Still sitting home, biding my time, but although we have some time before the pandemic is under control, at least the crazy political situation should be over with soon. So…Happy New Year!
Picking up comics for possible resale is continuing to be tough. The guide is just that – a guide – and as this is being typed the new values that we expect to see in next year’s Overstreet are being calculated. Will they reflect what I have been observing for quite some time? Lower grade, even incomplete copies, of keys and golden age have been bringing multiples of guide.
As mentioned in the past, I routinely check out the offerings put up by the seller “blissard”. Typically, he lists several hundred every week, with interesting items ending Sunday evening and loads of Harvey comics file copies, promotional comics, and others on Monday night. He offers his opinion as to grade, which I have found to be pretty conservative. (I’ve won a few auctions over the years and been happy.) He also gives the closest value that Overstreet states for his given grade. It’s amazing how often he manages to get way more than guide value. To illustrate, here are a few examples of comics that I “watched” he sold just this week (ended 1/3):
Superman # 3 – a coverless copy with a coupon clipped. Guide for a 2.0 = $1,640 SOLD for $1,610
Harvey Comics Library #1 (Teenage Dope Slaves) a raw, restored to an apparent fair condition Overstreet 2.0 says $309,, it SOLD for $551
Worlds Finest #3 CGC graded 2.5 Overstreet 4.0 + #834 SOLD for $2,750!
Wonder Woman #6 CGC graded 3.5 Overstreet 4.0 = $1,622 SOLD for $4,050
United Comics # 21 (tied for 1st appearance of Peanuts) CGC graded 3.5 Overstreet 4.0 = $580 SOLD for $1,086
Now, I didn’t really expect to win any of these. In fact, I didn’t even place a bid – just a lookie-loo. However, I DID bid on the following items in another auction that ended just 12/30. All of these were “raw” copies with appointments needed to inspect due to COVID concerns. Since it was an hour drive each way, I had to rely on the few pictures offered. Prices include 15% buyers’ premium:
Raphael the one-shot from TMNT Overstreet 9.2 = $150 SOLD for $2,139!!! That's not a misprint!
10 copies of Ghost Rider #1 (early 90s series) Overstreet 9.2 - $350 Sold for $339.25
10 copies of The Killing Joke (1st print) Overstreet 9.2 = $750 SOLD for $$1,044
Hulk 271 (1st Rocket Raccoon in comics) Overstreet 9.2 = $200 sold for $270.25
10 copies of Spawn #1 Overstreet 9.2 = $400 SOLD for $404.80
Marvel Preview magazine #4 (1 1st Starlord) Overstreet 9.2 = $395 Sold for $471.50
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars complete 12 issue set Overstreet 9.2 = $230 SOLD for $317.40
I bid on all of the these, hoping to get them with a “little left on the bone” to be able to offer them for sale.
Those 10 copy lots would take a while to recoup my bids but I figured they would sell due to popularity. Only someone like myself, a retailer, would have interest in getting that many – unless it was a steal. And, remember, I’m listing the Overstreet value at a full 9.2 value and it’s unlikely they were. Someone
paid over $40 a pop for the Spawn 1’s. They sit in the shop at $25? Ghost Riders at $35. Check with joe, as I believe I left him a bunch and priced a way less.
I didn’t bid on them, but a number of fairly recent comics that came back from CGC with a nice 9.8 grade sold for less than the cost of having them graded.
As much as I enjoy wheeling and dealing with comics (been doing it for 45 years), I see my days and opportunities continue coming to an end. To clear up tax records, I suspended my eBay sales during December but have relisted some at an even more reduced price recently. Check out seller – COASTALCANDC if interested. Looking for some sweet deals on sets? Email me at CBHCOMICS@MSN.COM for a list. I can bring them to the shop or meet you at a convenient spot.
STAY SAFE and get that vaccination