posted on August 13, 2002 03:34:56 PM new
Hi Comic Book Experts,
Can you please look at my auctions under eBay seller id darcyw and tell me what is special about the comics I put up for auction.
I brought up a box of comics from the basement that my husband had when he was a boy. I didn't want to sell the comics individually, so I grouped them by category. I know nothing about comics, other than I read them when I was a girl.
Since I listed the auctions I have been inundated with emails from eBayers. The last email offered me one thousand dollars to cancel all of the auctions and sell everything to that person. Don't worry, I am not stupid and won't do that. If there is value, I assume the dealers will snipe just like dealers in all of the other categories on eBay.
I've since learned that the Classics Illustrated are mostly first edition; a considerate collector emailed me and told me to put the HRN number for each issue in the auction which I did.
But what exactly is worth one thousand dollars to a dealer?
posted on August 13, 2002 05:33:29 PM new
Hi opmom911,
The comics are not a collection, just comics my husband had when he was a boy. My husband has Alzheimers and likes having me sell his books and such while he has a minimal awareness as to what is going on.
I sold his law books earlier this month, along with some of his history books, then I listed the comics and I will finish up with the remainder of his history books until after September 11 comes and goes. Then I will resume selling what I normally sell.
The side benefits are that I have no inventory acquisition cost, plus I am moving the contents of a lot of boxes out of the house to people who can use the books or resell them.
posted on August 13, 2002 06:01:42 PM new
I Apologize, I didn't mean to demean you or your husband as I wasn't aware of your circumstances. What I ment to infer was what I would do if my wife sold comics without prior approval. Again I wish to express my deapest sympathy for his condition. I know what you are going through, my brother's mother in law just passed after suffering the same illness for many years.
posted on August 13, 2002 06:20:44 PM new
I, too, owe you an apology. My fingers spoke without asking for permission. My prayers are with you and your family.
Have you checked any area collectors? Ask a couple for some time of "baseline" price. Even if you have to pay a little, it sounds like it may be worth it.
Keep us posted- on both your commics and your husband.
posted on August 13, 2002 06:34:17 PM new
bear1949 and opmom911,
The apologies are not necessary, but thank you anyway.
I know there is a price guide for comic books called Overstreet, but I did not want to buy another reference book and learn about comics when all I had to sell was this one box from the late 1940s to early 1950s, so I didn't want to learn an entire collectible category when I would not be selling in that category again. I figured if I put up the comics with adequate descriptions, that despite the summer slump the auction process would bring a reasonable market price.
I am just curious as to which of the comics has the value. It might be the Adventures of Bob Hope. I never even knew there were Bob Hope comics until I sorted through this box, much less Ozzie and Harriet comics. And Babe Ruth Sports comics. Or maybe because there are some first issues.
Anyway, hoping someone can tell me what the comic dealers are focusing on to generate so much email to me, just to know, that is all.
posted on August 13, 2002 06:41:41 PM new
Hi, I looked at your listings, while I do not know where the $1000 would go, I guess for all; the DC Bob Hope comics are very collectible and in demand; The Donald Duck comics are classics and I think that is where the hi dollars will probably go, just a guess though. I do not know much about the Classic Illustrated but the early or first prints alwawys do well; since these are all old and in good or better condition, they should all do very well for you; hope this helps, as I love comics but sell stamps and postcards know not much about the comics business.
posted on August 13, 2002 08:42:05 PM new
Hi texaseagle,
Thanks for the info. Right now the Bob Hope and Classics Illustrated are in the lead, so perhaps those are the auctions with the value.
I've had over two dozen Ask A Seller A Question contacts from comic book dealers and collectors on these auctions. The last time this happened to me was when I purchased a collection of antique hand carved ivory pieces at an estate auction and got bombarded with questions when I listed the pieces, which was several years ago.
It must be real competitive in the comic book industry.
Next summer, I may try to sell the boxes and boxes and boxes of Playboys my husband has in the basement. I'm not certain that I want to have adult material on my listing id; I believe he has the issues that go back to the first year, though probably not the real valuable Marilyn Monroe issue number one, and so it is tempting to sell the magazines on eBay during the summer slump to have that cash flow. I just don't know if I want to sell adult material; it makes me feel squeemish and I don't want any of my repeat customers to get upset.
posted on August 13, 2002 08:56:29 PM new
I had some playboy items to sell and didn't know what to do so I emailed someone selling playboy items to help me in what the prices should be. They got me in touch with someone in the east and He bought them. I feel I got a fair price for them, especially since I found them dumpster diving.
posted on August 13, 2002 09:02:46 PM new
I don't think your repeat customers would care. Everyone sometime in their life has to do something they don't like. Selling Playboy magazines has no bearing on what or who you are. This is a business and they would understand that. Just think that they are adult comic books.
The prices are based on "fine" condition.
