Comics I was just offered X-Men #1

[mathhater]

So...how should I handle this? I just received a phone call from my cousin. He said a co-worker of his just walked in with a framed comic book, and he thought it would be a good idea to call me to see how much it might be worth.

He said it came out of an old post office, and he described it to me. Basically, (based on the info I got over the phone) it's a 1963 copy of X-Men #1. And they're asking me how much it's worth, and that the guy will sell it for a "big enough" bid.

How should I handle this? I assume it wouldn't take much research online for the guy to realize what he's got...but for now, they're asking me about it...and offering it to me.

What would you do?

 

[Parker]

Tell him it's worth one thou. VERY cost-efficient investment.

 

[mathhater]

That's along the lines with what I was thinking...(but I don't wanna pay that much for it...oh well, we do what we gotta do.)

 

[f4faith]

That's along the lines with what I was thinking...(but I don't wanna pay that much for it...oh well, we do what we gotta do.)

Well first if I was you, I'd definitely want to see it - can't they email you a camera photo and maybe have your cousin check to make sure it's intact. Then you offer what you feel you can pay if it's legit.

 

[mathhater]

Actually, it's here in the same town. So I'm going to go check it out at lunch. And from what I've been told, the guy may be ready to let it go at around $500. So we'll see what happens this afternoon. But it's supposedly in great condition aside from a few tiny tears along the side.

I might actually move on this.

 

[Arach Knight]

I personally would never buy any rare or supposedly valuable number 1/origin book, like Spider-Man, Batman, X-Men or especially, Superman (which I believe has the highest value). I think spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on a book, is just never worth it. You said it yourself, that you don't feel like paying $1,000 for it. Then again, i'm a comic reader, and not as much of a comic collector. I buy more graphics than single issues, and am usually not picky about which books I pick up in which fashion. So to me, the story is more important than over all value or collective worth. I think you should just tell this guy the true value, or tell him to pick up an issue of Wizard. Let him try to sell it on the market. If he can't find a buyer, that is when you swoop in and barter with him. The value that something goes for, is usually only at collectible shows or for retailers. Consumers rarely, if ever, see that kind of money, even when Ebay is involved. Of course the decision is yours. You may try to deceive him and tell him it is worth much less than he thinks. But that could get your trouble more grief at work, than it is worth. It's all up to you, as you are already aware.

 

[mightiest_mortal]

give u a fiver for it

 

[mathhater]

I personally would never buy any rare or supposedly valuable number 1/origin book, like Spider-Man, Batman, X-Men or especially, Superman (which I believe has the highest value). I think spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on a book, is just never worth it. You said it yourself, that you don't feel like paying $1,000 for it. Then again, i'm a comic reader, and not as much of a comic collector. I buy more graphics than single issues, and am usually not picky about which books I pick up in which fashion. So to me, the story is more important than over all value or collective worth. I think you should just tell this guy the true value, or tell him to pick up an issue of Wizard. Let him try to sell it on the market. If he can't find a buyer, that is when you swoop in and barter with him. The value that something goes for, is usually only at collectible shows or for retailers. Consumers rarely, if ever, see that kind of money, even when Ebay is involved. Of course the decision is yours. You may try to deceive him and tell him it is worth much less than he thinks. But that could get your trouble more grief at work, than it is worth. It's all up to you, as you are already aware.

I see what you're saying. The market would be the big question. In theory, this book could get me out of debt. But finding the buyer would probably be the hard part.
Then there's the moral question. Would I feel bad for buying it WAY less than it's worth?? (stupid conscience...)

 

[Morg]

I personally would never buy any rare or supposedly valuable number 1/origin book, like Spider-Man, Batman, X-Men or especially, Superman (which I believe has the highest value). I think spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on a book, is just never worth it. You said it yourself, that you don't feel like paying $1,000 for it. Then again, i'm a comic reader, and not as much of a comic collector. I buy more graphics than single issues, and am usually not picky about which books I pick up in which fashion. So to me, the story is more important than over all value or collective worth. I think you should just tell this guy the true value, or tell him to pick up an issue of Wizard. Let him try to sell it on the market. If he can't find a buyer, that is when you swoop in and barter with him. The value that something goes for, is usually only at collectible shows or for retailers. Consumers rarely, if ever, see that kind of money, even when Ebay is involved. Of course the decision is yours. You may try to deceive him and tell him it is worth much less than he thinks. But that could get your trouble more grief at work, than it is worth. It's all up to you, as you are already aware.

