Jon Berk has passed. 13 13

[Robot Man]

On 8/14/2023 at 11:00 AM, adamstrange said:

To my knowledge, Jon only bought a few slabbed books.  By the time CGC was a thing, he had stopped acquiring comics and was only collecting original art.

Jon gave his raw collection to Metropolis who handled all aspects of prepping them for auction, including decisions of slabbing/not-slabbing.

I think most of the GA was slabbed. They knew people would pay a little more if they had that “from the collection of…” on the label. I know I did. I lost out on most of what I bid on but really happy on the few I did get. 

[Flex Mentallo]

On 8/14/2023 at 7:07 PM, Mmehdy said:

I had read that John kept a few books when he sold his collection, I think he posted about that on the boards. So he did keep some material with him to end. Can anyone confirm that. John is a collector they just do not make anymore.

I seem to recall reading that too, Mitch.  Was it some of his Centaurs perhaps?

[sagii]

On 8/14/2023 at 2:07 PM, Mmehdy said:

I had read that John kept a few books when he sold his collection, I think he posted about that on the boards. So he did keep some material with him to end. Can anyone confirm that. John is a collector they just do not make anymore.

 

On 8/14/2023 at 3:12 PM, Flex Mentallo said:

I seem to recall reading that too, Mitch.  Was it some of his Centaurs perhaps?

..I had heard one of the items was his copy of Our Flag Comics #5? I think he posted it raw in the Ace thread a ways back, but it wasn't in the CC auction.

 

[Cat-Man_America]

On 8/14/2023 at 1:27 PM, Robot Man said:

I think most of the GA was slabbed. They knew people would pay a little more if they had that “from the collection of…” on the label. I know I did. I lost out on most of what I bid on but really happy on the few I did get. 

I had my copy cracked out, regraded and re-encapsulated because the CGC label failed to carry any art attributions (see below, in spoiler). Since I wasn't fond of this label redesign going with the local guys was an easy choice; it also received a modest .5 bump, which wasn't expected, but appreciated. The book looks much better than 8.0; I'm giving CGC big props for conservative grading here which is intended as a compliment to Matt and his crew. The one designation on the new label which transferred almost verbatim from the one below was the addition of one word: FROM THE PERSONAL COLLECTION OF JON BERK...

Spoiler

Edited August 14, 2023 by Cat-Man_America
Ale, cheers!

[Sarg]

One of the great collectors. RIP.

[Larryw7]

God Rest his Soul. 

[adamstrange]

Jon Berk may have been the smartest collector I've ever met.

He enjoyed collecting comics for more than 40 years, expanding from revisiting the superhero comics of his youth, to investigating the evolution of the American newsstand comic.  What started as a casual and inexpensive hobby, became a much more costly and structured one with the spread of dedicated stores, conventions, and The Guide.  Grading and slabbing came along as well, but Jon was so enthusiastic for the medium of comic art that his books remained raw until he let them go.

After achieving most of his goals in comics, Jon began to seek the line art used to print the stories.  He adjusted to rising prices and his changing priorities by selling and trading part of his collection to fund that new interest in original art, which also included recreations.  He contacted and personally met with many Golden Age artists to commission recreations of his favorite covers, which in some cases were the only ones they ever drew.  

The final result of this lifelong quest was a collection of exceptional breadth and rarity that reflected the highlights of the American Comic Book, filtered by insights gained through decades of study.  The broader collector community had a chance to see it when it was offered for auction, though that was no substitute for being personally guided by him through the comic cave in his home.

Jon's collector journey was not unique.  Others walked a similar path, though very few with the the same level of refinement and perspective.  

Even fewer maintained the respect of both dealers and collectors for square dealing.  Contributed enough articles related to comics, pedigrees, artists, legal issues to fill a book.  Donated time and money to help bring many GA comic artists to the San Diego Con to be honored by their many fans.  President of the American Assocation of Comic Book Collectors.  Openly shared his art and comics on multiple occasions with fellow fans.  Loaned artwork and comics to important museum exhibits.  Contributed scans of original art and comic for numerous books.  Held friendships for decades with many fellow collectors.  And, when necessary, sold comics to fund the education and opportunities for his children.

