Is anyone planning on purchasing a book from the Steve Ditko collection currently up for auction? 2 2

[Math Teacher]

Currently, there is an auction house called PBA Galleries that is auctioning Steve Ditko's personal copies of AF #15, ASM #1 - #39, and ASM Annuals #1 - #2.

Sale 3026: PBA Comics: The Spidey Sale, Including The Steve Ditko Collection, Part I (pbagalleries.com)

I am actually thinking about bidding on ASM #12, as my current copy is a purple label due to color touch on the cover. Unfortunately, I feel that the pre-auction estimate of $1000 - $1500 is far too low. According to GPA, the current value of an ASM #12 CGC 6.5 is $1,000. I think that Steve Ditko's personal copy would be worth 2.5 to 3 times that value.

Has anyone else looked at this auction, and is anyone else planning on bidding?

[piper]

I’m happy with my current copies but understand the appeal.

I just made a sizeable/trade purchase which I will be showing off soon. Along with it being Christmas, the timing just doesn’t work.

[MattTheDuck]

I have a general interest in this kind of "unique" book - appreciate your bringing this to our attention.

I would also note that sometimes, when there are two copies of the same book (as there are of ASM #12) and one is "more desirable" such as the Ditko copy, you might have a shot at getting the less desirable at a good price.

Edited December 4, 2022 by MattTheDuck

[Morganmi]

I think there should be a great deal of interest in these.

Since Ditko didn't sign books to me this is the next best equivalent to that. Wish I had the funds available to go for 1 but had to do some major car repairs recently and Christmas is coming.  

[Math Teacher]

On 12/3/2022 at 6:10 PM, MattTheDuck said:

I have a general interest in this kind of "unique" book - appreciate your bringing this to our attention.

I would also note that sometimes, when there are two copies of the same book (as there are of ASM #12) and one is "more desirable" such as the Ditko copy, you might have a shot at getting the less desirable at a good price.

That sounds like a good idea. However, my current copy of ASM #12 is graded as a purple CGC 6.0 with a small amount of glue on the top of the spine. If I send it in to CGC for restoration removal, I would hope that the grade would not drop to anything lower than a 5.5, or if I'm lucky, stay at a 6.0. 

The other SM #12 offered is a 5.0, so I think that I would be better off just sending my book in for restoration removal.

[pemart1966]

I'm a bit confused.  Of the 3 pages, how much was Ditko's?  The website makes it seem as if it's all 3 pages but the only items marked as belonging to Steve are the first graded 41 books...

[jimjum12]

On 12/3/2022 at 12:29 PM, piper said:

I’m happy with my current copies but understand the appeal.

I just made a sizeable/trade purchase which I will be showing off soon. Along with it being Christmas, the timing just doesn’t work.

You could always moonlight as a Gigolo for some extra coin .... that's what I do. GOD BLESS...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

[Math Teacher]

On 12/3/2022 at 10:33 PM, pemart1966 said:

I'm a bit confused.  Of the 3 pages, how much was Ditko's?  The website makes it seem as if it's all 3 pages but the only items marked as belonging to Steve are the first graded 41 books...

Just the first 41 ASM books are from Ditko, AF #15, ASM #1 - #38, and ASM Annual #1 - #2. The rest of the ASM books are just run-of-the-mill comic books, even there are some nice grades listed.

[Math Teacher]

On 12/3/2022 at 11:03 PM, jimjum12 said:

You could always moonlight as a Gigolo for some extra coin .... that's what I do. GOD BLESS...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

Good golly! I'm not going to get that picture out of my mind for the rest of the day. 

[MattTheDuck]

On 12/3/2022 at 9:03 PM, jimjum12 said:

You could always moonlight as a Gigolo for some extra coin .... that's what I do. GOD BLESS...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

@lizards2 also has some experience supplementing his income in this way, in case you want advice on getting this fun "side hustle" going.

[KirbyJack]

On 12/4/2022 at 9:23 AM, MattTheDuck said:

@lizards2 also has some experience supplementing his income in this way, in case you want advice on getting this fun "side hustle" going.

I'm not sure there's room for more comic nerds in the reptile escort industry. Can't be a big market.

On the other hand, there is an expanding iguana demographic in Florida...

[MattTheDuck]

On 12/4/2022 at 8:19 AM, KirbyJack said:

I'm not sure there's room for more comic nerds in the reptile escort industry. Can't be a big market.

On the other hand, there is an expanding iguana demographic in Florida...

Competition is an innovation driver in any industry.