Don't buy any early 1990's books unless you really like the story line cause those books were so overprinted you could probably build a few rainforests with the paper used.
Brian
_________________________ Looking for TtA 57 in 9.0 or better, ASM 28 9.2, STT 101 8.0, and Cap America 119 9.6
#1606 - 06/27/0206:31 PMRe: advice for new collectors
[Re: murph0]
Hensley300Hensley300
Bid more or post more... tough one...
Registered: 03/30/02
Posts: 988
Loc: Southern US
Yea, since Im not a completist Im not even bothering to collect any X-men comics from issues 100-385 though there are some good storylines that are a good read in some of those. Luckily I was out of comics from 1993-2000 so I missed some real low points in many marvel series. Im not sure of DC during this period though.
_________________________
"Alcohol: The cause of and solution to All of Life's problems"-Homer Simpson
"Don't dwell on reality, it will only keep you from greatness"
"I am getting tired of protecting your kids from adult pleasures"-Bill Maher
On the flip side of that though, you missed out on the weak back issue market in like 94/95/96 where you could buy nice stuff for a fraction of what it's at now
Brian
_________________________ Looking for TtA 57 in 9.0 or better, ASM 28 9.2, STT 101 8.0, and Cap America 119 9.6
#1608 - 06/27/0206:49 PMRe: advice for new collectors
[Re: murph0]
Hensley300Hensley300
Bid more or post more... tough one...
Registered: 03/30/02
Posts: 988
Loc: Southern US
Thats very true but then again Im still in shock from the price difference of issues like FF 1 which back in the mid eighties went for about 1500 in NM condition to what it is today.
_________________________
"Alcohol: The cause of and solution to All of Life's problems"-Homer Simpson
"Don't dwell on reality, it will only keep you from greatness"
"I am getting tired of protecting your kids from adult pleasures"-Bill Maher
#1609 - 06/27/0207:56 PMRe: advice for new collectors
[Re: Hensley300]
BrontyBronty You know that guy that shows up an hour early for parties? Yah. I'm him.
TOTAL NEWBIE
Registered: 03/26/02
Posts: 15228
Loc: Canada
Too true, but that "NM" of 15 years ago is being strictly graded today as a vf-.... Grading standards have really notched up, and I have to say I love it. Much less bitching about grade...
Of course, $1500 for even a vf- FF1 looks pretty dandy now doesn't it!!!???
#1610 - 06/27/0208:16 PMRe: advice for new collectors
[Re: Bronty]
Hensley300Hensley300
Bid more or post more... tough one...
Registered: 03/30/02
Posts: 988
Loc: Southern US
Yes even a VF+ would be very nice for a cool grand
_________________________
"Alcohol: The cause of and solution to All of Life's problems"-Homer Simpson
"Don't dwell on reality, it will only keep you from greatness"
"I am getting tired of protecting your kids from adult pleasures"-Bill Maher
Registered: 07/02/02
Posts: 17306
Loc: Centreville, VA
First off, get yourself the latest Wizard Magazine. Then go to the TOP 10 comics before the price guide - go out and by ten of each of those and get them slabbed immediately.
then comb the price guide page by page and find all the yellow highlighted items. Buy 5 copies each of those. When you sell the prior slabbed Top 10 book copies, then you'll have funds to get this second batch of books graded.
This is the ONLY WAY to collect comics...anyone tells you different is from the Silver Age....If you want to collect comics, this hobby is not for wussy boys...HARDCORE Collecting is the only way to go...prove it by going out on ebay and sniping evry CGC 9.8 or higher book that you find! Then turn around and post it with a crazy high reserve, at least twice what you paid for it...you are guaranteed to sell it because there are those collectors with more money than Bill Gates who will bid on your items because they emit that certain aura, that je-ne-sais-quoi that sets your comics apart form the rest of these other lowly non-graded book sellers....a pox on them all....BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Dan, Back in 1985, u would have had to deliver a heck of a lot of newspapers to come up w/ $1,500 for FF #1 or say $1k for ASM #1 vf-. Else trade in your run of X-men 94 up, Hulk 181, & set of Howard Duck to come up w/ the scratch.
_________________________
WTB: Raw Planet # 15, New Adventure 29, Kewpies 1 vg. "Sin is sweet in the beginning and bitter at the end." Talmud.
#1613 - 07/14/0204:49 PMRe: advice for new collectors
[Re: aardvark88]
BrontyBronty You know that guy that shows up an hour early for parties? Yah. I'm him.
TOTAL NEWBIE
Registered: 03/26/02
Posts: 15228
Loc: Canada
He he!! Too true, I was a little young to afford an FF #1 back then...
No way am I getting rid of my Hulk 181, even though it's only 8.5, but I have been thinking about selling a couple of books to buy an FF 1. We'll see. I hate to ask how many you've owned over the years? Do you have one now?
Registered: 07/02/02
Posts: 17306
Loc: Centreville, VA
Get to know the hobby through this board. Check out boards all over the net. www.marvel.com is really fun. Read: Wizard, Comic Buyers Guide, Toyfare
Start slow and cheap when starting off, even if you have a lot of money to play with. Some things have to be learned the hard way despite tons of advice and better you experinece the bad side of the hobby and eBay with a low dollar purchase. When you have cruised around and bought and transacted enough to develop a trustworthy network and good feel for who provides quality goods, then you may be better off sinking your big bucks then.
Share your comic passion for reading with the younger generation. I love reading Archie and Disney to little kids; for every age and level of maturity, there is an appropriate genre of comic book out there.
Attend conventions, talk to other collectors, dealers, make connections, joke around...socialize. Comic book collectors have developed a stigma in general society due to a biased incorrect attitude of persecution levied on them by social elitists.
eBay is not the only source on the net for comic books - although it is arguably the best and most diversified source for comics. Check into all these internet storefronts...maybe you find a nice subscription discount or deal
& set of Howard Duck to come up w/ the scratch. 
but I have been thinking about selling a couple of books to buy an FF 1. We'll see. I hate to ask how many you've owned over the years? Do you have one now?
