Forgotten photos. Random stuff from a lost file... 3 3

[N e r V]

 

Theo Holstein: MAD, Barks, and His Collectibles Perspective 

When it comes to lifelong collectors, few can boast over fifty years of memorabilia and the knowledge that goes with it. Theo Holstein is among those well versed collectors. He has been a comic character fan and collector since 1955 when he was still under ten years-old. His beloved hobby began while he was attending a mountain home junior camp where one of the campers was charging other children money to read his MAD pocket book. Because it was their sole source of entertainment, the other campers jumped on the chance. As Theo remembered, “I was exposed to it and became so interested in having something like that that after the camp was over I ordered a set of five of them.”

Holstein started out with the What Me Worry? MAD paperbacks and is now collecting turn of the century penny arcade machines and cast iron or papier mâché figures, among other things. When asked about his collecting habits he simply put it, “I only buy what I like.”

There is, however, at least one piece that got away. The piece that he has always wanted, but has yet to buy, is the first MAD What Me Worry? cover featuring Alfred E. Neuman in his first appearance on the cover. The piece was part of the MAD auction that was recently held. Before this sale, the art had been sold for $20,000, but this time around it went for $203,000.

Being a key part of the collectibles industry, Holstein has a few ideas about different collectibles’ worth. Regarding what he expects to rise in value, Holstein responded, “That’s hard to say. Hopefully the things I like! But, there is no such thing as a sure thing.” He expects it to be original cartoon art, such as illustration art and anything to do with comic character art. This trend has been steady throughout the past 30-40 years as Theo believes the most valuable collectible from the 1970s and ‘80s is original Carl Barks oil paintings.

When it comes to comics, Theo loves Superman #1 from 1939, which he believes is the most undervalued comic book. When asked why, Holstein said, “It’s Superman’s first appearance in his own comic book, making it historic. I think it’s the first appearance of any superhero in his/her own comic. It’s like the Honus Wagner baseball card, it’s the ultimate, ultimate comic book.”

It’s easy to see that Barks is one of his favorites, considering his favorite collectibles include his Carl Barks paintings, Norman Mingo MAD paintings, and 1904 penny arcade machines. Though he does feel that it is impossible to say which is his absolute favorite. He is sure, however, that “Porky Pig of the Mounties” is, “the star of my Barks collection. I have always wanted it since I saw it on the cover of the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide in the 1970s. I still can’t believe I finally actually own it.” That painting, along with “Mardi Gras Before the Thaw,” “Hands Off My Playthings,” “Bullet Valley,” and “Voo Doo Land” round out his picks for the five best Carl Barks paintings.

Unlike many fans, Theo had the opportunity to meet the man behind his prized collectibles. He knew Barks well and visited him and his wife every month on the weekends in the 1970s. What does Holstein think of the Good Duck Artist? “He was a happy man and loved his work. He wasn’t really talkative, and I think all of his emotions were talked about in his paintings. He was very expressive in his artwork and his stories. I may call him an introvert, but an extrovert when it comes to his artwork.”

Along with getting to know this legendary artist, Theo met Velma Dawson, the creator of Howdy Doody. He also praised her saying, “She was a very humble elegant lady. She was an artist in her own right. She created something that really was historical. It really changed all of our lives. I think the show had an effect on everyone who watched it, along with the toys and the memorabilia. She was an important part of my life and most of my generation. She was not a person I would say that was outgoing, but she was certainly very kind and a respectful person.” He added, “I have always been a Howdy Doody fan. I want to thank Velma Dawson, she made it possible for me to own her first Howdy Doody puppet and the first ever produced, for the NBC historic Howdy Doody show.”

John Snyder, President of Geppi’s Entertainment, who has been interacting with Holstein since the 1970s considers him one of the best, realist comic characters of the industry, “I remember when I first talked to Theo back in 1974, and his perspective on the value of comic books is unprecedented. He called the shot; he said back then what they would be worth now. He has always been an interesting person to talk to about the history of comic characters. He has owned some of the best comic character artifacts that exist and he recently bought the Porky Pig painting from us. I agree him that it is one of the best paintings Barks ever did.”