Jon built an unbelievably cool and valuable collection, but, not at the cost of those things that matter most.  As I said at the beginning, Jon Berk may have been the smartest collector I've ever met.

 

[batman_fan]

On 8/13/2023 at 6:19 PM, adamstrange said:

 

AdamStrange looks exactly as I imagined he would

[gino2paulus2]

An absolute Titan for the hobby and a Legend in the community. Jons willingness to share both his collection and his knowledge of his journey were always such a pleasure. His collection was so eclectic. He helped bright special attention to so many rarities I would personally never have seen without his sharing them. He will be missed greatly but his legacy will carry on.

[tth2]

On 8/15/2023 at 2:07 AM, Mmehdy said:

I had read that John kept a few books when he sold his collection, I think he posted about that on the boards. So he did keep some material with him to end. Can anyone confirm that. John is a collector they just do not make anymore.

Can we show the man a little respect by at least writing his name correctly?  It's only 3 letters long, for god's sake.

[adamstrange]

 

[ageofsilver]

Jon Berk shared a lot of information and pleasure in those treasured issues of the Carters’ wonderful CBM. Rest in peace.

[Mmehdy]

On 8/14/2023 at 9:24 PM, tth2 said:

Can we show the man a little respect by at least writing his name correctly?  It's only 3 letters long, for god's sake.

Fixed typo … chill out

Edited August 15, 2023 by Mmehdy

[comicjack]

On 8/14/2023 at 3:20 PM, sagii said:

 

..I had heard one of the items was his copy of Our Flag Comics #5? I think he posted it raw in the Ace thread a ways back, but it wasn't in the CC auction.

 

He had some of the most rare books in his collection some he didn't part with i wonder if the family will do so 

Edited August 15, 2023 by comicjack

[lou_fine]

On 8/13/2023 at 12:40 AM, Gotham Kid said:

That is terrible news

Haven't been on the boards for a few days now, but this is definitely sad news to hear and a terrible loss to our comic book hobby place.  

Sincere condolences to his family and may he rest in peace in that big comic shop in the sky.  

[lou_fine]

On 8/13/2023 at 11:48 PM, Professor K said:

Ok thanks . I would have loved to see his face when that auction ended. He was probably dancin on the ceiling and doing back flips. What a book,  and what a price it got. And for him to take it out and handle it so you can take a picture of it. That gesture alone says a lot. 

As others have said here, no problem for Jon to share his much loved books with others, because isn't that what the fun of collecting is really all about:    

On 2/27/2017 at 9:02 AM, ciorac said:

Here is Jon at my place in Philly a few years ago sharing much of his collection with us

 

Edited August 15, 2023 by lou_fine

[Robot Man]

On 8/14/2023 at 9:36 PM, adamstrange said:

 

Jon was a fountain of knowledge of the roots of the hobby. He worked tiresly on locating and befriending the earliest creators and sharing this info with us. We are lucky to have interviews like this. Thanks for posting it!

[Johnny545]

I picked up just one book when his collection auctioned (in a fit of insanity I eventually sold it).

I wish I had gotten to know him.  Very sorry to hear this news. 

[Johnny545]

On 8/14/2023 at 9:36 PM, adamstrange said:

 

What a great video - dense with information - thank you for posting.

[Robot Man]

On 8/15/2023 at 8:53 AM, Johnny545 said:

I picked up just one book when his collection auctioned (in a fit of insanity I eventually sold it).

I wish I had gotten to know him.  Very sorry to hear this news. 

Wow! We have all sold books and been sorry afterwards. Sad part, is the money is re-spent and you now longer have the book or the money…

I’m pretty much a keeper. So other than the fact that a book has gone up way more than you sold it for, I hate to regret owning it once and knowing I will never have it again.