Popular Post Moondog Posted February 22, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 22, 2022 Hi Everyone. After nearly 40 years I've decided to sell my last 4 ashcans - Superman Comics, Superwoman, Superboy and Supergirl. I never thought the day would come when I would sell, but as I get older I keenly understand that nothing is forever. I consigned them to the April Heritage auction. I'll never forget that moment in November 1985 at a Chicago Mini-con when Joe Desris handed me a small stack of books that Sol Harrison had given him. In that stack was Superman Comics and Wonder Woman. They sported black and white covers! What was I looking at? "Ashcans, Gary," Joe said. And from that moment I was hooked. I wanted to learn WHAT they were. WHY they were. WHERE they came from and WHO created them. After purchasing the first batch I bought an additional 30 over the next 2 years. Then I started buying them wherever I could find them eventually owning 40 or so issues. Those of you who know me understand the passion I've had for these books. Their journey from cool pop culture curiosities to finally being recognized as important historical documents was a long one, but one that I was willing to travel. I've truly enjoyed being the only person on the entire planet to own this set of comics. Now it's time to move on and let the next generation of collectors care for them. october, 143ksk, drbanner and 44 others 45 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PopKulture Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 On 2/21/2022 at 11:21 PM, Moondog said: Hi Everyone. After nearly 40 years I've decided to sell my last 4 ashcans - Superman Comics, Superwoman, Superboy and Supergirl. I never thought the day would come when I would sell, but as I get older I keenly understand that nothing is forever. I consigned them to the April Heritage auction. I'll never forget that moment in November 1985 at a Chicago Mini-con when Joe Desris handed me a small stack of books that Sol Harrison had given him. In that stack was Superman Comics and Wonder Woman. They sported black and white covers! What was I looking at? "Ashcans, Gary," Joe said. And from that moment I was hooked. I wanted to learn WHAT they were. WHY they were. WHERE they came from and WHO created them. After purchasing the first batch I bought an additional 30 over the next 2 years. Then I started buying them wherever I could find them eventually owning 40 or so issues. Those of you who know me understand the passion I've had for these books. Their journey from cool pop culture curiosities to finally being recognized as important historical documents was a long one, but one that I was willing to travel. I've truly enjoyed being the only person on the entire planet to own this set of comics. Now it's time to move on and let the next generation of collectors care for them. It sounds like you're doing it on your terms, which is itself a great thing. It will be very interesting to see what sort of interest they attract. Randall Dowling, Moondog and tth2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tth2 Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 On 2/22/2022 at 1:21 PM, Moondog said: I never thought the day would come when I would sell, but as I get older I keenly understand that nothing is forever. Totally get this. Best of luck with the auction, Gary. Moondog and Randall Dowling 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattTheDuck Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 What exactly is an "ashcan?" And why is it called that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfcityduck Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 (edited) IMHO, some of the coolest books ever. One of the top discoveries ever. And coming to auction! Edited February 22, 2022 by sfcityduck Jayman, Moondog and Randall Dowling 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Randall Dowling Posted February 22, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 22, 2022 On 2/21/2022 at 11:21 PM, Moondog said: Hi Everyone. After nearly 40 years I've decided to sell my last 4 ashcans - Superman Comics, Superwoman, Superboy and Supergirl. I never thought the day would come when I would sell, but as I get older I keenly understand that nothing is forever. I consigned them to the April Heritage auction. I'll never forget that moment in November 1985 at a Chicago Mini-con when Joe Desris handed me a small stack of books that Sol Harrison had given him. In that stack was Superman Comics and Wonder Woman. They sported black and white covers! What was I looking at? "Ashcans, Gary," Joe said. And from that moment I was hooked. I wanted to learn WHAT they were. WHY they were. WHERE they came from and WHO created them. After purchasing the first batch I bought an additional 30 over the next 2 years. Then I started buying them wherever I could find them eventually owning 40 or so issues. Those of you who know me understand the passion I've had for these books. Their journey from cool pop culture curiosities to finally being recognized as important historical documents was a long one, but one that I was willing to travel. I've truly enjoyed being the only person on the entire planet to own this set of comics. Now it's time to move on and let the next generation of collectors care for them. I think you're pretty much single handedly responsible for bringing these to the attention of the greater comic collecting world. I would never have known about them had you not been so generous in sharing your research and understanding of ashcans. For that, and many other contributions, I'll always be appreciative. Like @PopKulture said, I'm glad you're doing it on your terms. goldust40, frozentundraguy, tth2 and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tri-Color Brian Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 On 2/21/2022 at 10:32 PM, MattTheDuck said: What exactly is an "ashcan?" And why is it called that? