Well, this Jerk doesn’t really believe that, BUT, the new Overstreet is here!
Finally grabbed a copy and wanted to see if the guide truly reflected the increased activity in comics that I was seeing by following online sales. Basically, yes! However, there is no way it can capture and record all sales as what you see in the guide reflects activity many months prior to distribution.
I have participated as a bidder and a consignor with an auction house in Lansdale, PA – The Archive Auction. They specialize in collectibles of all sorts, so as it goes, “there’s something for everyone”. Naturally, I hone in on the comics. (Yeah, I’m retired from the funny book business, but I still gotta look – and if there’s a steal to be had…). Recently, I picked up a lot of 180 copies of the second print of the “Death of Superman” i.e., Superman #75 in one of their auctions. What was I thinking? How would I ever get rid of that many copies? Thanks, to quick thinking Joe, CBH regular Brett Breeding gladly relieved me of 100. Of course, he got a discount! In their 6/29 auction, besides some golden age issues, was a copy of Ultimate Fall-Out #4, featuring the first appearance of Miles Morales as Spider-Man. The Overstreet at the time of the sale, #51, gave a 9.2 a value of $350. The one that just arrived, #52, has bumped it to $500. So, what would you guess a 9.6 would go for, huh? A thousand? Maybe twelve hundred? Remember, the guide is stating $350. I had it in my “watch list” and a day before the auction was to end, it was already up to $2,200 and some change! Whoa, someone was speculating that it was going to be the new Amazing Fantasy 15 of the modern comics. Looks like at least two people had that vision as the hammer price was $15,800! Now, tack on the 18% buyer’s premium and we’re up to $18,644. Would a dealer with a tax-exempt certificate have bought this? I kinda doubt it. Add the 6% sales tax and we’re nearing 20 large! Oh, I left out one characteristic – this was a “newsstand” copy! Sorry, but that copy you bought from Captain Blue Hen Comics for only $3.99 says “Direct” down in the UPC code rectangle. Still, it’s up to $500, and probably more. You’re welcome.
Being in the right place, at the right time, as in serendipity (the name Bob Horn and I used for the comic book shows we ran 40 years ago), you can still grab a deal here and there – like my Superman 75’s. In the Archive Auction May 11th sale, a copy of Previews, Vol. II, No. 3 sold for $111 before the BP. As mentioned in a previous blog, many characters actually make their first appearance in fanzines and catalogs like Previews. This particular issue had the first ever appearance of Spawn in color. The following month, they had another copy up for grabs. This time it only brought $29!? Right place at the right time. Maybe.
If deciding to consign to an auction house, you have to consider that it does take all of the work off your hands, but they have to make something for their efforts. The bigger and more well-known the house, the potential for getting top dollar increases. Your local houses can’t promise that. When approached about helping someone who inherited a huge, life-long collection recently, someone who had very little experience with the potential value of comics, I suggested going to one of the major auction houses. It wasn’t that I or Captain Blue Hen Comics wouldn’t have loved to purchase the collection, but it was just too much – 50 boxes which included an incredible number of key issues, especially first appearances. Like – a nice copy of Amazing Fantasy 15, a solid copy of Hulk #1 (2 – 6, even doubles, were also present), Brave & Bold 28, Avengers 1, Incredible Hulk 102 and 181(in fact, a complete run of the title!), Amazing Spider-Man 14, 50 121,129, 300, 361, Batman Adventures 12, X-Men 94, Marvel Spotlight 5, Werewolf By Night 32, to name just a few. There were literally 100s and 100s of first appearance issues.
Another friend and collector, who also had very positive experiences with the firm in the past, thought that going to ComicConnect (Metropolis Comics) out of New York would be a good idea. In the comic book world, I can imagine that maybe only Heritage Comics has dealt with and set the kind of record sales on a par with them. It turned out to be a very pleasant experience. After sending a partial list and pictures, Rob Reynolds was the first person I spoke to about the collection. Although they have dealt with multiple copies of Action Comics 1, Detective Comics 27, Marvel Comics #1 and all of the other major issues, he was very enthusiastic and welcoming. The contract that he sent was extremely generous - much better than any of the local houses I have dealt with in the past. Much better! They gave a list of 10 of the top books and they would take nothing out of the high bids they bring at auction! The rest that they put up for auction would only have a 10% commission go to them. Yes, they do add a buyer’s premium, as is normal now, but not an extreme one. Of course, when dropping off 50 boxes, the vast majority just aren’t worth the time and effort to put up for sale in an auction. They agreed to take them also and just pay a lump sum for the bulk. Easy peasy. Everything would be gone at one time. From there, Rob had me in contact with co-founders, Stephen Fishler and Vince Zurzolo. Again, through emails and actual phone conversations, I was treated with great customer service and respect – immediate responses to questions and considerations.
I rented a U-Haul and delivered the comics to New York. Shortly afterward, the owner received a check for the bulk and even a cash advance! As you can imagine, a major auction house like this has many collections coming in regularly. All of the comics I delivered were “raw”. ComicConnect has sent out to be graded, and possibly pressed, those issues that would benefit from such treatment. That takes times, and with the backlog they already had, we don’t expect the comics to be up for bids until next month at the earliest. I’m really excited to get that list of when they go live.
Speaking of excitement, the FIRST STATE COMIC-CON is back!! This Sunday, August 14th after a two year hiatus, it returns to the Millcreek Fire Hall at 3900 Kirkwood Hwy. Unfortunately, the virus is not gone. Things are better, yes, but there are still people who are vulnerable and one can be asymptomatic, yet contagious. Wear a mask. It’s not a big deal!
Paul