Jon Berk has passed. 12 12

[Paul © ® ⚽️💙™]

Terribly sad day for the hobby.

I didn't know Jon personally but he left an indelible impression on collectors thru' his passion and knowledge...and being a nice guy always helps.

My sincere condolences to his loved ones and friends.

[bounty_coder]

Rest well Jon. Thank you for showing the hobby how to be a gentleman in the truest sense. Your contributions will exist for future generations and in that we are fortunate. Sending prayers 🙏🏼 to the family for strength and love and in this most difficult time. ❤️ 

Edited August 13, 2023 by bounty_coder

[Silver Surfer]

Always enjoyed his posts, sad to hear of his passing. 

[Mutie Fan]

Very sad news. I always enjoyed when he shared books from his collection and the stories that went with them. 

 

[buttock]

A terrible loss.  

[ThothAmon]

Sad news. Wish I’d got a chance to know him. 
 

Edited August 13, 2023 by ThothAmon

[bronze johnny]

Berk was a comic book historian and collector who loved this art form. He won’t be forgotten because his books will forever remind us and posterity about this great collector and person.

[thehumantorch]

So sad to hear this.  Wonderful man and will be missed.

[Zolnerowich]

I was super fortunate to have met Jon Berk, though only once, at the unforgettable Preview Night that ComicConnect organized in 2017 in advance of the auction. The books and original art on display (including the OA of Planet Comics #1 !!!), were breathtaking. He was very gracious discussing GA books with a N00B like me, and when I told him that Lou Fine's Jumbo Comics #10 was one of my favorite books, first, his eyes sparkled, and next, he suddenly pantomimed the full grand pose and arc where the hero has just flung his spear into the monster's flesh. I'll never forget that moment. Long Live Jon Berk!!!

[fast eddie]

Rest in Peace Mr. Berk,,,,,,,,, forever reminding us to love our hobby!

 

[Mmehdy]

RIP Mr. Berk

[Point Five]

So sorry to hear this. RIP.

 

[Randall Dowling]

Like others, I always hoped to meet him but never did.  Everyone I talked to, that had met him, had nothing but praise and fond words for him. 

My thoughts are with his friends and family.  The rest of us are the beneficiaries of his scholarship and preservation for all those years and countless more to come. 

Thanks, Jon.

[Professor K]

 I've said here many times that 2017 was when I really discovered Golden Age comics. Prior to that I only knew about mainly DC and Captain America.  And it was mostly due to Mr. Berks ComicConnect auction. That was the game changing event for me. The point where my whole view (and my life) changed.  And seeing all those great books all in one place helped a lot for me to put it all in perspective . I used that auction as a guide to learn all I could about the early stuff- series, publishers, artists, and history. I figured if he had them they must be the ones to find out about.......and they just looked so awesome most being such high grade.

Thanks for that Mr. Berk. 

Edited August 13, 2023 by Professor K

[adamstrange]

To provide some context of Jon's contributions to the hobby:

• Author of many articles on comics to Comic Book Marketplace and various Overstreet publications.  Combined together they would make a nice volume.
• Many articles summarized background on issues that are rarely seen, but others were significant in tracing the origins of comic books and insights into the legal battle between DC and Fox.
• Created the definitive list of the Larson pedigree collection, partly due to persuading a reluctant dealer to reveal his sales.
• Tracked down Lamont Larson and connected him with the comic collecting community.
• Part of the grading committee for the Sotheby's Comic Auctions.
• President of the AACC for its formative years.  Instrumental in bringing to San Diego many creators to receive honors and interact with their fans.  Many of these artists had never been to a convention and had no idea how loved they and their work was.
• Overstreet advisor for a couple decades.
• Generous participant at fan gatherings, both those he hosted and those hosted by others.  Jon was sure to show up with amazing comics, unslabbed, that he would take out and pass around to the group.
• The first collector to have a complete set of Centaurs.
• Allowed Gerber to photograph many of his rare books to ensure the completion of the original PhotoJournal Guide to Golden Age Comics.  Jon's Silver Age Marvels were photographed for the Marvel PhotoJournal.
• Contributed scans to many reference book projects.
• Loaned art for museum exhibits about comics.
• Passionate and articulate promoter of the medium of comic art and the collecting community.
• Link to the Forbes Magazine interview:  https://boards.cgccomics.com/topic/41337-jon-berk-interview-in-forbes/#comments

 

Jon with his favorite comic book, Mystery Men 3, both the Larson and the Church copies.

