Some ebay sales figures for first issues of UK comics

[stevezodiac]

3 or 4 years ago I bought a bunch of vintage comics including a load of Victorian issues. When they arrived the seller didn't charge me for one title (there were about 20 of them - can't remember the title) because he said they were crumbling and not worth charging for. Sure enough they were all in a single polythene bag with lots of "confetti" in the bottom. They are actually quite nice looking but just crumbling around the edges. The thing is I have never removed them from the bag for fear of what may happen. One day when I have a nice big table to empty them onto i might give them the once over. In cases like this (where the spine has gone) you can always get an A3 document wallet pad from Smiths (they have twenty A3 polythene sleeves) and you can put one page in each sleeve. That way you can still view the comic normally without further deterioration through handling. I have several of those pads as they are handy for storing the really large comics like Puck, Comic Life, Merry Moments and Lot-O-Fun which you just cannot get bags for.

[Lew Stringer]

My criteria for comic condition is: readable. Because i care about the stories above all else, and certianly above how much i might theoretically get for them!

Fair enough. I should say that I never buy comics for investment. I just like to feel comfortable reading them, not be put off by stains, rips, mould, tanning etc. I've seen some comics that look like they've been kept in a damp shed for 20 years, - and smell like it too. Wouldn't touch 'em with a bargepole.

Lew

[Lew Stringer]

3 or 4 years ago I bought a bunch of vintage comics including a load of Victorian issues. When they arrived the seller didn't charge me for one title (there were about 20 of them - can't remember the title) because he said they were crumbling and not worth charging for. Sure enough they were all in a single polythene bag with lots of "confetti" in the bottom. They are actually quite nice looking but just crumbling around the edges. The thing is I have never removed them from the bag for fear of what may happen. One day when I have a nice big table to empty them onto i might give them the once over. In cases like this (where the spine has gone) you can always get an A3 document wallet pad from Smiths (they have twenty A3 polythene sleeves) and you can put one page in each sleeve. That way you can still view the comic normally without further deterioration through handling. I have several of those pads as they are handy for storing the really large comics like Puck, Comic Life, Merry Moments and Lot-O-Fun which you just cannot get bags for.

Thanks for the tip. I must admit I just keep my comics in cardboard boxes. Doesn't seem to have done them any harm, but those documents sound good for the more flimsy comics like those vintage 8 pagers.

Lew

[Raven]

My criteria for comic condition is: readable. Because i care about the stories above all else, and certianly above how much i might theoretically get for them!

Fair enough. I should say that I never buy comics for investment. I just like to feel comfortable reading them, not be put off by stains, rips, mould, tanning etc. I've seen some comics that look like they've been kept in a damp shed for 20 years, - and smell like it too. Wouldn't touch 'em with a bargepole.

Lew

Quite so. I don't think any of us buy comics because of our love for crisp paper and shiny staples, and I never think about "investment" or re-selling, but I don't want to have filthy, rotting, fetid things in my house. Great condition comics are aesthetically pleasing; often beautiful items, but stained, ripped, rusted, tanned ones are gross to look at and very off-putting to read - and I'd feel uncomfortable having them round the house.

[alanultron5]

In Summer 2000 on the COMPAL auction site the first five issues of Sparky sold for £220 in Fine condition! Reason bieng that issues 1, 2 &3 still had the free gifts! Oh! if only I had been re-collecting then!!

[klakadak-ploobadoof]

The 1st issue of Smash with free gift sold for GBP 355.00 on ebay earlier tonight.

[klakadak-ploobadoof]

The same ebay seller is selling the 1st Beezer, the high bid at this time is GBP 235.00. It will be interesting to see if it will go any higher when the auction ends tomorrow.

[Captain Storm]

The by-product of collecting comics is that invariably because they are printed on paper and because the elements over the course of 20 to 30 plus years have an adverse effect on them subjects them to many unpleasantries including mould and stains should not detract the serious collector.When I first purchased the Valiant Book of Magic and Mystery the smell pervaded the entire house but thankfully soon disippated.The fact of the matter was that the very contents more than offset the temporary discomfiture.In essense,it was a diamond in the rough!

