Obadiah Oldbuck for sale! Scoop article 3/2/07

[chaos_ad-migration]

http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/scoop_article.asp?ai=14710&si=123

 

Obadiah Oldbuck on the Auction Block

Auctions/Prices, Scoop, Friday, March 02, 2007

 

As regular Scoop readers know, the first American comic book wasn't Action Comics #1 (1939) or Famous Funnies #1 (1934). Not even close. Now a copy of the earliest known sequential American comic book, The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck, published in 1842, is being offered by Heritage Auction Galleries.

 

“The significance of this incredible artifact is hard to overstate,” Ed Jaster, Vice-President for the Dallas-based company said in a press release. “As the first American comic book, this seminal publication set the stage for a four-color revolution that would take hold almost a century later. It's interesting to note that this copy is printed in black and white and bound with string, as both color printing and staples had yet to be invented!”

 

The copy is a first edition, and less than a dozen copies have been confirmed to exist.

 

“The presentation of this first edition copy of The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck befits its significance,” Jaster said. “It's housed in a beautiful archival presentation folder. Obviously no 'high-grade' copy could be expected to exist for such an early item. We have assigned this an 'apparent' grade because of a meticulous conservation measure that was undertaken. As the conservation expert's notes state, 'The paper and inks were not conserved. The missing sewing was replaced using cotton thread that was acrylic-toned (Winsor & Newton) to appear a light tan color.'”

 

The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck - First Printing will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction, to be held May 3-5, 2007 in the company's headquarters.

 

[chaos_ad-migration]

Is this the same copy as seen here?

 

http://boards.collectors-society.com/sho...rue#Post1291437

[buttock]

Yup, evidently old showcase-4 has decided to let one of his prizes go despite all the hubris. Anyone want to bet this doesn't hit $20k?

[Silver Surfer]

Well if he is going to sell it Heritage would be the best option. I don't know how much of a market there would be for something like this but perhaps Geppi could use it in his museum? Will be interesting to see if a reserve will be put on the book.

[Point Five]

the first American comic book wasn't Action Comics #1 (1939)

 

Hard to argue with that.

[adams]

...and if it doesn't hit reserve that's one hellava buyback penalty!

[143ksk]

the first American comic book wasn't Action Comics #1 (1939)

 

Hard to argue with that.

 

Where to start....

[shiverbones]

I think it will hit $22k

 

I don't know why, its just my gut feeling....

[The Black Hand ®]

I won't even hazard a guess, I'm wrong so often. In fact..do the opposite of what I do as a collector and you'll be fine.

[aardvark88]

I think it will hit $12k less 29.5% for Heritage.

[The Black Hand ®]

I hope a museum will pick it up and I hope the seller makes his money back, but it's a bit too esoteric for my tastes...which are low and common.

[Silver Surfer]

Showcase might be better off approaching Geppi to see if they can work out a trade for a few GA books.

[*paull*]

This auction is going to be fun... it's in the highest profile auction house... we'll find out who's right about the value of this book, no excuses.

 

So basically, the OO / Superman thread was started (and perpetuated well beyond any semblance of reason) for the purpose of shilling up this book for later sale?

[showcase4]

This auction is going to be fun... it's in the highest profile auction house... we'll find out who's right about the value of this book, no excuses.

 

So basically, the OO / Superman thread was started (and perpetuated well beyond any semblance of reason) for the purpose of shilling up this book for later sale?

 

nice conspiracy theory, however like I said before, if you want to sell a Vic/Plat book, the last place you look for buyers would be the GA section of the Boards. The sale and the previous thread are apples and oranges

[Straw-Man]

I think it will hit $12k less 29.5% for Heritage.

 

do any of you know anyone beside the owner who would even consider 5 figures for it? i don't.

[chaos_ad-migration]

I think it will hit $12k less 29.5% for Heritage.

 

do any of you know anyone beside the owner who would even consider 5 figures for it? i don't.

 

Robert Beerbohm?

[batman_fan]

The one thing I know with certainty is that hyping certain books does increase interest and ultimately prices. Look at all the new entries into the War Action titles and pre-Robin Detectives. People that have been chasing these books for some time have added competition and have to pay more. My guess is that the previous pumping of OO has ultimately driven the price up. For myself, still don't consider it a comic regardless of how many "experts" decree it to be. I wouldn't pay more than $50 bucks for it but if I had a copy, I'd gladly sell it to you for 10k P&H included!

[Shield]

this seminal publication set the stage for a four-color revolution that would take hold almost a century later.

 

Sure it did.

 

Did PT Barnum write this ad?

[The Black Hand ®]

this seminal publication set the stage for a four-color revolution that would take hold almost a century later.

 

Sure it did.

 

Did PT Barnum write this ad?

 

I just hurt myself laughing.

[*paull*]

This auction is going to be fun... it's in the highest profile auction house... we'll find out who's right about the value of this book, no excuses.

 

So basically, the OO / Superman thread was started (and perpetuated well beyond any semblance of reason) for the purpose of shilling up this book for later sale?

 

nice conspiracy theory, however like I said before, if you want to sell a Vic/Plat book, the last place you look for buyers would be the GA section of the Boards. The sale and the previous thread are apples and oranges

 

Conspiracy? Nope... just one person.