Money hey comic book collectors - Page 2

**bogey** · 09-08-2013, 10:56 AM

I need your expertise. The guy next door is moving out. He's having an estate sale today. This guy is a very nice guy, keeps to himself but we have occasional conversations. He's eccentric (sp), odd, 60ish years old. Anyway, he has a collection of comic books, 3 boxes, at least 1000 books. At least 50% are still in wrappers. They're clean, dry dust free, blah, blah, blah. Is there any way to put a value on this? He's not a collector, he bought out inventory of a closing comic store. He's never looked through the boxes. He wants $300.00 (firm).

Those of you that are into this kind of collecting, and have a knowledge of this. What would you do? Should I run away? I'm thinking at the very least, I can get my money back by reselling as is, or do a little investigative work and I might make a little profit. What do you think?

I told him to hold the magazines for me.

scorpio · 09-08-2013, 01:33 PM

Buy them if you like comics and want to add to your collection. Don't buy if you're looking to turn a profit. 99% of comics made after 1990 are worthless.

By the time you price them out and sell them, you could have made more money mowing lawns.

Aries Walker · 09-08-2013, 01:43 PM

Scorpio beat me to it - discount everything after 1990.

So comics are generally broken down into a few 'ages'. The 'Golden Age' had its heydey in World War II, and lasted through the 50's, though social pressure really hurt the business then. The 'Silver Age' started in November of 1961 and ran through the early to mid 70's (the exact end is up for debate). Comics from those ages are generally going to (generally speaking) be worth something, more if they are in good or great condition, a lot more if they are the first appearance of a major character. The 'Bronze Age' then runs up to about 1990, and they (with only a few exceptions) are probably worth something as well. After 1990, the industry turned to s*** and only comic shops with a lot more space than inventory will even look at them.

Let us know what you find!

The Iron Chief · 09-08-2013, 02:27 PM

I've got so many comics in my walk up attic I could build a second garage with them.
Due to the mans age due to the fact hes taken care of them and how many you say are there I'm sure you'd at the very least break even.
I'd love to help you further but knowing whats actually in the boxes of course is the important part.

I'm going to go run up to the attic and make sure the wife hasnt gone thru with her threat of tossing them out the window or burning them in a fire when I'm at work....

Aries Walker · 09-08-2013, 02:37 PM

Except that Bogey said the old man bought them from a collapsing comic shop, rather than saved them up himself. That makes me think they're unsold inventory, which (to be honest) does not fill me with a lot of confidence.

**alnorth** · 09-08-2013, 02:38 PM

If you don't like comics and are only interested in the possible financial value, then you are going to need at least a few of them to be worth a lot. If you get 1,000 comic books that are worth $2 each, that might sound like a great deal at $300, but it'll take you FOREVER to sell them all. The time, hassle, shipping, etc may make it not worth it.

If there are 10 of them that are each worth about $40-50 though, then obviously it would be worth it.

**Dave Lane** · 09-08-2013, 03:03 PM

List some titles and issue numbers and we can talk. I have 1,000 of 50s and 60s books.

**alnorth** · 09-08-2013, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aries Walker

Scorpio beat me to it - discount everything after 1990.

So comics are generally broken down into a few 'ages'. The 'Golden Age' had its heydey in World War II, and lasted through the 50's, though social pressure really hurt the business then. The 'Silver Age' started in November of 1961 and ran through the early to mid 70's (the exact end is up for debate). Comics from those ages are generally going to (generally speaking) be worth something, more if they are in good or great condition, a lot more if they are the first appearance of a major character. The 'Bronze Age' then runs up to about 1990, and they (with only a few exceptions) are probably worth something as well. After 1990, the industry turned to s*** and only comic shops with a lot more space than inventory will even look at them.

Let us know what you find!

Yep, fortunately everything I'm interested in is modern, and I have no real interest in anything before the 90's, so collecting back issues is cheap for me.

big nasty kcnut · 09-08-2013, 04:27 PM

buy it

Eleazar · 09-08-2013, 04:30 PM

If they are pre-1980ish, you might have some value. If it's 80s-present they aren't worth much or anything.

God of Thunder · 09-08-2013, 04:34 PM

I sell comics at conventions as a hobby. You need to spend around .10 cents a book to make a profit. Most books from 1990-current aren't worth anything, and they'll be the .25 cent books I sell at conventions. There are notable exceptions such as New Mutants 98 (First Deadpool) and pretty much most of the Walking Dead books. There are some others, but it's most likely crap.

edit: .10 for most books...obviously things like Amazing Fantasy 15, ASM 1, etc you will be spending more than 10 cents on.

Simply Red · 09-08-2013, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theelusiveeightrop

Great thread on a football Sunday.

Dick move bro - dick dick moooooooove. Bogey is a recovering alcoholic - reward his interests.

Eleazar · 09-08-2013, 04:36 PM

Sounds about right, when I sold all of mine (a number of long boxes full of 80s-early 90s) I got about $.30 a book

**bogey** · 09-09-2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

Dick move bro - dick dick moooooooove. Bogey is a recovering alcoholic - reward his interests.

Lol! Thanks for watching my back SR! Too funny.

**bogey** · 09-09-2013, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

Sounds about right, when I sold all of mine (a number of long boxes full of 80s-early 90s) I got about $.30 a book

How did you sell yours? Did you go through individually, or sell them in the boxes?

Beef Supreme · 09-09-2013, 01:44 PM

Don't trust the price tag that is on those books. In the early 90's a ton of people hopped on the comic book train thinking they were a decent investment. Prices were pretty high on stuff at that time because of all the new speculators and Superman died, Batman got his back broken, etc.

