a few collectors recently convinced me to post this. I haven't wanted to mention it because A) I didn't want to brag, B) I didn't want to get hit by all the "ethics" beaters and C) I figured no one would believe me anyway... About 25 years ago I awoke early on a Sunday morning to go "junking" as I usually do. It was a drizzly, cold January morning. I thought about rolling over and going back to sleep but figured I was up so what the heck. You never know. Pulled into the Rose Bowl parking lot and started walking around. Due to the weather, I didn't expect much (especially paper). I picked up a few minor things (not worth getting up for) and then I saw them... On the end of a dealer's table were two small piles of old GA comics. Made a beeline over to them. There was already a teenage kid looking at one pile so I grabbed the other one. Nice, early stuff and a good mix. My pile consisted mostly of early Dell and Strip Reprints but a few superhero mixed in. I pulled out a Cap in the teens, an early Pep and a couple others. Asked the lady the price and she said $5.00 each "They are old!". OK, worth a second look. As I was looking, I watched what the kid was getting. Most of the superheros were in his pile. Lots of DCs mostly but the occasional Timely, MLJ, Fox ect. Looking back and forth I then heard a quiet gasp. I looked over and there it was...That bright yellow cover with Batman and Robin swinging toward you and that magical single digit number in the upper left corner. Our eyes were both like saucers and he quickly slid it over into his pile. My heart sank. Everything looked like junk after that. We switched piles and I got a few he left Flash, Green Lantern, Marvel Mystery. He counted them up and realized he didn't have enough money for all of them so a couple Actions and Detectives went back. I quickly scooped them up. We paid the nice lady who even offered us a small discount since we bough a few. We walked off on air and proceeded to go under a big tree for cover. He pulled out the Bat #1 and we both thumbed it is disbelief. I told him if he wanted to make a quck profit and I would pay him some more for it and throw in a few he threw back but he was no fool and I didn't blame him. I told him nice find! and we parted. Over the years, I sold off or traded most for EC's which were my real passion anyway. No regrets except for one book. Flea markets, "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" Below is one of those $5.00 beauties. I might still have one or two more but they are buried in the collection in obscurity. Next time, the one that didn't get away! Can't lie. My heart was pounding reading your Batman 1 almost find. Those weird tales you bought, couldn't make out the condition? Great find. F For Fake 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttock Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 20 minutes ago, Robot Man said: A Tale of two flea market Batman #1's. One that got away, and one that didn't... A mention in the flea market finds over in general and discussions with a few collectors recently convinced me to post this. I haven't wanted to mention it because A) I didn't want to brag, B) I didn't want to get hit by all the "ethics" beaters and C) I figured no one would believe me anyway... About 25 years ago I awoke early on a Sunday morning to go "junking" as I usually do. It was a drizzly, cold January morning. I thought about rolling over and going back to sleep but figured I was up so what the heck. You never know. Pulled into the Rose Bowl parking lot and started walking around. Due to the weather, I didn't expect much (especially paper). I picked up a few minor things (not worth getting up for) and then I saw them... On the end of a dealer's table were two small piles of old GA comics. Made a beeline over to them. There was already a teenage kid looking at one pile so I grabbed the other one. Nice, early stuff and a good mix. My pile consisted mostly of early Dell and Strip Reprints but a few superhero mixed in. I pulled out a Cap in the teens, an early Pep and a couple others. Asked the lady the price and she said $5.00 each "They are old!". OK, worth a second look. As I was looking, I watched what the kid was getting. Most of the superheros were in his pile. Lots of DCs mostly but the occasional Timely, MLJ, Fox ect. Looking back and forth I then heard a quiet gasp. I looked over and there it was...That bright yellow cover with Batman and Robin swinging toward you and that magical single digit number in the upper left corner. Our eyes were both like saucers and he quickly slid it over into his pile. My heart sank. Everything looked like junk after that. We switched piles and I got a few he left Flash, Green Lantern, Marvel Mystery. He counted them up and realized he didn't have enough money for all of them so a couple Actions and Detectives went back. I quickly scooped them up. We paid the nice lady who even offered us a small discount since we bough a few. We walked off on air and proceeded to go under a big tree for cover. He pulled out the Bat #1 and we both thumbed it is disbelief. I told him if he wanted to make a quck profit and I would pay him some more for it and throw in a few he threw back but he was no fool and I didn't blame him. I told him nice find! and we parted. Over the years, I sold off or traded most for EC's which were my real passion anyway. No regrets except for one book. Flea markets, "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" Below is one of those $5.00 beauties. I might still have one or two more but they are buried in the collection in obscurity. Next time, the one that didn't get away! Type faster! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F For Fake Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 My heart actually skipped a beat reading this! Great story, now let's have the rest! STORMSHADOW_80 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STORMSHADOW_80 Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 Can't wait to read the next segment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yecul Posted May 3, 2017 Share Posted May 3, 2017 I am outraged!!! Excellent job on your part to tip the cap rather than trying to snake his deal. Sounds like you could have easily outbid him on this day. I have seen plenty of times the one outside the deal tried to weasel in. STORMSHADOW_80 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Man Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 First, it wasn't his deal. Only the pile he had his hands on. The other pile was just sitting there and open game. Not that I would have, but offering her more would not only be crappy to him but it would have tipped her off and neither one of us might get any. It was his lucky day. I'm no saint though. I did try and talk him out of it and some might say I took advantage of the seller. I have no guilt about it but a little sadness about my shot at a Bat 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOOT Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 3 hours ago, Robot Man said: First, it wasn't his deal. Only the pile he had his hands on. The other pile was just sitting there and open game. Not that I would have, but offering her more would not only be crappy to him but it would have tipped her off and neither one of us might get any. It was his lucky day. I'm no saint though. I did try and talk him out of it and some might say I took advantage of the seller. I have no guilt about it but a little sadness about my shot at a Bat 1. Thanks for sharing that great story. So bittersweet! To get a stack of great deals but to see the big one taken right before your eyes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2wdw Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 I don't think you did anything wrong. It's the seller's responsibility to know the value of what she's selling, not the buyers. On the other hand, here's what happened to me one time. This was over 25 years ago. I was dating a girl long distance so driving to her college. Along the way I stopped at a comic store. It was one of those stores that's not well organized, there were piles of comics everywhere, but everything was on sale. On top of 1 pile was Cerebus #1. Even back then Cerebus 1 was worth 100s. I asked the price. The teenage kid minding the store said he didn't know, but he shrugged and said $5. The kid was clearly not the owner, and I was sure the owner knew the value of the comic. I could have walked out of the store with Cerebus #1 for $5, but I knew I couldn't do that so I left the store without the comic. Since then I've managed to get a Cerebus #1, but for way more than $5. The difference between my story and yours, was you were dealing directly with the owner, and I wasn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Man Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 4 hours ago, n2wdw said: I don't think you did anything wrong. It's the seller's responsibility to know the value of what she's selling, not the buyers. On the other hand, here's what happened to me one time. This was over 25 years ago. I was dating a girl long distance so driving to her college. Along the way I stopped at a comic store. It was one of those stores that's not well organized, there were piles of comics everywhere, but everything was on sale. On top of 1 pile was Cerebus #1. Even back then Cerebus 1 was worth 100s. I asked the price. The teenage kid minding the store said he didn't know, but he shrugged and said $5. The kid was clearly not the owner, and I was sure the owner knew the value of the comic. I could have walked out of the store with Cerebus #1 for $5, but I knew I couldn't do that so I left the store without the comic. Since then I've managed to get a Cerebus #1, but for way more than $5. The difference between my story and yours, was you were dealing directly with the owner, and I wasn't. You did the right thing, but... It was the owner's responsibility to make sure his inventory was organized and priced accordingly. Maybe even the owner didn't realize it was an expensive book. Is it your responsibility to inform him? You have to do your due dillegence and put in the work and time. If you don't and somebody else does, they deserve to be rewarded for their efforts. I read these boards, I track auctions and pay attention to the market on many different collectibles and antiques. I get up very early in the morning and sacrifice my free time to educate myself. I feel I deserve to be rewarded once in a while for the hard work I put into this. Nuff said... STORMSHADOW_80 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STORMSHADOW_80 Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Robot Man said: You did the right thing, but... It was the owner's responsibility to make sure his inventory was organized and priced accordingly. Maybe even the owner didn't realize it was an expensive book. Is it your responsibility to inform him? You have to do your due dillegence and put in the work and time. If you don't and somebody else does, they deserve to be rewarded for their efforts. I read these boards, I track auctions and pay attention to the market on many different collectibles and antiques. I get up very early in the morning and sacrifice my free time to educate myself. I feel I deserve to be rewarded once in a while for the hard work I put into this. Nuff said... Well said. Sometimes people don't realize how many times you strike out comic/collectible hunting. We may find the good stuff every now and then, but so many times I've gotten up early in the dark or just driving around everywhere and don't find anything. Edited May 4, 2017 by STORMSHADOW_80 additonal info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Man Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 A Tale of two flea market Batman #1's. One that got away, and one that didn't... (Part 2 (the good part) Yesterday, I related my sad story of missing out on one of the best books a collector could hope to own. Not very often do you get a second chance, but this was mine... Fast forward maybe 10 years later. My wife (an antique dealer) and I were wandering the isles of the Long Beach Flea Market early in the morning. It had already been a steller day for me. I had managed to buy a very early large Aesops Fables cartoon character doll from the late 1920's as well as a small cigar box full of very early political buttons. I was feeling good and glad I got up. We passed by a 6' long table that was completely covered with MAD paperback books. Wow, I'd never seen so many at one time. I'm a MADman but don't really collect them. I said something to the seller about them. He told me he wasn't a collector but had been a garage sale buyer for years and just like to read. He asked me if I liked MAD magazines and I said yes. He then produced a box from under the table full of them. Most were not very old but I did manage to pull out a couple in the #20's-30's and a nice #7. Nothing major but fun for a flea market. I asked him if he had any comics. He said sure he had some "crappy" ones and handed me a box. First one on top was a