Rare & Esoteric GA CGC Books (and some regular cool ones) 7 7

[esquirecomics]

Shipping Costs/Method: For single or combined purchases over $1,000.00 domestic shipping via USPS Priority Mail is FREE. Otherwise it is $18.00 for USPS Priority Rate Flat Rate Medium Box (usually 2-3 CGC books). Raw books are $8.00 for domestic USPS Priority Mail envelope. If you want another method to be used, actual shipping costs will be charged. International is actual cost to be assessed but $50.00 upfront (any excess will be refunded). Over $4,000.00 is free for international buyers. Multiple orders can be combined. Insurance and delivery confirmation is included. Other shipping methods available upon request.

Payment Methods: Personal checks, postal money orders, bank cashier checks, wire transfers, Paypal, Zelle and Venmo. All checks and money orders should be made payable to EsquireComics. Paypal account is EsquireComics@aol.com. Venmo is @Mark-Zaid. Zelle is 202-498-0011.

My Return Policy: I certainly believe you will be happy with your purchase. For raw books, I do my best to objectively grade every book and provide you with detailed descriptions. I have been collecting comics for almost 50 years and I have served as an Advisor to the Overstreet Comic Book & Pricing Guides since 2006.

However, your personal satisfaction is very important to me. If for any reason you wish to return your purchase, you may do so. However, you must notify me in writing within three (3) calendar days of receiving the book that you desire to return it, and you must ship it back to me within seven (7) calendar days. All associated costs for returning the book must be borne by the purchaser. And, of course, the book must be returned in the same condition it was received.

This return policy applies to CGC books as well.

Payment Plans: For purchases over $1,000.00, payment plans can be available so long as full payment will be received within 3 months. A non-refundable 1/3 deposit minimum will be required.

Counter-Offers: Don't hesitate to make a counter-offer via PM, especially for multiple books. But first  for each book always takes it. I will follow-up via PM.

Please note that any book not sold after seven (7) days may be placed in other venues. and the listed price is no longer valid. Please inquire as to availability and price

Please let me know if you have any questions.

[esquirecomics]

How You Can Defend Your Home (1942) CGC 5.0

This is an incredibly rare book and thanks to SFCityDuck, who sold a copy last year, I can provide you with some great background info!

 

"How You Can Defend Your Home" is a D.C. comic which was published in 1942 by All-American through its indicia publisher Jolaine Publications (also the indicia publisher for Green Lantern Comics 1-23, All-Flash Comics 2-26, and Comic Calvacade 26).  "How You Can Defend Your Home" was sold as a 10 cent premium for members of Hop Harrigan's "All-American Flying Club" and "American Observation Corps" through ads in All-American Publications such as All-Star 10, All-Flash 4, and All-American 42.  See here from All-Star 10:

 

 

The editor is M.C. Gaines, writer is Edward Gruskin, and the artist is Hubert Mathieu.  Mathieu (1897-1954) was a notable illustrator who gained fame during WWII as the artist on his "Spot Your Plane" and "Our Democracy" features.  The latter feature lasted 10 years and was run by 2,000 newspapers and magazines.  Gruskin was the writer of such favorite comic features as Street & Smith's Supersnipe, Shadow, and Doc Savage.  M.C. Gaines, of course, was a co-owner of D.C., All-American, and the founder of E.C. Comics.

This is a truly rare publication.  Ian Levine (does the current Board membership even remember Ian???) noted it as one of the cruxes in his quest to obtain a complete D.C. collection. Aside from Ian, last year SFCityDuck identified that only four other board members have claimed to own a copy (Me, Bangzoom, Jerome34, & BLBcomics) and board member Baz posted he'd seen a copy with a rat chewed corner.  SFCityDuck sold a CGC 5.5 copy last year and noted he found records of only four copies being sold:  Harley Yee for $1,000 in 2009 (although I remember Harley having a copy at SDCC on his wall for $1,500), two copies on this board for hidden amounts around 2015, and a "fair" copy on eBay.  A volume of comics bound by famous SF author Walter Gibson which included a copy was also sold by Potter & Potter in 2017. 

Only three public institutions (two University library archives and the Library of Congress) supposedly have the book in their holdings.  

Simply put, it's a small club that has a copy.

You can see Ian's copy in the top row of this picture of his key comics:

 

SFCityDuck asked a great question in his thread: how do you price a book like this?  Rare, top of census, significant to DC and Max Gaines/EC collectors, rarely offered for sale. None have sold through any of the major auction sites. Not Heritage, not ComicConnect, not Comic Link and not Hakes.

