New to OA Collecting, Advice, tips? 9 9

[ebtorres]

Hi all, wondering if someone can suggest where I can buy frames for OA similar to the ones that "Frame It Again Sam" made/sold. I own one of his frames and they are really good, convenient and affordable imo, but it seems he's no longer in business...

Thank you.

[Mr. Machismo]

A lot of people are going to disagree with me on this, likely because they've made the mistake themselves: don't go to chains like Michael's, unless you're dealing with a relatively low-priced piece you don't care too much for. Find a framer who deals in original art, really knows what he/she is doing, and frames archivally and acid-free. And NEVER drymount. You typically want archival hinges like mulberry hinges, and 99%+ UV glass (I always go museum but that's expensive.) If you don't pay mind to how something is framed and just go the cheapest route, the art WILL be damaged. 

[Eltanin]

1 hour ago, Mr. Machismo said:

... And NEVER drymount. ...

I've never done it, but what's wrong with drymount?

[Bird]

you never want any sort of adhesive on the art,ever, It cannot be removed. You want the art placed in small corner holders that are themselves secured to the mounting surface so that the art can be removed without any damage. Would you want to scrape a piece off the mounting surface? I don't.

[Mr. Machismo]

47 minutes ago, Bird said:

you never want any sort of adhesive on the art,ever, It cannot be removed. You want the art placed in small corner holders that are themselves secured to the mounting surface so that the art can be removed without any damage. Would you want to scrape a piece off the mounting surface? I don't.

Corner mounts work for lighter pieces, but mulberry hinges are superior and what museums use. While uncommon, corner mounts can give out over time and the piece can drop/get jacked up. With mulberry hinges, gravity is working with you. They can also be removed without residue when done properly. 

Re: drymounting -- you're glueing the piece down to something. If you ever hear a framer use this term for art, run. 

Edited June 3, 2017 by Mr. Machismo

[Sooners151]

Didn't want to create a new topic for this question so I figured this was the best place to ask.  When you go to a dealer site and they list a piece of art "on hold", does that mean its being negotiated or that there is a payment plan in place?  Or are they waiting to release it to purchase?

[artistlost]

26 minutes ago, Sooners151 said:

Didn't want to create a new topic for this question so I figured this was the best place to ask.  When you go to a dealer site and they list a piece of art "on hold", does that mean its being negotiated or that there is a payment plan in place?  Or are they waiting to release it to purchase?

It usually means that it has been sold and the dealer is just waiting on the payment to arrive or clear.

[alxjhnsn]

Though I had a piece with Mike Burkey that I paid off over time and it showed On Hold, IIRC.

[Mighty Hal]

Like Alex, I've purchased a piece on timed payments and it showed "on hold" until payment was complete. I've also purchased a piece on timed payments that showed as "for sale" the entire time I was making my payments (although the dealer assured me that it was "mine"). I much preferred the "on hold" situation!

[JadeGiant]

Yeah, any art that I was in a time payments situation should not be listed as “for sale” IMO. It makes people think the art is available and you get the feeling that the dealer might be willing to bump you if a better deal came along. As long as the buyer is meeting the terms set forth by the dealer the art should be listed as “on hold” IMHO. I bought a piece this way and the showed as on hold the entire time I was making payments.

[PhilipB2k17]

On 6/26/2017 at 10:05 AM, JadeGiant said:

Yeah, any art that I was in a time payments situation should not be listed as “for sale” IMO. It makes people think the art is available and you get the feeling that the dealer might be willing to bump you if a better deal came along. As long as the buyer is meeting the terms set forth by the dealer the art should be listed as “on hold” IMHO. I bought a piece this way and the showed as on hold the entire time I was making payments.

If you agreed on terms, a final price and installments....and you are adhering to those terms, you have a sales contract. If they break the contract, you can sue them for damages. You may want to put into your agreement to pay for the piece a stipulation that it must be listed as "on Hold" or pulled entirely from their website unless you do not make your payments on time. 

[PhilipB2k17]

One of my pet peeves is a dealer keeping SOLD pieces up on their website. Now, it's one thing to use certain marquee pieces you've sold as advertising. But, run of the mill stuff should be pulled from your web inventory when sold. It's only fair to the person who bought it, and it doesn't mislead people.