With these relationships, and his knowledge of the collecting industry, Holstein will no doubt continue being an important part of comic character collecting through his purchases and contributions.

[hippiecop]

[N e r V]

On May 24, 1964, at the Hotel Tuller, teenagers Robert Brosch and Dave Szurekorganized a Detroit-based convention for about 80 fans of the comic book medium. Jerry Bails, the "father of comics fandom," was on the organizing committee, along with members of the Michigan Science Fiction Society (the so-called "Misfits.")

The next year Bails and local comics enthusiast Shel Dorf took over the event, christening it the Detroit Triple Fan Fair (referring to fantasy literature, fantasy films, and comic art) and organizing it as an annual event (although no show was held in 1966). The board of the initial official Detroit Triple Fan Fair consisted of Bails, Carl Lundgren, Tom Altschuler, Ed April, Noel Cooper, Gary Crowdus, Howard Devore, Marvin Giles, Dennis Kowicki, Larry Larson, and Eugene Seeger. Robert Brosch, an authority on horror films, also stayed involved with the DTFF in various capacities at least through 1970.

The first official DTFF took place July 24–25, 1965, at the Embassy Hotel in Detroit. Film showings included Lon Chaney's Phantom of the Opera and admission charge was $2.00 for both days.

In what soon became a trend, aspiring local comic book creators flocked to the early events, and often became involved with organizing the show each year. For instance, the then-18-year-old Carl Lundgren was co-chairman of the 1965 DTFF, and Rich Buckler also attended the initial shows as a teenager, eventually "running things." Arvell Jones recalls many members of the so-called "Detroit Mob" making appearances at various shows, including Buckler, Greg Theakston, Tom Orzechowski, Keith Pollard, Jim Starlin, Mike Vosburg, Al Milgrom, Terry Austin, and Michael Netzer (Nasser). The reputation of the convention was such that a number of other industry professionals would appear at the event unbilled.

Among the films screened at the 1969 show were the Boris Karloff films The Mummy, Frankenstein, and The Bells. Letterer Ken Bruzenak attended the 1969 convention, where he met his hero Jim Steranko, and also crossed paths with future collaborator Howard Chaykin for the first time.

Co-founder Dorf left Detroit and the DTFF for Southern California in late 1969, where he shortly founded what became the San Diego Comic-Con.

 

Edited December 29, 2017 by N e r V

[Robot Man]

From my grandmother back in the '70's. I recognize her hand writing. She was a big antique collector and encouraged me to collect comics.

[Robot Man]

Article from the mid 1980's about the SDCC. Redbeard always had the "stuff". We had a lot of fun back in the day...

[Yellow Kid]

I went to the Houston Cons of the early 1970's and they were great!  We'd drive over from New Orleans with some friends, drop our wives off at the Galleria, and spend the day at the con.  When the day was over, we'd pick up our wives, eat dinner at Ninfa's, and then go to The House of Pie for dessert.  It was such a wonderful weekend that it became an annual event for us

[Mr bla bla]

2 hours ago, Yellow Kid said:

I went to the Houston Cons of the early 1970's and they were great!  We'd drive over from New Orleans with some friends, drop our wives off at the Galleria, and spend the day at the con.  When the day was over, we'd pick up our wives, eat dinner at Ninfa's, and then go to The House of Pie for dessert.  It was such a wonderful weekend that it became an annual event for us

Sounds really nice.

[Robot Man]

Anybody remember the Wooleys auctions? I picked up Crime Does Not Pay #24 for the huge price of $24. back in the day.

[jimjum12]

12 minutes ago, Robot Man said:

Anybody remember the Wooleys auctions? I picked up Crime Does Not Pay #24 for the huge price of $24. back in the day.