And, yes, every copy I have ever seen had the punch hole in it. I believe the book was intended to hang from the wall or on a hook so you can grab it when unidentified aircraft would fly over! I have included this book in my comic book history presentation for years!

Good luck finding one! Except there is one available here:

FORUM PRICE: $1,750.00 

 

Edited December 13, 2022 by esquirecomics

[esquirecomics]

Captain Aero Comics #26 (Continental, 1946) CGC 4.5 OW/W 

Overstreet lists this last issue of the title as "scarce". It's also a Gerber "white space", i.e. one of the very few comics that Ernie Gerber couldn't find to photograph for his Photo-Journal Guide to Comic Books, which lists it as an "8" ("rare") on its Scarcity Index. L. B. Cole classic sci-fi rocket ship cover. Rudy Palais and Carmine Infantino art.

A CGC 5.0 copy sold for $3,360 in September. There are two 2022 sales of a CGC 4.5 copy: one for $2,950 in June and one for $1,980 last month. A CGC 4.0 sold for $1,920 in June. A CGC 2.5 also sold in June for $1,560. Hell, a conserved CGC 1.8 copy sold for $1,320 in July!! This book is clearly going up, up, UP, UP!

FORUM PRICE: $2,999.99

 

[esquirecomics]

Narrative Illustration: The Story Of The Comics #nn (EC, 1942) CGC 6.0 Off-white to white pages. 

Listed as "very rare" in Overstreet, this one-shot features 16 text pages by M. C. Gaines included here, along with Minute Man and Picture Stories From the Bible inserts, with Sheldon Moldoff art.

This is one of my favorite books and I searched for it for years. The entry in Overstreet had me tantalized as a small kid. I use this article for my lectures on comic book history.

This is one of the earliest essay's on comic books, an offprint from Print: A Quarterly Journal of Graphic Arts (Summer, 1942). Max Gaines took an unknown number of the color inserts from Print and bound them to give away to people. What I love most about the article is it identifies the origins of the modern comic book as being issued just nine years earlier in 1933 with Funnies on Parade.

Of course, Gaines was the one who created it with a saddle stitched newsprint pamphlet which was the precursor of the modern four color comic book!!!!! Gaines founded All-American Publications which featured original material including the super-heroes Flash, Hawkman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. The financing for All-American came from his partner Jack Leibowitz. Leibowitz was also co-owner of National Allied Publications, the company that would eventually become National-DC comics. The companies were merged in 1944 with Gaines being bought out. Gaines would then go on to establish the E.C. (Educational Comics) line. After Gaines untimely death in 1947, his son Bill took over the company and took it in the direction that is well known today of horror and science fiction stories during the 1950s.

Heritage has only offered three copies in 20 years. I've never seen one ever offered at a Con.

A bookseller currently has an ungraded copy for sale online at $2,500.00. 

FORUM PRICE: $1,999.99

 

Edited December 13, 2022 by esquirecomics

[Randall Dowling]

Wow!  As usual, really amazing books, Mark!  It's a real treat to see some of these even if they're out of my grasp right now.  

[esquirecomics]

If an A-bomb Falls (1951) CGC 4.0 Cr/OW

Super rare promotional book with amazing atomic bomb explosion cover that instructs Americans on how to survive a nuclear attack. This was produced by Malcolm Ater's Commercial Comics outfit in Washington, D.C. He is the King of promotional comics (https://tomchristopher.com/comics3/malcolm-ater-and-the-commercial-comics-company/).

I have been tracking this book for many years. It was said to have also been published as part of a comic page insert in the Washington Post but I have never seen it, but the few copies of the comic book I have come across often have stamps from civilian civil defense units (I know of Ohio and Delaware). I have used it in my comic book history lectures for years because it has some of the (now) funniest guidance on how to survive an attack, such as jumping in a ditch and covering yourself with a newspaper or making sure housewives unplug their toaster ovens!

Full story includes: 1) How important it is to know the signals of an impending atomic attack; 2) The meaning of the different tones of air raid sirens; 3) What to do if you are attacked without warning ; 4) How to react to the brilliant flash of an atomic explosion; 5) How to find the safest place in your home; 6) The equipment you need for a home safety and emergency kit; 7) How to store a good supply of canned goods and water for extended sheltering; 8) How to prepare for an attack if you have advance warning How to seek protection from an impending attack; 9) Remembering to keep calm to stifle panic during an attack ; 10) How people caught outdoors will suffer the greatest casualties; 11) What to do if you are on a car, bus, or train during an attack; 12) How the worst danger from atomic attack is radiation in the air and water; and 13) How to decontaminate yourself if you think you have been exposed to radioactive dust or mist. The back cover features a chart showing the number of deaths and the number of injured people that can be projected if an A-bomb explodes in a populated area.