[Mighty Hal]

8 hours ago, PhilipB2k17 said:

One of my pet peeves is a dealer keeping SOLD pieces up on their website. Now, it's one thing to use certain marquee pieces you've sold as advertising. But, run of the mill stuff should be pulled from your web inventory when sold. It's only fair to the person who bought it, and it doesn't mislead people.

One of my pet peeves is when the dealer keeps the piece he sold to ME on his website. Regrettably, these are not the high dollar super pages that could count as advertising. 

With a little nudging, they've all come down (in time) but it would be so nice if a nudge wasn't required.

[Sooners151]

I have been collecting OA for about 5/6 months now and this site and the discussions have been invaluable.  So, thank you all very much.  I’ve learned a ton and continue to do so.  Given the high learning curve per dollar spent in the OA market, it’s both exciting and daunting. 

Since I’m a new collector, I wanted to give my tips/experience for others just looking to get into the OA realm from someone who is still in stage 1.  A lot of it is repetition and I don’t take original credit for any of it, but repetition is probably not a bad thing. 

1.        There is a LOT of art out there.  While the hobby is unique in that almost everything you can collect is 1/1, think how many pages are in each book, and how many books get published every week.  In addition, there are sketches, commissions, etc.  With the market growing, most artists realize the revenue potential with releasing their pages for sale.  You can/have to be very picky as a buyer.  When I first started, I got caught up in the uniqueness aspect of OA, and that I may never see a particular page again, so I did a few impulse buys for some work that I liked but didn’t love.  I could have used those funds toward more “love it” pieces.  Now, unless it’s a neat, inexpensive sketch or novelty, I must really love the work before I make a purchase.

2.       I know this is said often, but have a budget.  This hobby will consume any dollar you throw at it and then some.  I hate budgets….but you have to have a budget that covers what you will invest total for a given time frame, and what you might pay for any one piece.  Also, when you start following the boards, Comiclink, HA, etc, and you start seeing 2, 5, 10, 20k prices being thrown around all the time and it can be desensitizing to your original budget.  My first piece was a $600 cover, and I thought that was a ton to spend on a comic book drawing, but I see that it doesn’t register as a blip on what gets bought on a regular basis.  While that made me more comfortable going after higher price pieces, it did have an unexpected ballooning effect on my spend. 

3.       This one I haven’t seen a lot, but it’s the waiting game.  This hobby isn’t designed for instant gratification (unless money is no object).  From finally finding a piece that speaks to you, or waiting for one to be released, or waiting until an artist finishes a commission, waiting for the new auction to start and finish, to shipping, and everything else, the wait times have been maddening for me.  Granted, it makes the final acquisition that much better, but just something to expect going in.  I’m experiencing my first timed payment purchase and still have 30 out of 60 more days to go.  It’s been brutal.  Ha

4.       Ebay.  I’m sure this is where 90% of all new collectors buy their first or second piece.  After being in the hobby for a few months (still total newbie), I didn’t realize how much of a @#$p shoot as far as pricing and quality Ebay is.  I bought my first large purchase (for me) off ebay, and while I LOVE the work, I realized I probably could have gotten it $4-5 hundred cheaper with a little more experience.  I still shop ebay, but with the knowledge that most experience collectors gravitate toward the traditional OA auctions or dealers, it has made me more cautious buying from Ebay. 

5.       Here was a nice bonus that I didn’t expect.  See if you can build a relationship with an artist you like.  I wasn’t planning on specializing in any one person, and still not, but I bought a piece from an artist off their website due to their mastery of a certain character.  I LOVE his work, but expected the transaction to be like any other business deal.  However, after a few email exchanges, we built a report.  I’ve purchased a few more works, we have exchanged pleasant emails, and I’ve followed on Instagram, twitter, etc.  While nothing earth shattering, I got a few unexpected bonuses, or a heads up on upcoming desirable work.  The best part, it has made each piece I’ve purchased from him more personal to me.  So, if there is a particular artist you like, be friendly, try to communicate, and get to know them.  Some are receptive, and it just makes the overall experience something special. 

6.       Don’t know if this qualifies as a commercial, but engage in CAF, particularly with people that share the same tastes as you.  Comment on their work or send them a DM.  Be polite and friendly.  I have yet to have anyone be an A-hole on the site (I’m sure there are some), but have actually made a few facebook friends off CAF, even people on the other side of the world. 