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashcan_comic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendelbo Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 I looked them up. If the image results are correct, they are very cool. Especially the Superman one. I can't imagine having something one of a kind and parting with it, but I'm happy for your decision. Moondog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post telerites Posted February 22, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 22, 2022 Looking back at the HA auction 10 or so years ago when @Moondoghad a handful of consigned ashcans, I wish I had tried to win one. I am not sure when the Action Comics #1 ashcan was sold/auctioned but that one is wicked cool. Mmehdy, Larryw7, Randall Dowling and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronty Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 On 2/22/2022 at 12:21 AM, Moondog said: Hi Everyone. After nearly 40 years I've decided to sell my last 4 ashcans - Superman Comics, Superwoman, Superboy and Supergirl. I never thought the day would come when I would sell, but as I get older I keenly understand that nothing is forever. I consigned them to the April Heritage auction. I'll never forget that moment in November 1985 at a Chicago Mini-con when Joe Desris handed me a small stack of books that Sol Harrison had given him. In that stack was Superman Comics and Wonder Woman. They sported black and white covers! What was I looking at? "Ashcans, Gary," Joe said. And from that moment I was hooked. I wanted to learn WHAT they were. WHY they were. WHERE they came from and WHO created them. After purchasing the first batch I bought an additional 30 over the next 2 years. Then I started buying them wherever I could find them eventually owning 40 or so issues. Those of you who know me understand the passion I've had for these books. Their journey from cool pop culture curiosities to finally being recognized as important historical documents was a long one, but one that I was willing to travel. I've truly enjoyed being the only person on the entire planet to own this set of comics. Now it's time to move on and let the next generation of collectors care for them. Good for you, and I hope they do great. The Superman is amazing but I suspect will be out of my budget. Good luck! KCOComics and Moondog 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JollyComics Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 (edited) Gary, I saw your ashcans at Comix Revolution few years ago. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to see your treasure since King Tut and Pompeii exhibitions in Chicago. Edited February 23, 2022 by JollyComics Moondog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
october Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Good luck Gary! I need to find the pic I took when we did the bank trip with Brad to see these. My favorite was the Action ashcan. That thing was amazing. Randall Dowling, aardvark88 and Moondog 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comicginger1789 Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Obviously its sad when a long time collector moves on from their prized possessions but again, always nice when it is done on your terms. I wish you best of luck on the sales and I am sure the knowledge you have has been shared with others who can carry on that passion (and hopefully add one of these awesome pieces to their collections should they desire it). sfcityduck and Moondog 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamstrange Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 On 2/22/2022 at 12:21 AM, Moondog said: Hi Everyone. After nearly 40 years I've decided to sell my last 4 ashcans - Superman Comics, Superwoman, Superboy and Supergirl. I never thought the day would come when I would sell, but as I get older I keenly understand that nothing is forever. I consigned them to the April Heritage auction. I'll never forget that moment in November 1985 at a Chicago Mini-con when Joe Desris handed me a small stack of books that Sol Harrison had given him. In that stack was Superman Comics and Wonder Woman. They sported black and white covers! What was I looking at? "Ashcans, Gary," Joe said. And from that moment I was hooked. I wanted to learn WHAT they were. WHY they were. WHERE they came from and WHO created them. After purchasing the first batch I bought an additional 30 over the next 2 years. Then I started buying them wherever I could find them eventually owning 40 or so issues. Those of you who know me understand the passion I've had for these books. Their journey from cool pop culture curiosities to finally being recognized as important historical documents was a long one, but one that I was willing to travel. I've truly enjoyed being the only person on the entire planet to own this set of comics. Now it's time to move on and let the next generation of collectors care for them. Who are you? Randall Dowling, Moondog, MrBedrock and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OtherEric Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 Good luck on the sale, and thank you for all the information you've gathered and shared on the books over the years. I've always found it fascinating. Moondog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post adamstrange Posted February 22, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 22, 2022 (edited) On 2/22/2022 at 11:05 AM, october said: Good luck Gary! I need to find the pic I took when we did the bank trip with Brad to see these. My favorite was the Action ashcan. That thing was amazing. Pretty sketchy set of characters handling the books... Edited February 22, 2022 by adamstrange Larryw7, waaaghboss, Yorick and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfcityduck Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 (edited) Is CGC certifying these Given the provenance and chain of ownership, pretty shocking should CGC not do that. But, my recollection is that CGC took a shocking position in the past. Anyone know the status on that? EDITED: Looks like CGC will grade them now. Edited February 22, 2022 by sfcityduck Moondog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Dowling Posted February 22, 2022 Share Posted February 22, 2022 On 2/22/2022 at 2:07 PM, adamstrange said: Pretty sketchy set of characters handling the books... I don't like the way either one is looking at me. They look hungry. And confident. Moondog, PopKulture and GreatCaesarsGhost 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post october Posted February 22, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted February 22, 2022 On 2/22/2022 at 2:07 PM, adamstrange said: Pretty sketchy set of characters handling the books... Those two could haunt a damn house. Randall Dowling, bounty_coder, goldust40 and 2 others 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moondog Posted February 23, 2022 Author Share Posted February 23, 2022 On 2/22/2022 at 10:05 AM, october said: Good luck Gary! I need to find the pic I took when we did the bank trip with Brad to see these. My favorite was the Action ashcan. That thing was amazing. On 2/22/2022 at 2:07 PM, adamstrange said: Pretty sketchy set of characters handling the books... Alan, the bank made them check their backpacks at the door. Frisked 'em too. Andy, the Action was right up your alley. No question it's the first pre-code horror cover. By a wide margin. Jayman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...