You can read the entire book here: http://www.historymuse.net/readings/If_an_A-Bomb_Falls_1951.pdf

I do not know of any copies being sold by major outlets that I have seen. Every once and awhile I come across a copy on Ebay. If anyone knows of any sales, please let me know. GPAnalysis does not have an entry for it. There are actually nine copies on the CGC census, which surprised me.

This is a key Cold War book that is a Must-Have for a complete collection.

FORUM PRICE: $1,250.00

 

 

Edited December 13, 2022 by esquirecomics

[esquirecomics]

Movie Comics #1 (DC, 1939) CGC 4.0 Cr/OW

An Overstreet "scarce", and a Gerber "7" or "scarce", this book contains stories told with movie stills, and it features Son of Frankenstein, Gunga Din, The Great Man Votes, and others. Stars featured include Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., John Barrymore, and Jackie Cooper. Harry Lampert art.

Very cool book as far as I am concerned, and you don't see it often which is why the price is candidly higher than perhaps it should be but that's what being a Gerber "7" gets ya!

FORUM PRICE: $650.00

 

[esquirecomics]

Movie Comics #6 The Phantom Creeps (DC, 1939) CGC 4.0 Cream to off-white pages. 

Both Overstreet and Gerber list this book as "scarce". Robot cover. Adaptation of The Phantom Creeps. Gene Autry, Bela Lugosi, Gary Cooper, and Laurel and Hardy appearances. Sheldon Mayer art. 

A CGC 3.5 copy sold in April of this year via Heritage for $1,680.00.

I won't go as high as Heritage so hopefully one of the underbidders is here on the Boards but good luck finding another copy!

FORUM PRICE: $1,500.00

 

[esquirecomics]

Famous Funnies #2 (Eastern Color, 1934) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Cream to off-white pages. 

Overstreet calls this book "rare", and Gerber rates it a "9" or "very rare." An extremely early book, this comic is recognized as the seventh comic book ever produced. Vic Pazmino drew the cover. Mutt and Jeff and Joe Palooka appearances.

This title is one of my favorites as it and More Fun Comics, in my view, exemplify and stand for the history of the comic book industry. So many "firsts" happened in this long-running title. I don't think Platinum books receive the love they deserve but the last year or two has seen a steady increase in value, which pleases me greatly! I do believe this trend will continue in a positive direction.

How many of you own a Gerber "9"? I doubt very many! I love collecting them! So here is your rare chance to do so and frankly the price is not out of reach!

FORUM PRICE: $1,400.00

 

[esquirecomics]

Captain Aero Comics #9 (Holyoke Publications, 1942) CGC 7.0 Cr/OW pages. 

What can be rarer then a Gerber "9" or "10"? Well how about one of the "white spaces", which is also rated "9" or "Very Rare."

Japanese and Nazi War cover by Al Ulmer. Charles Quinlan, Charles Nicholas, and Sol Brodsky art.

This is the Rockford Copy (so I was told when I purchased it) but for some reason it did not make it onto the label, although nowadays I don't think it really impacts the price anyway.

There are only two copies graded higher than this one. A CGC 7.5 copy sold at Heritage in November 2021 for $3,840.00!

FORUM PRICE: $3,500.00

 

[esquirecomics]

Captain Marvel Thrill Book #1 (Fawcett Publications, 1941) CGC 2.5 Cream to off-white pages. 

Contains reprints from Whiz Comics #8 and 10, and from Special Edition #1.

Considered "rare" by Overstreet and a Gerber "8".

Large 8.75" x 11.5" format, printed in black and white, with a color cover.

Overstreet notes, "Rarely found in Fine or Mint condition." No copy is graded above 6.0 and no value is listed above VF. 

A CGC 1.8 copy sold in 2020 for $528.00.

FORUM PRICE: $925.00

 

 

[esquirecomics]

Blue Beetle #21 (Fox Features Syndicate, 1943) CGC 6.5 Cr/OW pages. 

My gosh people, how often do you see Gerber "8" or "9"s, much less one White Space book on the Boards!! Yet now I am offering TWO White Space books in the same thread!

This issue is a Gerber "white space" and has a scarcity rating of "8" or "rare."

Charles Quinlan art. Just three copies graded higher.

A CGC 2.5 copy sold for $276.00 just this month.

FORUM PRICE: $750.00

[esquirecomics]

Cat-Man Comics #29 (Continental, 1945) CGC 3.0 Cr/OW pages. 

