gadzukes Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) I bought a small collection of about 30 GA western comics. I would normally run the other way but these are all stunningly high grade for early '50s comics. I'm sure with a press that every single one of these could grade out 9.0 and higher. There's no key-issues (is there such a thing as a western key issue?). I feel like I got a pretty good price (about $20 each), but now I'm pondering if I should do the full press and slab for all of them. That would add at least another $35-$40 for each comic in my cost. Any ideas? Is there still enough of a market to invest more $ into slabbing these? Edited February 26, 2019 by gadzukes ComicConnoisseur 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bird Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 I am not sure you gave enough info on the specific issues, at least not for me to give an opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfcityduck Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 I would sell them raw because generally (with exceptions) Western comics are not collected for their covers. jimjum12 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadzukes Posted February 26, 2019 Author Share Posted February 26, 2019 16 minutes ago, Bird said: I am not sure you gave enough info on the specific issues, at least not for me to give an opinion. Everything 9.0 or higher Dell Lone Ranger 39 40 48 49 52 Red Ryder 92 93 107 109 Durango Kid 2 Black Diamond 11 & 16 Cowboy Western 24 & 25 Western Hero 81 84 85 86 87 88 Western Fighters v2 1 & v2 5 Gene Autry 69 Prize Western 78 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bird Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 maybe send a few in and test the waters. frozentundraguy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBedrock Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 18 minutes ago, gadzukes said: I bought a small collection of about 30 GA western comics. I would normally run the other way but these are all stunningly high grade for early '50s comics. I'm sure with a press that every single one of these could grade out 9.0 and higher. There's no key-issues (is there such a thing as a western key issue?). I feel like I got a pretty good price (about $20 each), but now I'm pondering if I should do the full press and slab for all of them. That would add at least another $35-$40 for each comic in my cost. Any ideas? Is there still enough of a market to invest more $ into slabbing these? If they are photo cover Fawcett, DC or Dell type westerns (Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Hopalong, Jimmy Wakely etc.) I don't think you would gain enough from a press and slab to make it worthwhile. I think it would be worthwhile if they are non-photo cover westerns from publishers like Atlas, DC, ME, Ajax, Hillman etc. (anything other than Black Diamond Western from Lev Gleason - I can't remember the last time I sold one of those) Scrooge, jimjum12 and PopKulture 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBedrock Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 5 minutes ago, gadzukes said: Everything 9.0 or higher Dell Lone Ranger 39 40 48 49 52 Red Ryder 92 93 107 109 Durango Kid 2 Black Diamond 11 & 16 Cowboy Western 24 & 25 Western Hero 81 84 85 86 87 88 Western Fighters v2 1 & v2 5 Gene Autry 69 Prize Western 78 Sell them raw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadzukes Posted February 26, 2019 Author Share Posted February 26, 2019 19 minutes ago, MrBedrock said: Sell them raw They have slight pressable flaws, do you think I should press them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadzukes Posted February 26, 2019 Author Share Posted February 26, 2019 25 minutes ago, Bird said: maybe send a few in and test the waters. I might do this on a couple. I'm in no rush. I'll get the best looking 3, give em a press, and send them in. (of course, even if they get 9.2s or 9.4s I still have to sell them) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBedrock Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Just now, gadzukes said: They have slight pressable flaws, do you think I should press them? I really don't think the increase in grade will cover the price of the press. And besides, most of the folks who would be interested in those books are older, don't like pressing and prefer to buy books raw to read them. You can probably get just as much for them without having to invest any additional money. gadzukes, 1950's war comics, jimjum12 and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrooge Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Richard is on the money as always. I don't buy high grade but I buy westerns and those on your list are simply not westerns that I'd (or anyone) would pay up for. Lower number Red Ryders, yes but not in that number range. Western Hero as a mash up of multiple celebrity cowboys does not work. People prefer them in their own title. Plus Fawcett Western interiors suck. That Prize Western, apart from the Lazo Kid story does not have much going for it. Later issues are of more interest with American Eagle (and then maybe only to few). Durango Kid has the a Dan Brand and Tipi Frazetta story but it's still held back by the photo cover. MrBedrock, 1950's war comics and PopKulture 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pemart1966 Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 "... (is there such a thing as a western key issue?)." You bet there is! Chaz G. and Hutch88 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MrBedrock Posted February 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted February 26, 2019 7 minutes ago, pemart1966 said: "... (is there such a thing as a western key issue?)." You bet there is! Chaz G., 1950's war comics, creaturefan95 and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaz G. Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 26 minutes ago, MrBedrock said: Nice book! Loved that show as a kid. Still do as an adult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadzukes Posted February 26, 2019 Author Share Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Scrooge said: Durango Kid has the a Dan Brand and Tipi Frazetta story..... Ooooohhhh, Frazetta!!!! That perked me right up. I may have to test the waters with that one. Edited February 26, 2019 by gadzukes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB-Gun Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Books with Frazetta covers, even westerns, may be worth slabbing. Early Gene Autry, Lone Ranger and Red Ryder may also be worth the effort. Otherwise, preservation with buffer boards and mylar should be good enough. Dell comics have a slightly better paper quality, I think. But don't forget those Baker covers...fans are just catching on to those wonder western covers he did. PopKulture, BuscemasAvengers and szav 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff R. Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 50 minutes ago, MrBedrock said: I always thought that everyone misinterpreted this cover, but after watching some Rifleman blooper reels on Youtube, I'm not so sure. Chuck Conners had a strange sense of humor off camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tri-Color Brian Posted February 26, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) I like cool or colorful western covers...but I'm not a western collector... Edited February 27, 2019 by Tri-ColorBrian Casablanca, entalmighty1, Turnando and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Man Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 2 hours ago, MrBedrock said: Former Dodger baseball player! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tri-Color Brian Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 5 minutes ago, Robot Man said: Former Dodger baseball player! and former Boston Celtic... Hutch88 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...