Edited August 14, 2023 by adamstrange

[bc]

RIP Mr. Berk

Like others, I didn't know much about Jon before the 2017 auction. But one could easily see his passion for the hobby and appreciate the wonderful pieces he had procured. Just as @Professor K mentioned, that auction and the boards enthusiastic chatter led me to deeper explore the GA marketplace from the comfort of my SA confines.

His view of being just a "custodian" really resonated with me. Very proud to have a few of his books in my Pre-Hero Marvel collection:

-bc

[adamstrange]

From the press release for the Berk Auction:

ComicConnect will host a gallery showing of the Jon Berk collection, opening Saturday, March 11th 7pm-10pm with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages at Metropolis Gallery, 36 w. 37th St., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10018. After the opening, the gallery will be open to the public Tues–Fri, 11:00am – 5:00pm until June 2nd. The auction itself will begin online May 15th at ComicConnect.com, and end June 12 through June 16.

Jon Berk is known and respected throughout the comic book community as not only one of the most knowledgeable collectors and historians around, but also one of the true class acts in the hobby. A true gentleman and steward of the medium, Jon spent nearly a lifetime amassing one of the most impressive collections in the world of vintage comics and art. ComicConnect is proud to present The Jon Berk Collection Auction Preview for your viewing pleasure at Metropolis Gallery.

While he was a superhero comic book fan since he was a boy, Jon didn't get serious about collecting until his law school days. Back then, he could pick up back issues for a quarter a piece. Now a civil trial attorney, Jon has acquired over 20,000 comics including some of the rarest books our graders have ever seen and, hands down, the most impressive and valuable collections of original comic art ever offered at auction.

"The original Cover art to Planet Comics #1 by Lou Fine, Pep Comics #30 by Bob Montana and All New Comics #8 by Alex Schomburg will blow your mind away" stated ComicConnect COO Vincent Zurzolo. In addition to the wondrous collection of original art, visitors to the auction preview gallery will also find copies of Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #27, Captain America Comics #1, Fantastic Comics #3 Church Copy, Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1, Fawcett Flash Comics #1, and dozens more.

"I have known Jon for over thirty years as a fellow historian, fan, client, and friend. I am truly humbled to have him entrust the solemn task of bringing his collection to market. It is an understatement to say it is one of the greatest, deepest and richest collections, not only in value but in historical significance I've ever had the privilege to be involved with" exclaimed ComicConnect CEO, Stephen Fishler.

With one of the most famous collections in fandom, Jon was interviewed in 2005 by Forbes magazine where he was described as a collector "with the seriousness of a historian and the zeal of a kid," a description he heartily embraces. When asked to give advice to collectors, he stated "Don't have feet of clay. A lot of this stuff comes around just once. You've got to be ready to go for it." And boy, howdy, did Jon Berk ever go for it.

"Whether you are a collector, investor or just a fan, I invite you all to enjoy my collection at this amazing auction preview. I built this collection to honor the legends behind and on the pages. Now it is time for me to share the collection with the next generation. I hope you will appreciate and safeguard it as much as I have" shares owner, Jon Berk.

In addition to the has-to-be-seen-to-be-believed cover to Planet Comics #1, the ComicConnect auction preview in conjunction with Metropolis Gallery will showcase art from Jack Kirby, Alex Schomburg, Jerry Robinson, Steve Ditko, Carmine Infantino, and so much more.

Items will be available for bidding May 15th, ComicConnect's completely online auction will end June 12th through June 16th. For more information on the auction or other questions email ComicConnect at support@comicconnect.com.

[bc]

-bc

[Mmehdy]

Nice youtube video with CC and Jon Berk can somebody add that to the thead, its great

[adamstrange]