Wow, another Gerber "8" or "rare"!! Doctor Macabre cover and story.

Most importantly, much desired L. B. Cole cover art!!!

CGC notes: "Tape on interior cover"

A CGC 2.0 copy sold for $1,220.00 in August Heck, an ungraded G/VG copy sold on Heritage in Jul 2021 for $1,440!

FORUM PRICE: $1,800.00

[esquirecomics]

Danger Trail #3 (DC, 1950) CGC 2.5 White pages. 

Always listed as "rare" and at one point I recall it being stated it was one of the rarest DC books (although I am not sure that honestly is true any longer). Alex Toth art. 

A not very expensive FORUM PRICE of $275.00.

[esquirecomics]

Famous Funnies #28 (Eastern Color, 1936) CGC 1.8 OW/W pages. 

Mickey Finn begins a run in this issue. 

CGC notes: "cover detached". Probably would have been a 5.0 otherwise. Oh well.

There are no sales on GPA noted for the last six years and I can tell you why: there are only five other copies graded! So if you are looking to complete the run, like I am, here is a great filler copy!

FORUM PRICE: $125.00

 

[Generational Comics]

On 12/13/2022 at 3:39 PM, esquirecomics said:

Famous Funnies #2 (Eastern Color, 1934) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Cream to off-white pages. 

Overstreet calls this book "rare", and Gerber rates it a "9" or "very rare." An extremely early book, this comic is recognized as the seventh comic book ever produced. Vic Pazmino drew the cover. Mutt and Jeff and Joe Palooka appearances.

This title is one of my favorites as it and More Fun Comics, in my view, exemplify and stand for the history of the comic book industry. So many "firsts" happened in this long-running title. I don't think Platinum books receive the love they deserve but the last year or two has seen a steady increase in value, which pleases me greatly! I do believe this trend will continue in a positive direction.

How many of you own a Gerber "9"? I doubt very many! I love collecting them! So here is your rare chance to do so and frankly the price is not out of reach!

FORUM PRICE: $1,400.00

 

[mwotka]

On 12/12/2022 at 8:49 PM, esquirecomics said:

How You Can Defend Your Home (1942) CGC 5.0

This is an incredibly rare book and thanks to SFCityDuck, who sold a copy last year, I can provide you with some great background info!

 

"How You Can Defend Your Home" is a D.C. comic which was published in 1942 by All-American through its indicia publisher Jolaine Publications (also the indicia publisher for Green Lantern Comics 1-23, All-Flash Comics 2-26, and Comic Calvacade 26).  "How You Can Defend Your Home" was sold as a 10 cent premium for members of Hop Harrigan's "All-American Flying Club" and "American Observation Corps" through ads in All-American Publications such as All-Star 10, All-Flash 4, and All-American 42.  See here from All-Star 10:

 

 

The editor is M.C. Gaines, writer is Edward Gruskin, and the artist is Hubert Mathieu.  Mathieu (1897-1954) was a notable illustrator who gained fame during WWII as the artist on his "Spot Your Plane" and "Our Democracy" features.  The latter feature lasted 10 years and was run by 2,000 newspapers and magazines.  Gruskin was the writer of such favorite comic features as Street & Smith's Supersnipe, Shadow, and Doc Savage.  M.C. Gaines, of course, was a co-owner of D.C., All-American, and the founder of E.C. Comics.

This is a truly rare publication.  Ian Levine (does the current Board membership even remember Ian???) noted it as one of the cruxes in his quest to obtain a complete D.C. collection. Aside from Ian, last year SFCityDuck identified that only four other board members have claimed to own a copy (Me, Bangzoom, Jerome34, & BLBcomics) and board member Baz posted he'd seen a copy with a rat chewed corner.  SFCityDuck sold a CGC 5.5 copy last year and noted he found records of only four copies being sold:  Harley Yee for $1,000 in 2009 (although I remember Harley having a copy at SDCC on his wall for $1,500), two copies on this board for hidden amounts around 2015, and a "fair" copy on eBay.  A volume of comics bound by famous SF author Walter Gibson which included a copy was also sold by Potter & Potter in 2017. 

Only three public institutions (two University library archives and the Library of Congress) supposedly have the book in their holdings.  

Simply put, it's a small club that has a copy.

You can see Ian's copy in the top row of this picture of his key comics:

 

SFCityDuck asked a great question in his thread: how do you price a book like this?  Rare, top of census, significant to DC and Max Gaines/EC collectors, rarely offered for sale. None have sold through any of the major auction sites. Not Heritage, not ComicConnect, not Comic Link and not Hakes.

