Fox Comics Appreciation Thread! 20 20

[lou_fine]

On 9/28/2023 at 6:39 PM, Professor K said:

Wonderworld #3 4.0 Slightly Brittle with large dust stains on top 6,600 - HA sale last December 3.0 Cream/OW with writing on cover 10,200.

With such a large difference in price between the two copies, you actually made me go in and take a closer look:  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/wonderworld-comics-3-fox-1939-cgc-vg-40-slightly-brittle-pages/a/40239-82123.s

Needless to say, the PQ designation of Slightly Brittle pages has always been pretty much a death knell to most books in the comic book marketplace, but with those deep and eye cringing dust shadows at the top, that's sure to guarantee a lower price regardless of the assigned grade in the top left hand corner of the slab.    

[skypinkblu]

Is anyone else having a problem signing in to Heritage?

[lou_fine]

On 9/28/2023 at 9:00 PM, skypinkblu said:

Is anyone else having a problem signing in to Heritage?

NO  

Seriously though, do you mean right now or during the Live Auction earlier this afternoon?  

[Professor K]

On 9/29/2023 at 12:00 AM, skypinkblu said:

Is anyone else having a problem signing in to Heritage?

No not here. I use an old Opera browser that they recommend I update to one of three others. If it ain't broke I ain't fixin. 

On 9/28/2023 at 11:26 PM, lou_fine said:

Since I was busy driving during the auction, greatly appreciate you doing this as I am just too lazy to go through everything.   

You actually made me go back and look at these two copies of Science 1 with your post here:  

https://www.comicconnect.com/item/966227

Have always absolutely love the deep strong blue colors on the Science 1 and thought they presented better on the CC copy above as compared to the HA copy below.  Then again, that could also just be due to scanning issues more than anything else.  Although the CC copy appears to have less wear on the front cover spine, it's probably a wash with the big long obtrusive looking tape on the back cover and the qualifying label note for the "minor amount of glue on spine of cover".  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/science-fiction/science-comics-1-fox-1940-cgc-vg-40-cream-to-off-white-pages/a/40239-82101.s#

Any bets that the consignor of the CC copy must be pretty stoked with this result, considering that he's probably got a couple thousand more in his pocket given the lower auction fees with CC as compared to the consignment fees with Heritage.  

I was going to say compared to some other Fox books Science 1 seems undervalued lately. 

On 9/28/2023 at 11:20 PM, Point Five said:

Sheesh, and I've been using my MM #2 as a footrest all this time! Doesn't *everyone* have one of these things?
 

Great scan. That's a really really nice one. 

On 9/28/2023 at 11:00 PM, lou_fine said:

Yes, like I had said, from a strict front cover visual appearance only, the CGC 2.5 from last week clearly presented nicer than today's CGC 3.0:  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/mystery-men-comics-2-fox-1939-cgc-gd-25-off-white-pages/a/122338-15216.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

As compared to the less visually appealing CGC 3.0 graded copy in that fugly oversized magazine holder:  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/mystery-men-comics-2-fox-1939-cgc-gd-vg-30-off-white-to-white-pages/a/40239-82071.s

I actually thought the final price for the CGC 2.5 copy from last week might have been held back a bit by the presence of the CGC 3.0 copy, but nevertheless, both are still clear evidence of the continuing strong prices for Mystery Men 2 in today's marketplace.    

I'd take the 2.5 over the 3.0 even if the prices were the same. Not sure if the 2.5 presence a week ago hurt or helped the 3.0 but it surely created a price point (not sure if that's the correct term) for the 3.0, at least for some people I suppose. You know what they say, "bid on the grade, not the book".   

Edited September 29, 2023 by Professor K
spelling correction, again.

[lou_fine]

On 9/28/2023 at 6:39 PM, Professor K said:

Looks like #2 blew #3 out of the water. 5,040 to 3,360.

 

On 9/28/2023 at 6:43 PM, RedGiant said:

MM2 has definitely taken over #3. Frustrating for someone looking for a #2🤣

Yes, I was absolutely shocked when I noticed this at the end of last year, but then it seems to be pretty locked in with multiple copies in the CGC 3.0 to CGC 3.5 condition range now consistently fetching in the $5K to $7K price range at both Heritage and CC during the past couple of years.  This was definitely not the case back in 2017 when the Jon Berk Church copy of MM 3 in CGC 9.6 sold for $57K while the Berk/Church copy of MM 2 in equivalent CGC 9.6 condition grade managed to fetch only $38,500.  

The question now is whether the HTF Mystery Men 7 has also overtaken Mystery Men 3 due to its sheer rarity in grade with only the Church copy in CGC 8.0 being the only copy to grade above CGC 4.0 out of a meagre total of only 12 unrestored Universal copies in the census to date?  