7.       And finally, the most often repeated advice given to newbies and veterans alike, and kind of a repeat of point 1.  Love the work you purchase, and love it for your reasons.  If it’s nostalgia, style, character, artist, whatever, do not buy it because other people say it’s what you should collect.  Do your research of course to make sure you are not overpaying.  But buy it because you want it.  If not, you will always have pieces in your portfolio you barely look at, or flip through quickly to move onto a piece you like better. 

Maybe when I look back on this post in a year, I will laugh at this list, but this is my experience right now.  The one aspect I didn’t touch is investment.  There is no way I can talk to that being in the hobby only 6 months, and to me, not what I’m looking to get out of it.

Thanks again to the community here!

Edited June 29, 2017 by Sooners151
typo

[vodou]

17 minutes ago, Sooners151 said:

I have been collecting OA for about 5/6 months now and...

Maybe when I look back on this post in a year, I will laugh at this list, but this is my experience right now.

Actually very good post and observations. Having been at this for near twenty-five years...I wouldn't disagree with any of your points or add materially to them. The common thread is look twice before you leap. Yes that's the big one right there. Everything else branches off getting that one right (more often than not, anyway!)

[Pete Marino]

30 minutes ago, Sooners151 said:

I have been collecting OA for about 5/6 months now and this site and the discussions have been invaluable.  So, thank you all very much.  I’ve learned a ton and continue to do so.  Given the high learning curve per dollar spent in the OA market, it’s both exciting and daunting. 

Since I’m a new collector, I wanted to give my tips/experience for others just looking to get into the OA realm from someone who is still in stage 1.  A lot of it is repetition and I don’t take original credit for any of it, but repetition is probably not a bad thing. 

1.        There is a LOT of art out there.  While the hobby is unique in that almost everything you can collect is 1/1, think how many pages are in each book, and how many books get published every week.  In addition, there are sketches, commissions, etc.  With the market growing, most artists realize the revenue potential with releasing their pages for sale.  You can/have to be very picky as a buyer.  When I first started, I got caught up in the uniqueness aspect of OA, and that I may never see a particular page again, so I did a few impulse buys for some work that I liked but didn’t love.  I could have used those funds toward more “love it” pieces.  Now, unless it’s a neat, inexpensive sketch or novelty, I must really love the work before I make a purchase.

2.       I know this is said often, but have a budget.  This hobby will consume any dollar you throw at it and then some.  I hate budgets….but you have to have a budget that covers what you will invest total for a given time frame, and what you might pay for any one piece.  Also, when you start following the boards, Comiclink, HA, etc, and you start seeing 2, 5, 10, 20k prices being thrown around all the time and it can be desensitizing to your original budget.  My first piece was a $600 cover, and I thought that was a ton to spend on a comic book drawing, but I see that it doesn’t register as a blip on what gets bought on a regular basis.  While that made me more comfortable going after higher price pieces, it did have an unexpected ballooning effect on my spend. 

3.       This one I haven’t seen a lot, but it’s the waiting game.  This hobby isn’t designed for instant gratification (unless money is no object).  From finally finding a piece that speaks to you, or waiting for one to be released, or waiting until an artist finishes a commission, waiting for the new auction to start and finish, to shipping, and everything else, the wait times have been maddening for me.  Granted, it makes the final acquisition that much better, but just something to expect going in.  I’m experiencing my first timed payment purchase and still have 30 out of 60 more days to go.  It’s been brutal.  Ha

4.       Ebay.  I’m sure this is where 90% of all new collectors buy their first or second piece.  After being in the hobby for a few months (still total newbie), I didn’t realize how much of a shoot as far as pricing and quality Ebay is.  I bought my first large purchase (for me) off ebay, and while I LOVE the work, I realized I probably could have gotten it $4-5 hundred cheaper with a little more experience.  I still shop ebay, but with the knowledge that most experience collectors gravitate toward the traditional OA auctions or dealers, it has made me more cautious buying from Ebay. 

5.       Here was a nice bonus that I didn’t expect.  See if you can build a relationship with an artist you like.  I wasn’t planning on specializing in any one person, and still not, but I bought a piece from an artist off their website due to their mastery of a certain character.  I LOVE his work, but expected the transaction to be like any other business deal.  However, after a few email exchanges, we built a report.  I’ve purchased a few more works, we have exchanged pleasant emails, and I’ve followed on Instagram, twitter, etc.  While nothing earth shattering, I got a few unexpected bonuses, or a heads up on upcoming desirable work.  The best part, it has made each piece I’ve purchased from him more personal to me.  So, if there is a particular artist you like, be friendly, try to communicate, and get to know them.  Some are receptive, and it just makes the overall experience something special. 