Those are the only issues I saw posted in the Bob Hope auction. If you want more prices I'd be more than happy to look them up for you.
posted on August 13, 2002 10:57:48 PM new
tsunamii,
Wow! I guess the comics do have value. I am astonished. I really had no idea.
The auctions won't go that high because the dealers have to bid so they can make a profit. And the collectors who are bidding want to get a deal. Plus it is the summer slump. Still....and to think I was going to be happy if I got $30 an auction.
I bet there will be some sniping in the last seconds if some of those issues are rare.
I just hope I described the condition accurately on each issue.
Libra63, you are probably correct about the Playboys in the basement. My regular customers may not mind. And they would be easy to sell. I will save them for next summer. And who knows what else is down there. It is a huge basement that we had been putting boxes and possessions into for 25 years of marriage. I never went poking into my husband's boxes before so there may be more than books, magazines and comics down there. Gosh, the comics came as a pleasant surprise when I lifted the lid off the box, expecting to see more law or history books, and instead found the comics. I believe some of his wine is quite valuable, but I don't think you can sell wine on eBay.
Also, when I was young and going to college I remember some one leaving about ten boxes of playboys out in the alley by my apartment window. Those playboys sat there for weeks until the garbage man hauled them off. Today, something like that wouldn't last ten minutes because an ebayer would walk by and haul them off.
posted on August 14, 2002 05:26:16 AM new
Hi hotcupoftea,
Another option for the Playboy's would be to get another eBay I.D. and sell them using it. Just a thought. I have two, one for selling, one for buying. This way your regular customer wouldn't know.
posted on August 14, 2002 08:26:20 AM new
As you mentioned earlier, the Overstreet Guide is generally what established comics DEALERS sell them for.
Most serious dealers would probably pay half of the Guide price or less. Now if a collector bids, the sky's the limit.
Even though it's summer and all the other things you mentioned, you'll probably still do better selling them on eBay than taking them to a local comic store.
I'll bet you never guessed that a nickel comic book would sell for more than books from a law library, did you?
posted on August 14, 2002 09:55:37 AM new
hotcupoftea, I am very excited for you. I sell comics all the time on eBay... obviously I want the Gold era ones to sell (1938-1955) as they go for fabulous amounts of money per comic. I usually go to auctions and buy them at about 25 cents a piece and sell them for an average of $11 each and that is usually for very bad condition. Yours seem to be in pretty good shape and you will make a nice amount of $$ on them. I always keep in mind that you will have snipers on almost every one of your auctions...especially with a collection like that. The classics will astound you in the end as well, I would venture to guess they will end at $600 or so. Don't quote me on that but that is what I would plan on getting for a lot like that, but I list individually so that makes a little difference.
My thoughts are with you and your husband as I realize this is a trying time... I am certain he will be thrilled when you tell him what his old comics sold for. Imagine back then thinking that those comics that cost less than 12 or 15 cents would bring so much money and he got the enjoyment of reading all of them...probably more than once.
I wish you the best of luck and have fun!!!
posted on August 14, 2002 11:00:22 AM new
WOW!
If only my collection had those!
One reason of course for the high bids is that comics from that time are hard to find in Fine or better condition. The paper was of lesser quality as was the printing process. Also back then they didn't have acid free backing boards, mylar sleeves, vacuum sealed uv protected super vaults and the like which means that paper will yellow or mildew easier than todays comics. Most comics were actually READ back then and rolled up and stuffed in a kids back pocket. So getting old comics in this condition is a great find.
Also print runs were much lower than those of today so finding copies of some comics is extremelly hard.
The Bob Hope comics are in this group. Although he was a great celebrity at the time, he still was not a Capt. America, Superman etc. so the appeal was limited which meant less comics published.
The Donald Duck comics are in great demand especially if containing Carl Barks art.
And also notice the amount of pages in each comic. Bob Hope states 52 pages. Now look to see how many of those pages had ads, not many and all this for 10 cents compare that to the $3 comics of today with hopefully 12 pages of art and story.
Many people will bid on these to reclaim their lost youth or share these gems with their children or grandchildren.
posted on August 14, 2002 02:16:20 PM new
I was reading what mrhaneys and other nice posters said about the condition of the comics. My husband moved a lot as a boy; his mother and step-father moved at least once a year, sometimes more, to different towns in the Northwest. I was curious, so I asked my husband how he managed to keep the comics through so many moves. He said, "I don't know, maybe because I kept them in boxes." I said, "Huh, boxes, you mean there is more than one box of comics in the basement?" But the Alzheimers kicked in right then, he got real confused, said he thought he had more than one box, but maybe not.
So .... I may find more comics in my future. And all these years I assumed all of the boxes were tax records and such. I just go down into the basement to leave stuff, not to poke around, until recently.