And, yes, every copy I have ever seen had the punch hole in it. I believe the book was intended to hang from the wall or on a hook so you can grab it when unidentified aircraft would fly over! I have included this book in my comic book history presentation for years!

Good luck finding one! Except there is one available here:

FORUM PRICE: $1,750.00 

 

 

On 12/13/2022 at 10:22 AM, esquirecomics said:

If an A-bomb Falls (1951) CGC 4.0 Cr/OW

Super rare promotional book with amazing atomic bomb explosion cover that instructs Americans on how to survive a nuclear attack. This was produced by Malcolm Ater's Commercial Comics outfit in Washington, D.C. He is the King of promotional comics (https://tomchristopher.com/comics3/malcolm-ater-and-the-commercial-comics-company/).

I have been tracking this book for many years. It was said to have also been published as part of a comic page insert in the Washington Post but I have never seen it, but the few copies of the comic book I have come across often have stamps from civilian civil defense units (I know of Ohio and Delaware). I have used it in my comic book history lectures for years because it has some of the (now) funniest guidance on how to survive an attack, such as jumping in a ditch and covering yourself with a newspaper or making sure housewives unplug their toaster ovens!

Full story includes: 1) How important it is to know the signals of an impending atomic attack; 2) The meaning of the different tones of air raid sirens; 3) What to do if you are attacked without warning ; 4) How to react to the brilliant flash of an atomic explosion; 5) How to find the safest place in your home; 6) The equipment you need for a home safety and emergency kit; 7) How to store a good supply of canned goods and water for extended sheltering; 8) How to prepare for an attack if you have advance warning How to seek protection from an impending attack; 9) Remembering to keep calm to stifle panic during an attack ; 10) How people caught outdoors will suffer the greatest casualties; 11) What to do if you are on a car, bus, or train during an attack; 12) How the worst danger from atomic attack is radiation in the air and water; and 13) How to decontaminate yourself if you think you have been exposed to radioactive dust or mist. The back cover features a chart showing the number of deaths and the number of injured people that can be projected if an A-bomb explodes in a populated area.

You can read the entire book here: http://www.historymuse.net/readings/If_an_A-Bomb_Falls_1951.pdf

I do not know of any copies being sold by major outlets that I have seen. Every once and awhile I come across a copy on Ebay. If anyone knows of any sales, please let me know. GPAnalysis does not have an entry for it. There are actually nine copies on the CGC census, which surprised me.

This is a key Cold War book that is a Must-Have for a complete collection.

FORUM PRICE: $1,250.00

 

 

Take these via PM!  Thanks!

[newshane]

On 12/13/2022 at 2:44 PM, esquirecomics said:

Captain Aero Comics #9 (Holyoke Publications, 1942) CGC 7.0 Cr/OW pages. 

What can be rarer then a Gerber "9" or "10"? Well how about one of the "white spaces", which is also rated "9" or "Very Rare."

Japanese and Nazi War cover by Al Ulmer. Charles Quinlan, Charles Nicholas, and Sol Brodsky art.

This is the Rockford Copy (so I was told when I purchased it) but for some reason it did not make it onto the label, although nowadays I don't think it really impacts the price anyway.

There are only two copies graded higher than this one. A CGC 7.5 copy sold at Heritage in November 2021 for $3,840.00!

FORUM PRICE: $3,500.00

 

Certainly looks like a Rockford to me. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but it seems like they missed this one. 

[Randall Dowling]

On 12/13/2022 at 7:19 PM, mwotka said:

 

Take these via PM!  Thanks!

Nice grabs!  

[CGC Mike]

On 12/13/2022 at 8:01 PM, Generational Comics said:

On 12/13/2022 at 3:39 PM, esquirecomics said:

Famous Funnies #2 (Eastern Color, 1934) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Cream to off-white pages. 

Overstreet calls this book "rare", and Gerber rates it a "9" or "very rare." An extremely early book, this comic is recognized as the seventh comic book ever produced. Vic Pazmino drew the cover. Mutt and Jeff and Joe Palooka appearances.

This title is one of my favorites as it and More Fun Comics, in my view, exemplify and stand for the history of the comic book industry. So many "firsts" happened in this long-running title. I don't think Platinum books receive the love they deserve but the last year or two has seen a steady increase in value, which pleases me greatly! I do believe this trend will continue in a positive direction.

How many of you own a Gerber "9"? I doubt very many! I love collecting them! So here is your rare chance to do so and frankly the price is not out of reach!

FORUM PRICE: $1,400.00

 

Expand  

I just approved this post further up in the thread.  I thought I would quote it to make sure it gets noticed.