You have no clue how much X-Men No 1 is? In mint it can sell around 10 to 20,000 and yes those first issues are the ones collectors always trying to find and willingly pay alot for it. Especially the old ones like X-Men, FF, Superman and others

 

[mathhater]

So I've seen the book. It's GORGEOUS. It's almost like new. X-Men #1. I actually held it...and made an offer.

And even though the guy knows nothing about comics...or what it is he's got...HE KNOWS ENOUGH TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL COMIC BOOK STORE!!!!!!!!!!!!



So I don't know yet, but I'd say this ship has sailed.

Curse it all....

(but you should have seen it...a thing of beauty.)

 

[mightiest_mortal]

because the local comic shop wont try and shaft him more so? why doesnt he just try and sell it on Ebay like everyone else does?

You have no clue how much X-Men No 1 is? In mint it can sell around 10 to 20,000 and yes those first issues are the ones collectors always trying to find and willingly pay alot for it. Especially the old ones like X-Men, FF, Superman and others

20,000??? You can pick one up for 2-4 Grand off ebay, depending on the quality u want.

 

[mathhater]

He has no idea what he has, that's why. But the store can rip him off way better than I can...

 

[ProfeZZor X]

I actuallly have a special edition copy of X-Men #1 that I bought from the QVC channel 10 years ago. It's 1889/2000 out of 2000, and it's signed by Jack Kirby himself, and Stan Lee. I've read it only three times since I had it, and don't plan on selling it any time soon.

I had it appraised at a comic book shop and the guy tried to offer me only $50 bucks for it... So if I were you, I'd buy it, and hold on dearly to it. Sell it on Ebay in another 40 years, and good luck. Option "B" would be to pass it down to your kid, and pray they don't get suckered into selling it cheap, or have it stolen from underneath them.

 

[mathhater]

So the final offer, for this comic in excellent shape, is one thousand dollars....(the comic shop offered $860...) So now it's soul searching time....

could use some help here...yay or nay...

 

[Arach Knight]

No Morg, I wasn't aware of the actual value of X-Men #1. I tend not to follow book values. I do know that at one point, Action Comics featuring Superman, was worth about $1 million though. The thing is, most folks who come to a place like this, or even go to comic shops, aren't spending that kind of money on those books. Even sellers on ebay (who probably have cgc 8 or below quality books) don't get that kind of money for these things. You need antique shops and collectible shows to get that kind of value. Even mathhater said that the local comic shop was only offering $900, for a book that has the "worth" of maybe $17,000 since it isn't mint, and seeminly only near mint (which is still a hell of an accomplishment). Worth is an entirely relative term.

Even if I had $1 billion you couldn't convince me to hand over $20k for a 20 page magazine made on old print paper. Only hard core collectors go out of their way to attend auctions for things like that. Even an avid collector wouldn't have that kind of cash. They'd like to...but they don't. That's how come you see these books flying on Ebay for substantially less than they are "worth." Supply and Demand apply, as long as the demand can actually afford it. I never recalled that aspect being discussed in my economics classes. Sure there can be a demand for something, but if you can't afford it...what happens? Isn't that what happened with gas? Weren't more people suddenly riding buses and trains? Didn't gas just go down by some 30 cents in a month? Same idea here. Nobody on ebay is going to get twenty-thousand anything (maybe pecos) for a comic book. So they sell for a high price, that's more reasonable.

 

[ProfeZZor X]

Y'know, I say go for it... If you've gone page for page and found little to no flaws, I say buy it. Chances are you won't find another bargain like this in your entire life. Impulse buying can go both ways: You either benefit from it or you realize it was a mistake. In this case, you'll benefit from it.

Why?:

5) It makes for great reading
4) You're buying the first copy of a legendary team
3) You have bragging rights
2) You can pass it along to your children
1) YOU'RE AN X-MEN FAN!!!

I can't make up your mind for you, but if you don't, you'll be asking yourself "What If?" ...No pun intended.

 

[Arkady Rossovich]

Someone should verify if that comic is even real.It could be a copy framed,make some phone calls or see if someone can tell if it really is a X-Men issue 1.Ive seen instances where its over 35,000 dollars if its in good condtion.

 

[mathhater]

I actually got to open the book and check it out. It appears to be the real deal...like I said, the local comic shop actually offered quite a bit for it too. So I have until the end of the night to decide if I want to go into more debt, or purchase something that will help eliminate said debt....
decisions....

