Uncensored Action! (The Best of Action)

[geoff42]

the unreleased copy of the last pre-ban Action (of which 30 were printed) is now currently bidding at £730. I didn't even think about bidding as I knew this copy, regarding its lovely condition (an irritating ebay clique... but this really is on scan) will definitely reach a four figure sum.. Out of my league. But, me thinks, this transcends a comic enthusiast's objective to seek his/her Holy Grail. This is pure investment. Any friendly wagers on the outcome of this auction? I reckon it will surpass £1500 at least... any takers?

[blaing]

As there is a few days to go, it could (not saying it will, though) reach £2000.

[Lew Stringer]

the unreleased copy of the last pre-ban Action (of which 30 were printed) is now currently bidding at £730. I didn't even think about bidding as I knew this copy, regarding its lovely condition (an irritating ebay clique... but this really is on scan) will definitely reach a four figure sum.. Out of my league. But, me thinks, this transcends a comic enthusiast's objective to seek his/her Holy Grail. This is pure investment. Any friendly wagers on the outcome of this auction? I reckon it will surpass £1500 at least... any takers?

I'd say £1,700. Possibly more.

The amount people bid is relevant to their wealth. It doesn't necessarily mean it's solely for investment. A lot of people are earning £50,000 or more a year these days, so spending £2,000 on something they really want isn't going to make a big dent in their bank account.

Look at Jonathan Ross for instance. Not a typical example obviously, but there's no denying he's not a genuine comics fan. So if he or someone else with the same sort of disposable income wins the comic, good luck to them.

By the way, the strips from that issue were published in Action: The Story of a Violent Comic, by Martin Barker. Long out of print but worth tracking down.

[Phoenix]

But, methinks, this transcends a comic enthusiast's objective to seek his/her Holy Grail. This is pure investment.

The word investment carries the implication of a future sale for a significant profit. Whatever the hammer price turns out to be, £2000, £4000 or whatever, I can't see the new owner being prepared to sell it at all, certainly not simply to double or triple his/her outlay. My instinct tells me that this 'missing' issue will go to a collector of Action, one with a significant and seriously irritating hole in his/her full run.

[ISPYSHHHGUY]

I have wondered why exactly it is that this issue in particular is so sought-after.....perhaps it is the repeated use of the repellent term suicide so emblazoned upon the cover that has fanned the flames of this covers' undoubted notoriety------ this still-tabboo phrase it is not a term you commonly see anywhere on the front cover of any journal, let alone a 'kid's comic'.

On this cover, we see the term instructing the reader to 'commit' this act like it is a thrilling attraction and I cannot remember seeing this idea presented anywhere else in printed history [could be wrong, of course].

It is not often I have had comic-cover images deleted by the image-host site after I added material, but this particular cover was abruptly removed by imageshack very soon after I added it onto a comics site-----it must be the unplalatable term 'suicide' that ruffled their feathers [whoever removed it].

[Lew Stringer]

I have wondered why exactly it is that this issue in particular is so sought-after.....

Didn't you read the description on the eBay page, Rab? Only 30 issues were printed, and it was never distributed or sold.

I know of an IPC editor who had a copy, and other staff members were likely to be the ones who had the rest, but it never reached the streets.

[Phoenix]

By the way, the strips from that issue were published in Action: The Story of a Violent Comic, by Martin Barker. Long out of print but worth tracking down.

Further to Lew's comment above, in his footnote to his introduction to that book Martin Barker states More detailed information about my research into Action and its readers, and some additional reprinted stories, are available in my Comics: Ideology, Power and the Critics, Manchester University Press 1989. For anyone interested in following this up, Martin is referring to chapters 2 and 3 (pp 17 to 61).

[dishes]

By the way, the strips from that issue were published in Action: The Story of a Violent Comic, by Martin Barker. Long out of print but worth tracking down.

Further to Lew's comment above, in his footnote to his introduction to that book Martin Barker states More detailed information about my research into Action and its readers, and some additional reprinted stories, are available in my Comics: Ideology, Power and the Critics, Manchester University Press 1989. For anyone interested in following this up, Martin is referring to chapters 2 and 3 (pp 17 to 61).

That was a good book. I read it in my university library.

[colcool007]

I have a copy of that book and I was lucky to get a copy for less than £30 in 2005. I agree that this issue of Action is most likely to go to a fan that WANTS it. And I will be very surprised if it goes for anything less than £1,500.

Each time a copy has gone on sale, the price has climbed. The first one I saw hit £300 on Ebay and the last one was sold through Compal comics. I would love to be able to bid on it, but it is already outside of my price range. I wish anyone who is able to bid on it well.

[geoff42]

It has already eclipsed a grand. Yep, it will easily clear £1500. I'm upping my original estimate (it was a friendly wager! £2500 is my latest projection. This may really surprise us all.

[Lew Stringer]

It has already eclipsed a grand. Yep, it will easily clear £1500. I'm upping my original estimate (it was a friendly wager! £2500 is my latest projection. This may really surprise us all.

The mad thing is; why is there a bidding war going on now, a week before the auction ends? Why not wait until the last day? This is getting as strange as those bids for TV Tornado.

[Phoenix]

why is there a bidding war going on now, a week before the auction ends? Why not wait until the last day?

Perhaps we are simply watching the minnows flexing their muscles, with the high rollers keeping their powder dry for the final skirmishing. If so, this item could easily turn out to be by far the most expensive lot that Phil Shrimpton has ever, or even will ever, auction. Either way I can imagine a permanent grin on Phil's face already, as he contemplates the commission he will be collecting from both the buyer and the seller.

[Lew Stringer]

why is there a bidding war going on now, a week before the auction ends? Why not wait until the last day?

Perhaps we are simply watching the minnows flexing their muscles, with the high rollers keeping their powder dry for the final skirmishing. If so, this item could easily turn out to be by far the most expensive lot that Phil Shrimpton has ever, or even will ever, auction. Either way I can imagine a permanent grin on Phil's face already, as he contemplates the commission he will be collecting from both the buyer and the seller.

So Phil acts as an agent to sell comics for others? I wasn't aware of that. I always thought they were items from his own collection.

[SID]

Must admit, it is tempting.

[Phoenix]

So Phil acts as an agent to sell comics for others? I wasn't aware of that. I always thought they were items from his own collection.

He is not unlike Malcolm Phillips in that respect. I don't know what Phil's collection consists of, but I'm sure he's no Denis Gifford, the auction of whose lifetime collection by Martin Hamer took just fifteen days. How many auctions has Phil had to date? In any case, if Phil is/was a completist, I can't see any reason why he would want to sell it now, given that he is a relatively young guy with lots of collecting still to do.