I've got a couple of their old catalogs floating around...... GOD BLESS...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

[Surfing Alien]

I'll trade you my Tarzan B &W #5 in VF for your Poor Superman #1...  You're getting the better condition on equal comics in the deal...

Edited January 4, 2018 by Surfing Alien

[Duffman_Comics]

2 hours ago, Robot Man said:

Anybody remember the Wooleys auctions? I picked up Crime Does Not Pay #24 for the huge price of $24. back in the day.

 

 

I really appreciate old auction catalogues that the attendee has taken the time to note what lots sold and for how much.

I also know that this will test you, Bob - was the "Buyer's Premium" in operation?  I know Christie's and Sotheby's started in 1975 but there was a lot of resistance by "smaller" auction houses (they saw it as an advantage to attracting buyers from the big guys).

Quote

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 4, 2018 by Duffman_Comics

[Robot Man]

On 1/3/2018 at 9:10 PM, Duffman_Comics said:

I really appreciate old auction catalogues that the attendee has taken the time to note what lots sold and for how much.

I also know that this will test you, Bob - was the "Buyer's Premium" in operation?  I know Christie's and Sotheby's started in 1975 but there was a lot of resistance by "smaller" auction houses (they saw it as an advantage to attracting buyers from the big guys).

 

I wrote the prices realized in the catalogues. They sent a list of the previous results with the newest catalog. No buyer's premium that I remember.

[Robot Man]

A few more old comic catalogs from the good 'ole daze...

[Yellow Kid]

16 hours ago, Robot Man said:

I wrote the prices realized in the catalogues. They sent a list of the previous results with the newest catalog. No buyer's premium that I remember.

I have a set of the Wooley catalogs and didn't see any mention of a buyer's premium in any of them.

[GACollectibles]

On the wall in Casa de la Punxes, Barcelona

[N e r V]

San Diego Comic Con 1973-75.

Shel Dorf and June Foray.

David Cody Weiss (far left, background), Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, Mike Friedrich, Bernie Lansky, Ed Nizyborski, ?, Bill Lund 

Carmine Infantino (left), June Foray, and Shel Dorf at Cabrillo National Monument 

Carmine Infantino (left), Richard Butner

Mike Royer 

Steve Schanes 

Neal Adams

Brinke Stevens as Vampirella 1974 

The first meeting of F.O.O.M. (Friends Of Ol’ Marvel) with Roy Thomas (front, 2nd from right), Dan Whitworth (front, 3rd from left), John McGeehan (3rd row back, behind Roy) 

Russ Manning (with drawing of Tarzan)

 

[N e r V]

San Diego Comic Con 1973-1975 (Continued)

Brad Anderson (with drawing of Marmaduke) 

Star*Reach Panel – From left, Jim Harmon, Frank Brunner, and Mike Friedrich 

Star*Reach Panel – From left, Frank Brunner, Mike Friedrich, Don Glut, and Tom Orzechowski 

Don Newton and son 

Masquerade – Roger Freedman as M.C. (standing); seated in front, from Roger’s right, Forrest Ackerman, Roy Thomas, Jack Kirby, Bjo Trimble (behind Kirby), and Kirk Alyn; on the left, the white-haired woman looking up at Roger is Forrest’s wife, Wendayne Ackerman. Walter Koenig is directly below the MC. 

Dave Stevens

Charles Schulz 1975 

Will Eisner & Gil Kane at Comic-Con’s Dealers Room at the El Cortez 

Jim Steranko promoting his graphic novel – Chandler 

Chuck Norris & Stan Lee 

Chuck Norris & Jack Kirby

 

 

[jhutton2]

This thread is so much awesomeness it should be illegal ?

[BlowUpTheMoon]

On 12/29/2017 at 1:41 AM, N e r V said:

[Tri-Color Brian]

Edited January 20, 2018 by Tri-ColorBrian