6.       Don’t know if this qualifies as a commercial, but engage in CAF, particularly with people that share the same tastes as you.  Comment on their work or send them a DM.  Be polite and friendly.  I have yet to have anyone be an A-hole on the site (I’m sure there are some), but have actually made a few facebook friends off CAF, even people on the other side of the world. 

7.       And finally, the most often repeated advice given to newbies and veterans alike, and kind of a repeat of point 1.  Love the work you purchase, and love it for your reasons.  If it’s nostalgia, style, character, artist, whatever, do not buy it because other people say it’s what you should collect.  Do your research of course to make sure you are not overpaying.  But buy it because you want it.  If not, you will always have pieces in your portfolio you barley look at, or flip through quickly to move onto a piece you like better. 

Maybe when I look back on this post in a year, I will laugh at this list, but this is my experience right now.  The one aspect I didn’t touch is investment.  There is no way I can talk to that being in the hobby only 6 months, and to me, not what I’m looking to get out of it.

Thanks again to the community here!

I would add 1 more.

 

Expect your taste to change as you collect longer.

The stuff I want to buy now is so much different than when I started about 7 years ago.  My eye has changed, the reality of what i'm truly nostalgic about has changed.  and my goals have changed according to both of those things.

 

Also, even though there's a lot of art out there, there as you move up in relative quality the numbers diminish greatly.

 

You want a Wolverine page - easy

Wolverine in costume? 1/2 of above

Wolverine claws out - not hard, but only about 1/10 of above

Wolverine claws out by your favorite artist/run? (choose your flavor) 1/100 of above

Wolverine claws out by your favorite artist without a garbage panel or 2?  there might be only 5 that exist.

 

Edited June 29, 2017 by Pete Marino

[vodou]

4 minutes ago, Pete Marino said:

Expect your taste to change as you collect longer.

Oh yes that's a big one. It helps if what you've been buying up to a major 'change' point is popular, that makes it easier to "sell to buy". Very important if you're finding that your ever-refining tastes are moving you up to ever-higher price brackets

[JadeGiant]

On 6/29/2017 at 11:29 AM, Sooners151 said:

The one aspect I didn’t touch is investment.  There is no way I can talk to that being in the hobby only 6 months, and to me, not what I’m looking to get out of it.

Thanks again to the community here!

You saved the best for last. Well written observations - you are well ahead of the learning curve for many that spend a lot of time in this hobby. Welcome!

[Sooners151]

15 minutes ago, JadeGiant said:

You saved the best for last. Well written observations - you are well ahead of the learning curve for many that spend a lot of time in this hobby. Welcome!

Thanks!!

I've have my run collecting this and that, and while I've made a few bucks at times when I do decide to sell something, for the most part I break even or might lose a little bit.  What really attracted me to the OA hobby was not only could I satiate my collecting needs, but also have appreciable works that I can display nicely around the house.  A lot of people that visit don't even realize (as I didn't) that you can acquire the original work, so always a nice conversation starter.    
 

[Andahaion]

I think it's very interesting that in the six weeks or so that I've been seriously shopping for my first piece of OA (after around a year of slow research) I have basically not even thought about comic books.  I've been binge listening to Felix's podcasts in the car and at my desk and have to say I'm a little freaked out by how invested I've become without even owning a page yet.  I've heard/read about this phenomenon a few times, but didn't think it'd happen to me because I love my books and I love the hunt, but there's some kind of magic elixir that has me under a spell.  I'm still hesitating pulling the trigger mainly because I'm still not sure what the hell I want.  There's a lot of good stuff available, but I don't want to buy to just buy.  I want focus and purpose.  I'm also still fumbling around the context that comes with these pages.  I may see a page that, from an artistic sense, presents very well but I find myself compelled to research the story to find out about the page and greater story arc if I'm not familiar.  This is not an issue I've faced to such a degree with my fine art endeavors.  

Pretty sure this is nothing new to most of you, but I find the need to vent somewhere.  I almost started a journal to document what is looking more and more like a transition from books to art.  What the hell?