Makes me wonder what the rest of you have in your basements, attics, garages and barns. We've lived in our house for 25 years, stuff gets packed up and put down there, then promptly forgotten. My basement is an eBayer's paradise. I even have a complete foos ball table still in the huge heavy ping-pong table size box, something my husband purchased at Costco about 15 years ago then realized he lacked the mechanical aptitude to put together. The box remains unopened. I lack the muscle power to get it out of the basement. I am 48, have 30 more years in this house, unless I sell when my husband dies, and if I am still in this house that foos ball table will be an almost-antique when I turn into a little old lady.
posted on August 14, 2002 03:15:51 PM new
If you find more comics down there, I hope you will take the time to list each book one at a time. you will net much more that way. Good luck.
posted on August 16, 2002 02:03:07 PM new
Hi kahml,
Once an auction gets a bid, the seller cannot revise the title I suspect the auction will get some last second sniping, though, just because I've received so many Ask A Seller A Question emails.
Looking back I can see where my final prices would be higher if I had listed each comic individually. But gosh that would have been a lot of work, and particularly when I know nothing about grading the quality of a comics book.
I normally sell antique French porcelain. That is my passion. My cupboards are filled with inventory of rare, unique and beautiful pieces to sell once the summer is over. My intent on selling my husband's books and other things, such as the comics, was to clear space and keep auctions going during the summer slump. His law school had put the contents of his law office into boxes, then stored the boxes about 2 1/2 years ago when it became evident that my husband could not teach anymore.
Last month the law school delivered the boxes to my house, over 200 boxes, and I had to cope with the contents, mainly books, his years of lecture notes, his research materials and the books he had been in progress in writing. The books sold quite well and the buyers seem delighted with their purchases. So I decided to start bringing some of his things up from the basement, didn't realize what a monumental amount of stuff is down there, and ended up finding the comics. I listed the comics, not thinking of their value, but thinking what a relief it would be to sell some things that didn't have the weight of those enormous law books.
And at the back of my mind the thought niggles that I will need to have that basement cleaned out in a few years, because if my husband dies within 5 years I am tempted to sell and move to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, a quite beautiful place where one can watch pods of whales, take a ferry to British Columbia, the speed limit isn't past 35 mph so the roads are perfect for bicycling and there are parks with lots of trails for hiking, plus Victoria, Vancouver and Seattle are within easy distance via sea plane, boat or ferry. At the same time, my husband is showing a bit of interest in seeing his things sold, which is good for him because though he is confused, he remembers enough from day-to-day to understand that things he liked are going to people who share the same interests he had. He likes that, knowing this is being done while he can understand it, rather than waiting until he is a vegetable or dead.
posted on August 16, 2002 02:49:21 PM new
well thank goodness you didn't accept the email offer. they are going to go well over the $1000 mark before it is over. last minute snipers will amaze you.
good luck and my prayers are with you and your husband.
posted on August 17, 2002 04:42:20 PM new
Hi everyone,
The 14 comics auctions ended with a total of $2522.99. That is $1522.99 more than the person offered me if I were to cancel the auctions and sell to him directly.
The next time someone posts to this board and asks if they should end an auction and sell directly to the person who contacted them, remember this story, that the difference for me exceeded fifteen hundred dollars.
It was sure fun having the auctions up. Yesterday my husband asked me how the Alley Oop comics were selling and I said, "What Alley Oop comics?" Perhaps I will find more boxes of comics in the basement eventually if my husband thinks he owned Alley Oop. Or again, it just may be his mental confusion.
posted on August 18, 2002 10:14:08 PM new
Yes keep us posted on your finds!~ It is great fun It's nice your husband can enjoy this some too! I bet he does have more comics!
posted on August 19, 2002 04:29:26 AM new
wow!
sorry to have caught this thread so late but it sounds like you did super!
My start on eBay was through comic books!
AMAZINGLY nice bidders, incredibly helpful, too!
I had taken my dad's comics to a store that I had frequented for a few years (to buy pokemon stuff/hockey cards for the kids). After three days, he offered me $100 for the lot. No Way. Sure, they were yellowed but heck, they were 40-50 years old, stored in a NY basement!
I had never sold / shopped / or played on eBay. No scanner, no camera, no templates, no appraisal, no grading system for the books.
They were all science fiction, I separated them into lots of 3-8 by title.
I received thousands of e-mails! 99.999% friendly, helpful, informative, well written, too! ONE nasty note. Fire spewing moron who 'assaulted' me! Ugly e-mail accusing me of being a fly by night pig in a poke something or other (I didn't answer).
Half way through the auctions I bought a scanner & was e-mailing pics all over the place! There was no writing in them, never rolled up or pages folded. All said & done, I made over $3000 and the majority of the issues went to collector's who would personally appreciate the books.
I found a new career and lotsa cool folks got an awesome deal!
I deal primarily in upscale clothing & I have some awesome bidders but I will forever adore comic book collectors!
