WTB Usagi Yojimbo

[TMNT]

With 2015 here, I'd really like to scratch a major want off my list. I know this is probably a shot in the dark, but I'd love to land a nice Usagi Yojimbo piece, preferably a cover or one of that quality. Thanks!

[Eric Seffinga]

I just "sold" a pretty brilliant one. Was an inside cover to the Wanderer's Road storyline hardcover. I put sold in quotes, because the nugget head hasn't paid me yet. I've owned (and sold) 3 UY covers, and this was better than any of them, IMO. Kind of a bummer to let go, but didn't fit with the rest of my collection unfortunately. I try to curate some.

 

A link, if you were curious...

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1178406

 

 

[Matches_Malone]

Does Sakai's Usagi Art come to the open market often? They do intrigue me as well. I don't follow it often, but when I do look, nothing seems to be available. I saw one for Sale in Moy's website, but it was gone immediately. Are they that rare?

[Eric Seffinga]

They really don't come up often at all. I bought my covers direct from Stan, but that was more than 10 years back. 2of the pieces I sold went to Japan, and one to Europe. I think Stan has a following in the States, but it is at least as big if not bigger on the international market.

 

The pieces don't tend to hang around very long.

There were 3 recent covers that just sold in a Heritage auction not too long back. So not really nostalgia type pieces. They also featured War of the Worlds type aliens attacking Japan, which is a bit of an oddity in the Usagi narrative. Pretty sure they were from a one off. A bit like the Space Usagi stuff. A chance for Stan to mix it up. but not really what he is most beloved for (traditional feudal Japanese type tales). Anyway, you'd have to look them up but I want to say each of those three covers went in the $3k plus range, for what I thought was less desirable material.

 

There are some big time Usagi collectors out there too though. Guys with dozens of covers. Stan's had some real cult following for ages.

 

I've never seen it happen with my own eyes, but have heard of offers for some of the earlier covers in the lower 5 figure range.

 

Aha. Found them...

http://comics.ha.com/itm/original-comic-art/stan-sakai-usagi-yojimbo-senso-1-wraparound-cover-original-art-dark-horse-2014-/a/7099-92337.s

 

http://comics.ha.com/itm/original-comic-art/stan-sakai-usagi-yojimbo-senso-2-wraparound-cover-original-art-dark-horse-2014-/a/7099-92338.s

 

http://comics.ha.com/itm/original-comic-art/stan-sakai-usagi-yojimbo-senso-3-wraparound-cover-original-art-dark-horse-2014-/a/7099-92339.s

 

 

[TMNT]

I just "sold" a pretty brilliant one. Was an inside cover to the Wanderer's Road storyline hardcover. I put sold in quotes, because the nugget head hasn't paid me yet. I've owned (and sold) 3 UY covers, and this was better than any of them, IMO. Kind of a bummer to let go, but didn't fit with the rest of my collection unfortunately. I try to curate some.

 

A link, if you were curious...

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1178406

 

 

Yes, that one is VERY nice! I happened to see it just after the ebay auction ended...

[Eric Seffinga]

Heh. The buyer's ears must have been burning. Just got paid for it.

Also, FWIW, it's going to Denmark. Another one leaves the States...

 

I checked to see if any of the bigger Usagi Collectors were on CAF, and only saw one collection that has some dreamy early pieces. The others don't do CAF apparently. Good luck on the hunt!

[Matches_Malone]

Heh. The buyer's ears must have been burning. Just got paid for it.

Also, FWIW, it's going to Denmark. Another one leaves the States...

 

I checked to see if any of the bigger Usagi Collectors were on CAF, and only saw one collection that has some dreamy early pieces. The others don't do CAF apparently. Good luck on the hunt!

 

..Its amazing what happens when others show a little bit of interest.

[innocuous]

You have to catch Stan at a show. He usually brings his more recent work. That's how I got my cover last year at ECCC.