File Copies of Comics 0

[Mr.Fantastic]

I think I have a good grasp on what file copies are.  I had a few football cards that are considered "file copies". So, basically this is a comic that the publisher kept on file for whatever purpose.  Are these considered more or less valuable than there non-file copy counterparts is there a considerable market for them, and are they usually at a premium over regular copies?

[bc]

It all depends on the condition of the item.

Some file copies are still in amazing condition and garner a premium. Some file copies are only in average condition and typically align in value to non file copy versions.

I'm sure there are collectors who specialize in file copies that may place a premium on them, but condition/grade seems to be the key to determine market value.

-bc

[KCOComics]

I have never owned one because the few I've seen for sale have been outside my collecting interest

When they have come to market I've been surprised to see the pricing isn't too far out of line with a regular copy. 

I would love to hear from others on this topic. Personally, I would pay a premium if it had proper province and could be proven to be a file copy. 

 

 

[Mr.Fantastic]

 

9 minutes ago, KCOComics said:

I have never owned one because the few I've seen for sale have been outside my collecting interest

When they have come to market I've been surprised to see the pricing isn't too far out of line with a regular copy. 

I would love to hear from others on this topic. Personally, I would pay a premium if it had proper province and could be proven to be a file copy. 

 

 

The few I have seen have been slabbed as such with a notation of a Crowley provenance.

[Mr.Fantastic]

Below is one from an upcoming C-link auction.  To me it's beautiful and has a provenance of one of the writers of the book.

 

[Jeffro.]

24 minutes ago, Mr.Fantastic said:

33 minutes ago, KCOComics said:

I have never owned one because the few I've seen for sale have been outside my collecting interest

When they have come to market I've been surprised to see the pricing isn't too far out of line with a regular copy. 

I would love to hear from others on this topic. Personally, I would pay a premium if it had proper province and could be proven to be a file copy. 

 

 

The few I have seen have been slabbed as such with a notation of a Crowley provenance.

Crowley is a pedigree. Comcis with a pedigree designation and comics that are file copies are two different animals. 

[jimjum12]

Gaines was the publisher... but he was a hands on publisher who released some of the most noteworthy comics in the history of the medium. He saved a dozen copies of almost every issue he published for posterity. You should google the Gaines File Copy topic. I would love to own one someday. Some File copies are confused with warehoused overstock, they are not the same. GOD BLESS...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

[shadroch]

It's a very abused designation, imo.

[bc]

19 minutes ago, Mr.Fantastic said:

Below is one from an upcoming C-link auction.  To me it's beautiful and has a provenance of one of the writers of the book.

 

You have a good eye  

That is a gorgeous example for a 70 year old book. Many of the Gaines File Copies are some of the premiere copies in existence. Gaines wasn't just the writer, he was the Publisher of EC Comics and the story goes that he stashed away about 12 copies of every book during his tenure.

-bc

[bc]

Here's an example of a Pedigree, also from the upcoming Comiclink auction

-bc

[Yorick]

Real Harvey File Copies are beaters.  Harvey Publications essentially had a check-out library of comics that their authors and artists could use for reference.  They stapled a library card to the book for identification.  The copy below is no longer in my collection, but it was very fragile due to all the handling (spine totally split).  You can see the staple hole where the label was attached to the cover.

 

[jimjum12]

Here's another Harvey File.... GOD BLESS...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

Edited February 4, 2021 by jimjum12

[Silver_Couch_Surfer]

[William-James88]

9 hours ago, Mr.Fantastic said:

I think I have a good grasp on what file copies are.  I had a few football cards that are considered "file copies". So, basically this is a comic that the publisher kept on file for whatever purpose.  Are these considered more or less valuable than there non-file copy counterparts is there a considerable market for them, and are they usually at a premium over regular copies?

Them being a file copy does not give them a premium, no. However, because a file copy was not read by a kid back in the 40s, they are usually in better shape than other copies, that's what makes them interesting to collectors. It's all about the condition. 

[theCapraAegagrus]

File Copies are a niche inside a niche, just like signed comics.

As some have already said, it's mostly about condition.

[namisgr]

There are a lot of issues of Four Color comics and the television characters that sprung from them from the Random House archives of Dell and Gold Key.  Some issues have quite a few file copies, others don't.  Generally, my impression is they sell for roughly the same as non-file copies in the same condition.

Edited February 4, 2021 by namisgr

[shadroch]

Tell that to the suckers, I mean collectors who paid stupid money for Stan Lees file copies.

[Math Teacher]

Here's a file copy that I purchased. I just wanted to have a CGC 9.8 book, along with a file copy. I am certainly NOT a Harvey collector.

[Yorick]

On 2/4/2021 at 10:55 AM, shadroch said:

Tell that to the suckers, I mean collectors who paid stupid money for Stan Lees file copies.

What is it I need to know? 

[steveinthecity]

On 2/5/2021 at 3:17 PM, Math Teacher said:

Here's a file copy that I purchased. I just wanted to have a CGC 9.8 book, along with a file copy. I am certainly NOT a Harvey collector.

You say that like it’s a bad thing.