n2wdw

I have a lot of CGC books, but I tend not to buy them at cons.  I prefer to buy CGC books on eBay or Clink (as I find them less expensive that way).  The only times I buy at cons are when they are heavily discounted.  So instead I focus on raw books at cons.  I guess I'm saying, it probably makes sense not to make the effort to bring CGC books to cons.

From solely the perspective of a comic buyer (I've never been a seller at a con), I do think it would be useful for you to make better use of the wall behind you.  Getting your $20 and over books on the wall would help your sales, I think.  I always scan a dealer's wall books as I move from booth to booth, and often that's part of my decision as to whether or not to dig into the long boxes.  Sometimes when I do, I'm making an offer in my head for books I'm interested in from the wall. In other words, if I see interesting wall books, I'll try to find a few others from the long boxes to put together a volume offer.

Your set up is impressive, and will definitely attract certain buyers, like those trying to complete runs (that used to be me 15 years ago).  At this stage of my collecting life, though, I'm more interested in keys and covers.  Having a more extensive wall display would help attract buyers like me.

As for the threat of thief, I always try to keep my pile in plain sight so the dealer doesn't think I'm doing anything shady.  I've never really thought about what a dealer has to do to prevent thief, which is one of the reasons I very much enjoy your journal (to see things from a dealer's point of view).  One thing about wall books, you have to be careful with people stealing things from behind the curtain.  I remember at a Chicago con a few years ago, an AF15 was stolen from a dealer's wall that way.  Of course, this is not a concern if you have a wall behind you (instead of a curtain).

On 10/21/2019 at 9:03 PM, Wall-Crawler said:

From this past summer's Sudbury Graphic Con:

Forgot to mention did a bit of buying. Pulled this out of another sellers long box (raw) literally mixed with other raw junk. I looked it up and down. Looked sharp. Negotiated price. Sent to CGC. WIN 

...I still can't believe he had it a box right out front and not in the back or on a wall...Just in plain old bag and backing board too 

 

A few years ago, I pared my collection down from 50,000+ comics to about 25,000.  Most of what I sold was junk, but probably good $1 or $2 convention stock.  I listed the books on craig list and, to my surprise, it sold within a week.  I was selling for cheap, I think something like 10 or 20 cents a comic.

I'm telling you this story, because I almost included this book in the sale.  Before listing the books, I went through the books over and over to pull out anything of value.  During one of my last run-throughs, I found this book still in the long boxes.  I had completely forgotten I owned it.

I sent the book to CGC, and it came back 9.8!  I can't believe it stayed in such good condition having been stored in a long box for years in no bag or board.

This is one of my favorite journals.  I've always thought about selling at cons, so thanks for sharing your experiences.

I hope you keep posting.  Always one of my favorite reads.

Yep, this has happened to me too. 

Looking forward to read about your journey

do you plan to make more custom volumes?

Congrats.  I'm inspired by your collection to start my own bicentennial collection.  I remember that summer well, riding my bike to the drug store and seeing those banners!

I remember before CGC, there was a letter in the old Comic Buyers Guide of someone who kept his collection to a single long box.  Maybe it was more than 1, but the point was, if all the boxes were full, he would have to sell some to buy something else.  I'm fascinated by this collecting approach.  It certainly makes you focus on what you like the most.

No, but I'm about 90 minutes away.  I thought about going.  Actually my kids who are into cosplay probably would have had fun, based on your report

Thanks for your report.  I thought about going but I opted for the beach instead.  Any pictures of walls?

Nice!  I'm still searching for my 26.  I can't decide if I just want a decent copy or better grade, and that indecision has caused a big hole in my collection.  Oh well, someday ....

What a haul!  Those Adventures have some of the best Supergirl covers.

Of the money you've budgeted, have you budgeted how much to pay per book?  How are you doing as to that metric?

8 hours ago, tomo said:

I love that Superman and Lois statue!  I don't see a base, is it hung or mounted?

It's on a base, but elevated on a pole.  Here's the picture on the box (I threw the box away, but this is before I displayed it).

Yes, there is no doubt I would have to sell at a discount without the boxes.  But I made the decision when I started collecting statues that it was unlikely I'd ever sell.  Also, I do not have the room to store boxes -- I'd have to rent one of those storage units.  So weighing the pros (getting a better price if I ever decide to sell, which was unlikely) versus the cons (the hassle and cost of storing the boxes), I decided not to keep the boxes.

18 minutes ago, 1950's war comics said:

Yep carriers are awesome , i think they are the largest man made objects ... 

there were five carrier vs carrier battles against the Japs in WW11 and all were AWESOME reading especially Midway and Coral Sea...

Midway was one of the greatest and most unlikely victories in history and just plain GREAT reading

 

Yeah, back in grade school there was a book on the Battle of Midway.  I think I must have read it a dozen times. 

Your copy is really something.  Earlier this year I bit the bullet and bought a 181, to complete my Incredible Hulk run.  My copy is missing the MVS (apparently a common flaw) but that made it possible for me to get a decent copy.  I tend to be a low to mid grade collector, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the good stuff like your 9.8.

What a great haul!  I also collect these treasuries.  I'm old enough to have bought Supes vs Ali off the shelves (actually my older brother bought it and he gave it to me).  But I'm still working on collecting my run of the DC and Marvel treasuries.  I try not to pay more than $5-10 each so it takes a while to find ones in the right condition.   Anyway, thanks for the story and looking forward to the next chapter.

19 hours ago, 1950's war comics said:

I really like the cover of Pictorial Romance #6 as it is probably the best Carrier cover i have yet seen..... i may someday start a carrier cover sub-set , there are not too many i have seen, 

Todays modern carriers cost about 6 billion and carry around 4,000 men each i believe

I never thought of doing that, what a cool idea.  For some reason I love aircraft carriers. 

9 minutes ago, 1950's war comics said:

You STOLE the Midget comics #1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

On 7/7/2017 at 1:56 PM, STORMSHADOW_80 said:

Sorry to hear about not being able to add a USS Flagg  I look forward to seeing the pics of the room. Perhaps there is space for a Cobra Terrordome

I know someone who has a few Flaggs.  He uses his 2 car garage to store his collection.  It's like a Battle of Midway there with all the aircraft carriers.

On 7/7/2017 at 4:49 PM, Professor Pecora said:

What's up N2wdw!

I LOVE your newly created Comic Book Room!

I have always envisioned creating a similar room when I buy my future home (still renting as of this e-mail :-)

I love the nostalgic carousel comic book rack to greet you as soon as you walk in! It also looks like you have a cool flat screen mounted on the wall. It looks awesome!

I eventually want to invest in a museum style display case to showcase my world class Bronze Age (and future Silver) Keys, then have reader copies (of all the CGC books displayed) spread along a cool table with comfortable leather reclining sectional chairs, so visitors can just kick back and take a trip back in time to enjoy a piece of American History and pop culture! 

Your room is definitely inspiring!

I am only 38, single, no kids...so who knows what the future holds. Although it would be special to one day experience the joys of fatherhood, I am somewhat undecided if I want to have children at this stage in the game. If it happens it happens, but I do have a TON of nieces and nephews and I have been teaching children since the late 1990's as an educator; I have seen a few generations maturate into adulthood! I will most likely buy a beautiful home by the time I am 40.

Anyway, like Lethal_Collector noted, your pic is a good tease! You definitely left us wanting to "see more!" 

-Professor Pecora

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your comic room someday.  More pics of my room will be coming.

This is a great thread and goal, looking forward to reading about your progress.