Priceless Gold

Recently, a previously unknown collector came out on the CGC Message Boards and started displaying comics from his utterly mind-boggling, high-grade Golden Age collection.

Several noted Golden Age experts commented that this collection features some of the best examples of certain books that they'd ever seen.

The still anonymous collector stated that, in 1971, he purchased an original owner collection of 1,000 high grade Golden Age comics for $7,500... or $7.50 a book for some of the finest examples in existence. Interestingly, the person this collector purchased the books from had found them bundled on the curb waiting to be taken with the garbage!

The fact that a collection like this has survived unknown to the community at large makes one wonder how many other outstanding personal collections may be squirreled away, still waiting to make a public debut.

By the way, the owner of this collection has no interest in selling at this time.

Superman 1, Nazi Tank 0

Another Action Comics war cover off the wantlist!

From September 1941...

Zombie Fantastic Four #8

Typically, I'm not one to buy into the Variant Cover madness which has returned to the comic collecting hobby just as the chrome and hologram covers did a decade ago.

I suppose it's only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down again. With the prevalence of variants, multiple covers, and superstar artists calling the shots, there are plenty of people already predicting the imminent demise of the modern market.

That said, I couldn't resist the Arthur Suydam Zombie variant cover to Ultimate Fantastic Four 32... it's a fun homage -- or swipe -- of the Silver Age classic Fantastic Four #8 originally drawn by Jack Kirby. This cover is a 1:15 variant.

Astronaut Archives

Long time space dealer and collector Gerry Montague has finally joined the Internet Age and developed a website -- Astronaut Archives.

It's not exactly the latest in design or flash, but he has some great items for sale. Gerry is one of the best -- if not the best -- in terms of authenticity and no worries transactions.l

Gerald Ford: A Friend To Autograph Collectors

With all the coverage of the late President Ford, one aspect that surely won't be discussed is that President Ford was a dear friend to autograph collectors. The President signed freely for many years and was most generous. It wasn't until he suffered a stroke several years ago that he started turning down requests for his signature.

I was fortunate enough to receive a number of signed items from him, including this photo from the first Presidential Debate of the 1976 election. Perhaps my favorite however, is a large signed engraving of his portrait.

God speed, President Ford.

What I Learned In 2006

I learned a lot this year, but in terms of collecting, it can be summed up by these bullet points.

• The difference between collecting and accumulating

• Quality always trumps quantity

• You have to pay for quality. Very rarely will you get a "steal" on a true quality item.

• There is a great sense of satisfaction in selling a dozen items you won't miss and buying one item you really love

• There is a very fuzzy and subjective line between 9.6 and 9.8, and it's not worth paying a huge premium for a subjective .2 difference that could change on any given day

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all of my readers. This blog has been a lot of fun, and I enjoy all the comments people send.

Here's a little something that I've wanted for quite a while... a gorgeous Alex Schomburg cover and it's notoriously tough to find in high grade. Perhaps the best Marvel cover of the Bronze Age.

Leo's Pop Culture Palace

My buddy Leo "The Listmaker" has a great new blog, Pop Culture Palace.

You see, Leo is one of those people obsessed with making Top 10, Top 20, Top-whatever type lists and he's channeled his obsession into a fun blog chock-full of videos, music and more. Definitely worth a bookmark...

Fantastic Four 12 13 14 15 VF 8.0 Glossy High Grade Run

This auction will be fun to watch.

I don't think the 12 or 14 grade as high as 8.0, but they are still great copies of tough books. The 13, however, is the pick of the litter... that is a real nice copy of an extremely tough book in high grade.

That said, these books would command so much more if they were slabbed. I'm not implying these books are restored in any way, but how could anyone drop major coin on raw books after all we know about trimming scandals?

Merry Christmas To Me

Thanks to Ted at Superworld for a good deal on a nice book. One more Action Comics war cover off the want list.

One of my favorite early Action covers. From April 1941 with Wayne Boring cover art...

The Collectibles Trainwreck

I'm coming to the frightening realization that the collectibles market is a sad, sad joke.

I've been trying to sell a number of items on eBay and it has been an eye-opening nightmare.

I've listed Diamond Select Medium Fantastic Four statues numerous times and I can't get rid of them at HALF of what I paid. The "retail" on these is $85 and I'm lucky to get a bite at $30. Between the numerous relisting fees and the Paypal fees, I'm lucky to net $10 on something for which I paid $62. It seems as though the only statues that appreciate in value are the old Bowens. Everything else is disposable and worthless the second you click the "pay" button.

A Babe Ruth Salvino figurine cost me $25 ten years ago, and it went unsold after numerous listings at $9.95.

Midgrade comics have less value than toilet paper... midgrade Bronze books gather dust at less than 50 cents a book. I'd get more value by throwing them in the wood burning stove and heating my home.

A Michael Collins (Apollo 11) signed NASA Litho was selling for $400 years ago, but he has since started doing private signing with a memorabilia dealer ($300 a signature) and I can't get a bid over $50 because mine is personalized. No joke... 4 years ago I could have sold this for $400 in a minute, now I can't break $50. I'd rather let it rot in my closet than give it away for less than $200.

I have binders of authentic quality entertainment autographs that I paid $20 - $50 each that I can't get a bid at $9.99. So many forgeries have flooded eBay that you have to dump the real stuff at pennies on the dollar. It's truly a nightmare that makes me want to pack it all up and ship it off to an auction house.

Good God... I'm depressing myself.

Wonderful 70s Cheese

One of my guilty pleasures is Machine Man. I loved this series as a kid and still have a soft spot for it. Kirby and Ditko art... what's not to love?

So, Machine Man is a series that I'm looking to collect in 9.6/9.8 condition. Here's the first book off the checklist:

I also picked up a copy of Machine Man 12 CGC 9.6 for $10! Gotta love getting books for less than the slabbing fee!