Especially considering that even raw restored lower grade Good copies or even certified restored 2.5 graded copies have been selling into the $3K price range during the past year or so:  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/mystery-men-comics-7-fox-1940-condition-apparent-gd/a/122224-13617.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

Raw restored Good copy for $3,120 back in June of 2022 and then this certified restored 2.5 graded PLOD copy for $3,360 in February of 2023: 

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/mystery-men-comics-7-fox-1940-cgc-apparent-gd-25-slight-c-1-cream-to-off-white-pages/a/122309-17635.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

Heck, it even looks like real low grade beater Fair copies even with the much dreaded Slightly Brittle PQ desigantion are still approaching 4-figures:  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/mystery-men-comics-7-fox-1940-cgc-apparent-fr-10-slight-c-1-slightly-brittle-pages/a/122333-13134.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

Hate these fugly looking oversized magazine holders and yet sold for some $840 last month with another Fair CGC 1.0 graded restored PLOD copy (albeit with much better OW/W pages) selling for $990 back in February of 2021.  

So, hopefully you are also not looking for a #7 then.  

 

[lou_fine]

On 9/28/2023 at 6:39 PM, Professor K said:

Weird #20 3.0 with nice color but with a prominent spine roll 22,200- Last December on HA a 1.5 sold for 16,500. Lotta money just for an Adolf cover. No one cares about Winston. 

I was actually a bit surprised with the result as I thought this copy here mght even have problems hitting the $16.5K price point of the 1.5 copy:  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/weird-comics-20-fox-features-syndicate-1942-cgc-gd-vg-30-off-white-pages/a/40239-82121.s

Lotta of Adolf covers out there for collectors to chase after, so it MUST be this rare as hen's tooth Churchill cover that's got collectors going gaga and opening up their wallets nice and wide with all the love that they clearly feel for good old Winston here.   

[comicnoir]

On 9/29/2023 at 1:31 AM, lou_fine said:

I was actually a bit surprised with the result as I thought this copy here mght even have problems hitting the $16.5K price point of the 1.5 copy:  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/weird-comics-20-fox-features-syndicate-1942-cgc-gd-vg-30-off-white-pages/a/40239-82121.s

Lotta of Adolf covers out there for collectors to chase after, so it MUST be this rare as hen's tooth Churchill cover that's got collectors going gaga and opening up their wallets nice and wide with all the love that they clearly feel for good old Winston here.   

Love how Winston is still smoking his ever present stogey, even while tied up by Nazis.

[Spyder!]

On 9/28/2023 at 10:31 PM, lou_fine said:

I was actually a bit surprised with the result as I thought this copy here mght even have problems hitting the $16.5K price point of the 1.5 copy:  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/weird-comics-20-fox-features-syndicate-1942-cgc-gd-vg-30-off-white-pages/a/40239-82121.s

Lotta of Adolf covers out there for collectors to chase after, so it MUST be this rare as hen's tooth Churchill cover that's got collectors going gaga and opening up their wallets nice and wide with all the love that they clearly feel for good old Winston here.   

This price is crazy! It’s just not that great of a cover. 

[lou_fine]

On 9/28/2023 at 11:22 PM, Spyder! said:

This price is crazy! It’s just not that great of a cover. 

Which one are you referring to.......the CGC 3.0 copy that sold for $22.2K earlier today or the CGC 1.5 copy that sold for $16.2K last December? 

What do you mean it's not a great cover................why, you've got little Adolf in his fashionably made Hugo Boss outfit punched right in the kisser and then you've got chubby but lovable cigar chomping Winston not showing any fear at all while tied up in typical bondage mode. 

[Spyder!]

On 9/28/2023 at 11:54 PM, lou_fine said:

Which one are you referring to.......the CGC 3.0 copy that sold for $22.2K earlier today or the CGC 1.5 copy that sold for $16.2K last December? 

What do you mean it's not a great cover................why, you've got little Adolf in his fashionably made Hugo Boss outfit punched right in the kisser and then you've got chubby but lovable cigar chomping Winston not showing any fear at all while tied up in typical bondage mode. 

Obviously there are those who love it, the price is evidence of that, I just mean the artwork itself isn’t great on the cover 

[RareHighGrade]

On 9/28/2023 at 9:56 PM, lou_fine said:

 

Yes, I was absolutely shocked when I noticed this at the end of last year, but then it seems to be pretty locked in with multiple copies in the CGC 3.0 to CGC 3.5 condition range now consistently fetching in the $5K to $7K price range at both Heritage and CC during the past couple of years.  This was definitely not the case back in 2017 when the Jon Berk Church copy of MM 3 in CGC 9.6 sold for $57K while the Berk/Church copy of MM 2 in equivalent CGC 9.6 condition grade managed to fetch only $38,500.  