The Cap.

[Lew Stringer]

The by-product of collecting comics is that invariably because they are printed on paper and because the elements over the course of 20 to 30 plus years have an adverse effect on them subjects them to many unpleasantries including mould and stains should not detract the serious collector.When I first purchased the Valiant Book of Magic and Mystery the smell pervaded the entire house but thankfully soon disippated.The fact of the matter was that the very contents more than offset the temporary discomfiture.In essense,it was a diamond in the rough!

The Cap.

It really comes down to storage and handling, not just age. I have a copy of that same book that I bought on publication and it's pretty much as good as new. And a comic that's only 20 to 30 years old shouldn't really show signs of aging at all. That's the period where I started work in comics and all my Busters, Oinks, Transformers etc are near-mint.

It's all about how they've been handled and where they've been stored. A comic will only get mold on it if it's stored in the damp. Perhaps some sellers keep their comics in sheds or garages or something. Guaranteed to ruin them.

Incidentally, £355 for Smash! no.1? Blimey! Well done that seller!

Lew

[Captain Storm]

Hi Lew.Yes,you're perfectly right of course.It is all down to handling and storage.Alas the seller neglected to tell me that the book stank(quite literally ) But I was happy just to have it all the same.

The Cap.

[Lew Stringer]

Hi Lew.Yes,you're perfectly right of course.It is all down to handling and storage.Alas the seller neglected to tell me that the book stank(quite literally ) But I was happy just to have it all the same.

The Cap.

As you said if you're happy with it that's the main thing. I'm a bit cautious of buying old annuals now as some seller's opinions of "excellent condition" sometimes means "tatty and yellowed but still has its cover on". Even some annuals that seem ok might still stink if they come from a smoker's home. (Fellow non-smokers here will understand. )

Anyway, we seem to have drifted off topic. Sorry.

Lew

[klakadak-ploobadoof]

As a follow up to my yesterday’s post about ebay auction for the 1st edition of BEEZER (no free gift, one centre fold that has been flattened, no tears, marks, writing), it ended with the winning bid of £385.

Below are results of several auctions by the same seller from today. His auction descriptions said all items came from a collection built up by his father who had a standing order for 1st issues, no matter what publication. One smart Dad, wasn’t he?..

1st edition of TV CENTURY 21, no free gift. No tears, writing, or even folds, as has been stored flat. Winning bid: £398.78
1st edition of HORNET from Sept 14th 1963, no free gift. Stored flat, no tears, folds, or writing. Winning bid: £39
1st edition of LION from Feb 23 1952, no free gift. Stored flat, no tears, folds, or writing. Winning bid: £285.78
1st edition of MARTY from Jan 23 1960, no free gift. Stored flat, no tears, folds, or writing. Winning bid: £204
1st edition of GIRL from Nov 2 1953, Stored flat, no tears, or writing, but one fold. Winning bid: £195
1st edition of HURRICANE from 29 Feb 1964, Stored flat, no tears, or writing, no fold. Includes free gift. Winning bid: £511

Here are some more results from that same seller’s previous auctions:

1st edition of THE VICTOR from Feb 25th 1961, no free gift. Winning bid: £107
1st edition of JUDY from Jan 16th 1960, no free gift. Winning bid: £127
1st edition TV TOYLAND from 28th May 1966, includes the free gift of stand up figures of Pinky and Perky, and clothes for them to wear. Winning bid: £117
1st edition of BUSTER from 28th May 1960, no free gift. Winning bid: £102
1st edition of ROXY from March 15th 1958, no free gift. Winning bid: £160
1st edition of EAGLE from 14 April 1950. Winning bid: £204

[Raven]

And his first issue of CANDY went for £230.

[colcool007]

KP, you missed the Issue 1 of Victor that sold for £207 on the same day as the ones that seller pamlovesme sold that pile of Number 1's. I was tempted to go for the Ranger issue 1 as until one hour to go, it was still at a tenner, then it flew up the price range.

[Digifiend]

Curse those last minute bidders, eh?