coverless strip reprint book. I could see more of those large GA ones below it. I found a few more and then a Detective! Getting better. Then, there it was... "The Legend of the Batman and how he came to be" Whoah! My hands were a little shakey as I quickly thumbed the pages. It was coverless, but it was a Bat #1. All the while the seller was telling me the stuff was from garage sales and he wanted to dump it all because he was moving out of state. A couple more coverless ones and then...a nice fat Shadow comic with a skull cover. Yes, with a cover. The rest all had covers and were decent shape. Another Shadow, a Whiz, a nice Fight with a WWII torture cover. Knees were a little shakey now. Then there it was a nice bright yellow Superman #13 with Supes pounding a Nazi sub. A few more and even a couple of 1950's books. I just don't see stuff like this just laying in a box very often. Then, the moment of truth. I mixed them up a bit putting a couple of the lessor coverless ones on top and asked the price... He thumbed the stack without really looking. He might have been counting, I don't know because my mind was racing. He looked up and said "How about 5?" $500. I was thinking about it and quietly asked my wife if she could spot me an extra $200. She slipped into my jacket pocket. I thought what the heck, "Could you do any better?" I'll never forget his response. "What is $5.00 too much?". My mouth probably hit the ground I really don't remember much as I fished a ten out of my wallet and handed it to him. He gave me my change and asked if I wanted a bag. I think I mumbled "sure" and got the heck down the isle. My wife still laughs at me about it. I'm always cool but she thought I was going to lose it. Postscript. Walking down the isle on air, I bumped into a fellow comic fan and shared my loot. I flipped him a few Fawcetts for a later trade. He asked if the guy had any more. You know, I hadn't asked. I left my bag with a dealer friend and we headed back. I was a little nervous thinking maybe somebody tipped him off but went anyway. That was it, no more comics. My friend collects "girly" and pin up mags so he asked the guy. The guy pointed to a box and said there were some "porno" mags in there. On top were a couple of '60's era Playboys. No big deal but then the fun started. Under those were a nice pile of Titter, Wink, Beauty Parade and other nice late 1940's pinup and girly mags. Bettie Page covers, strippers ect. My buddy said how much for all of them. The guy took a look and said "oh, these are pretty good". "How about $20.?". Out came the money and the bag and we were on our way. Postscript 2: We bumped into a local guy that also buys comics that I don't like very much. He had to rub it in. "Did you see the guy with all the MAD pb's? Well don't bother, I cleaned him out" As bad as I wanted to, I didn't say a word... STORMSHADOW_80, snitzer and porcupine48 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Man Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
podboy66 Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 6 minutes ago, Robot Man said: Great books and story! Thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine48 Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Made my day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Man Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 Thanks guys, mine too. There is still hope... Now, being a 50 year veteran of flea markets, cons, garage sales and estate sales, I've got a few more cool stories up my sleeve. But if you want to hear any more, you gotta post your stories. Don't be shy or embarrased. Make us drool and celebrate your hard work and good luck. Come on Bedrock, Mitch and the rest of you "old timers" you know you got secrets, sill 'em! This is what is the best part of being a collector. Tbone911t 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagii Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Great story (and books)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archiefan Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Wonderful story RM!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bird Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Thank you for posting the stories, and the comics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Man Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 My pleasure. If you like stuff like this (and what red blooded comic collector doesn't), you should pick up a copy of the book "Between the Panels". I have read it many times and just couldn't put it down. One of the best books on comic fandom. Ever wonder about all those books with the "Bonnetts" stamps on them and wonder why David T Alexander has so many? How about the massive GA deal that Malcolm Willits of Collector's Book store managed to pull off. All the early personalities of comic fandom are in here. Highly recomended. If you give me a few of your stories, maybe I'll tell you about the "Rex Parker" collection or my "cover price" collection buy of early Marvels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bird Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 I myself really have no great stories as I never really collected comics. I was comic art for a few decades and now dabble in comics. I started that figuring I had picked up enough knowledge to make it work but now I know how little I know. Closest I can come to a decent story is my first collection buy 2 years ago. Put together from flea market stock, it was about 2000 comics (mostly modern), magazines and esoterica. I had a great sales thread in mixed with a ton of it. I went and looked it over and made a cherry pick offer for the New Mutants 80-100 or so. He wanted $1000 for the whole lot and I offered $300 for these here 20 books. There was the seller and his buddy. The seller took the pile and looked them over as I stood and talked to his buddy. He didn't want to break them up so I had made a strong offer to be on my way. He agreed and I took the pile and left. When I got home there was no 87, which I know was there when I handed them to him. That ate at me and a few weeks later I went back and made a deal for the rest but that 87 was not to be found. The 98 graded at 9.4 but I felt bummed about missing that 87 as well. I ended up making nice profit on the buy and still have a short box of Superman 400, tons of Blade Runner 1 and 2, 50+ Bloodshot 1s and such. I may buy one or some of these this weekend though. Not at great deals even but they have been calling to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