The question now is whether the HTF Mystery Men 7 has also overtaken Mystery Men 3 due to its sheer rarity in grade with only the Church copy in CGC 8.0 being the only copy to grade above CGC 4.0 out of a meagre total of only 12 unrestored Universal copies in the census to date?  

Especially considering that even raw restored lower grade Good copies or even certified restored 2.5 graded copies have been selling into the $3K price range during the past year or so:  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/mystery-men-comics-7-fox-1940-condition-apparent-gd/a/122224-13617.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

Raw restored Good copy for $3,120 back in June of 2022 and then this certified restored 2.5 graded PLOD copy for $3,360 in February of 2023: 

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/mystery-men-comics-7-fox-1940-cgc-apparent-gd-25-slight-c-1-cream-to-off-white-pages/a/122309-17635.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

Heck, it even looks like real low grade beater Fair copies even with the much dreaded Slightly Brittle PQ desigantion are still approaching 4-figures:  

https://comics.ha.com/itm/golden-age-1938-1955-/superhero/mystery-men-comics-7-fox-1940-cgc-apparent-fr-10-slight-c-1-slightly-brittle-pages/a/122333-13134.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

Hate these fugly looking oversized magazine holders and yet sold for some $840 last month with another Fair CGC 1.0 graded restored PLOD copy (albeit with much better OW/W pages) selling for $990 back in February of 2021.  

So, hopefully you are also not looking for a #7 then.  

 

Due to its rarity, there's no question that MM #7 is more valuable than MM #3.  MM #8 is likely also more valuable.

I was surprised to see the high prices paid for the mid-grade copies of Eagle #2 and #4, both of which went for around 10X Guide.  I didn't realize this was such a coveted run.

[lou_fine]

On 9/29/2023 at 8:26 AM, Spyder! said:

Obviously there are those who love it, the price is evidence of that, I just mean the artwork itself isn’t great on the cover 

Why Dear Sir.....................who cares about the artistic merits of the cover when you've got the historic merits of flashy little Adolf and old chubby Winston gracing the front cover of your book!!  

[lou_fine]

On 9/29/2023 at 10:08 AM, RareHighGrade said:

Due to its rarity, there's no question that MM #7 is more valuable than MM #3.  MM #8 is likely also more valuable.

Boy, are we ever trying to get @tth2's mood into a dander for even having such sacrilegious thoughts about Mystery Men 3.  

Seriously though, I guess it's pretty much a no-brainer that MM 2 has now clearly overtaken MM 3 and possibly even MM 7 doing it, but never really gave much thought to MM 8.  From a strict artistic POV though setting aside the rarity factor, I much prefer MM 8 over MM 7 myself and clearly both of these issues have been climbling up strongly in value in the past few years. 

From your collecting experience and personal POV, do you think MM 7 is close to MM 2 in value due to its extreme rarity in grade or still a long ways off?  

Edited September 29, 2023 by lou_fine

[RareHighGrade]

On 9/29/2023 at 10:35 AM, lou_fine said:

From your collecting experience and personal POV, do you think MM 7 is close to MM 2 in value due to its extreme rarity in grade or still a long ways off?  

IMO, due to its relative rarity, a MM #7 in mid-grade or better is likely worth more than a MM #2 in equivilant grade.

On 9/29/2023 at 10:35 AM, lou_fine said:

From a strict artistic POV though setting aside the rarity factor, I much prefer MM 8 over MM 7 myself. 

I agree with you that the cover of MM #7 is underwhelming and that #8's cover is better.

[Spyder!]

Agree that MM8 > MM7. I wonder if a nice mid grade MM10 would outperform both though? 

[adamstrange]

On 9/29/2023 at 1:45 PM, RareHighGrade said:

I agree with you that the cover of MM #7 is underwhelming and that #8's cover is better.

 

[MrBedrock]

[Spyder!]

On 9/29/2023 at 11:02 AM, adamstrange said:

 

 

On 9/29/2023 at 11:48 AM, MrBedrock said:

These are gorgeous! 

[MrBedrock]

On 9/29/2023 at 1:57 PM, Spyder! said:

 

These are gorgeous! 

I imagine a big chunk of the Mile High run is on these boards.

 

[lpsunburst]

On 9/29/2023 at 3:27 PM, MrBedrock said:

I imagine a big chunk of the Mile High run is on these boards.

 

Yep