 

[Morg]

No Morg, I wasn't aware of the actual value of X-Men #1. I tend not to follow book values. I do know that at one point, Action Comics featuring Superman, was worth about $1 million though. The thing is, most folks who come to a place like this, or even go to comic shops, aren't spending that kind of money on those books. Even sellers on ebay (who probably have cgc 8 or below quality books) don't get that kind of money for these things. You need antique shops and collectible shows to get that kind of value. Even mathhater said that the local comic shop was only offering $900, for a book that has the "worth" of maybe $17,000 since it isn't mint, and seeminly only near mint (which is still a hell of an accomplishment). Worth is an entirely relative term.

Even if I had $1 billion you couldn't convince me to hand over $20k for a 20 page magazine made on old print paper. Only hard core collectors go out of their way to attend auctions for things like that. Even an avid collector wouldn't have that kind of cash. They'd like to...but they don't. That's how come you see these books flying on Ebay for substantially less than they are "worth." Supply and Demand apply, as long as the demand can actually afford it. I never recalled that aspect being discussed in my economics classes. Sure there can be a demand for something, but if you can't afford it...what happens? Isn't that what happened with gas? Weren't more people suddenly riding buses and trains? Didn't gas just go down by some 30 cents in a month? Same idea here. Nobody on ebay is going to get twenty-thousand anything (maybe pecos) for a comic book. So they sell for a high price, that's more reasonable.

Actually it was a company offering 1 million for Superman #1 in mint condition and trying to sell a comic at a comic book store is doom to failure if anyone wants top prices, they only offer a fracture of the % that is it worth. It's better the person sell if themselves and not on ebay, I never buy comics there especially old ones because I need to see the item with my own eyes and alot of those in ebay are graded wrong, seen dummies grade books as mint when the are actually consider poor. Actually some books do sell big on ebay, I seen a few sell for some big bucks but best thing to do is go to a big comic con or auction and sell it yourself.


mightiest_mortal being a dealer I got some connections that lets me sell a book like X-Men #1 for near full price and I wouldn't trust most of those books on ebay, I do know some are fakes or alot worst condition then the owner claims.

 

[Morg]

I actually got to open the book and check it out. It appears to be the real deal...like I said, the local comic shop actually offered quite a bit for it too. So I have until the end of the night to decide if I want to go into more debt, or purchase something that will help eliminate said debt....
decisions....

You do realize there been a few reprints of that book? Seen a few dummies try to pass the reprint as the orginal

 

[mathhater]

The copyright inside was 1963. A reprint would have another, or multiple copyright dates right?

 

[Morg]

The copyright inside was 1963. A reprint would have another, or multiple copyright dates right?

Yes or the person got cute and printed the page himself. Has happen before, making bogus copies of rare books and selling them on ebay or cons, that's why I really look at the book, especially inside. Some dummies forget what type of paper books were printed and try using wrong type. Best thing to do is really know what the book look like, inside and out

 

[mathhater]

Okay...so I decided to pass on the book. It was finally offered to me at $850 bucks, but I let it go.

So now I just want to know how obsessed I should be with this. I've never had a book graded before, so I was wondering how the imperfections with the book might affect it's grade. It was shockingly well preserved, but there was some slight tearing/chipping on one side, and a noticable black marker mark in the lower left corner.

Were those things significant enough to hurt it's value, or should I be torturing myself for not picking it up at $850? (I realize there's nothing I can do about it now...but there's this little voice in my head that won't let sleep....)

 

[ProfeZZor X]

Okay...so I decided to pass on the book. It was finally offered to me at $850 bucks, but I let it go.

So now I just want to know how obsessed I should be with this. I've never had a book graded before, so I was wondering how the imperfections with the book might affect it's grade. It was shockingly well preserved, but there was some slight tearing/chipping on one side, and a noticable black marker mark in the lower left corner.

Were those things significant enough to hurt it's value, or should I be torturing myself for not picking it up at $850? (I realize there's nothing I can do about it now...but there's this little voice in my head that won't let sleep....)

I think I speak for a small group of fans here that would have to agree when I say "I told you so". If you felt in your heart that you deserved this (on so many personal and spiritual levels), you should have jumped on it.

Was it mint condition, no... But you know what, who cares... So long as you're happy with owning that small piece of legendary American literature that has changed your life forever (The X-Men).

...And you can't put a price on that.

 

[mathhater]

I know...but I ain't made of money...and like I said, there were imperfections. So first, that price (even though it's a hell of a bargain) would just add to existing debt, and as I said there were imperfections, and since I've never had a book graded before, I still have no idea how badly those things would hurt it.

Plus if I did end up with it, I'd then have the choice of keeping it (and remain deep in debt) or getting rid of it on resale in attempt to alleviate some of said debt (which would be worse than never owning it at all...)

But anyway, I'm still curious about the grading thing. How badly would a marker mark and slight tearing on the front cover hurt??