So Sword of Azreal Batman might have sold for 22.50 then, but maybe not so much now.

To find out the value, you could buy a pricing guide, go through each of your newly acquired comics and check them, then cut that in half, and you MIGHT get that much for them.

09-08-2013, 10:56 AM
bogey Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Casino cash: $10005290	hey comic book collectors I need your expertise. The guy next door is moving out. He's having an estate sale today. This guy is a very nice guy, keeps to himself but we have occasional conversations. He's eccentric (sp), odd, 60ish years old. Anyway, he has a collection of comic books, 3 boxes, at least 1000 books. At least 50% are still in wrappers. They're clean, dry dust free, blah, blah, blah. Is there any way to put a value on this? He's not a collector, he bought out inventory of a closing comic store. He's never looked through the boxes. He wants $300.00 (firm). Those of you that are into this kind of collecting, and have a knowledge of this. What would you do? Should I run away? I'm thinking at the very least, I can get my money back by reselling as is, or do a little investigative work and I might make a little profit. What do you think? I told him to hold the magazines for me.
Posts: 2,264

09-08-2013, 01:33 PM	#16
scorpio Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $9498509	Buy them if you like comics and want to add to your collection. Don't buy if you're looking to turn a profit. 99% of comics made after 1990 are worthless. By the time you price them out and sell them, you could have made more money mowing lawns.
Posts: 1,109

09-08-2013, 01:43 PM	#17
Aries Walker Back again, again. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: York, PA Casino cash: $9583357	Scorpio beat me to it - discount everything after 1990. So comics are generally broken down into a few 'ages'. The 'Golden Age' had its heydey in World War II, and lasted through the 50's, though social pressure really hurt the business then. The 'Silver Age' started in November of 1961 and ran through the early to mid 70's (the exact end is up for debate). Comics from those ages are generally going to (generally speaking) be worth something, more if they are in good or great condition, a lot more if they are the first appearance of a major character. The 'Bronze Age' then runs up to about 1990, and they (with only a few exceptions) are probably worth something as well. After 1990, the industry turned to s*** and only comic shops with a lot more space than inventory will even look at them. Let us know what you find!
Posts: 8,179

09-08-2013, 02:27 PM	#18
The Iron Chief Veteran Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Binghamton NY Casino cash: $1595669	I've got so many comics in my walk up attic I could build a second garage with them. Due to the mans age due to the fact hes taken care of them and how many you say are there I'm sure you'd at the very least break even. I'd love to help you further but knowing whats actually in the boxes of course is the important part. I'm going to go run up to the attic and make sure the wife hasnt gone thru with her threat of tossing them out the window or burning them in a fire when I'm at work....
Posts: 1,357

09-08-2013, 02:37 PM	#19
Aries Walker Back again, again. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: York, PA Casino cash: $9583357	Except that Bogey said the old man bought them from a collapsing comic shop, rather than saved them up himself. That makes me think they're unsold inventory, which (to be honest) does not fill me with a lot of confidence.
Posts: 8,179

09-08-2013, 02:38 PM	#20
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57166239	If you don't like comics and are only interested in the possible financial value, then you are going to need at least a few of them to be worth a lot. If you get 1,000 comic books that are worth $2 each, that might sound like a great deal at $300, but it'll take you FOREVER to sell them all. The time, hassle, shipping, etc may make it not worth it. If there are 10 of them that are each worth about $40-50 though, then obviously it would be worth it. __________________ how many emo kids does it take to change a lightbulb? HOW MANY?! none they just sit in the dark and cry
Posts: 36,130

09-08-2013, 03:03 PM	#21
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	List some titles and issue numbers and we can talk. I have 1,000 of 50s and 60s books. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584

09-08-2013, 04:27 PM	#23
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $1580900	buy it __________________ When it's grim, be the grim reaper and go get it. Adopt a chiefs Travis Kelce. You woke up the wrong mother****er!
Posts: 18,848

09-08-2013, 04:30 PM	#24
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	If they are pre-1980ish, you might have some value. If it's 80s-present they aren't worth much or anything.
Posts: 80,659

09-08-2013, 04:34 PM	#25
God of Thunder Trained to reign as the one. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Casino cash: $8969344	I sell comics at conventions as a hobby. You need to spend around .10 cents a book to make a profit. Most books from 1990-current aren't worth anything, and they'll be the .25 cent books I sell at conventions. There are notable exceptions such as New Mutants 98 (First Deadpool) and pretty much most of the Walking Dead books. There are some others, but it's most likely crap. edit: .10 for most books...obviously things like Amazing Fantasy 15, ASM 1, etc you will be spending more than 10 cents on.
Posts: 1,476

09-08-2013, 04:36 PM	#27
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Sounds about right, when I sold all of mine (a number of long boxes full of 80s-early 90s) I got about $.30 a book
Posts: 80,659

09-09-2013, 01:44 PM	#30
Beef Supreme MVP Join Date: Oct 2010 Casino cash: $10019560	Don't trust the price tag that is on those books. In the early 90's a ton of people hopped on the comic book train thinking they were a decent investment. Prices were pretty high on stuff at that time because of all the new speculators and Superman died, Batman got his back broken, etc. So Sword of Azreal Batman might have sold for 22.50 then, but maybe not so much now. To find out the value, you could buy a pricing guide, go through each of your newly acquired comics and check them, then cut that in half, and you MIGHT get that much for them.
Posts: 11,000