#5677546 - 05/13/1210:54 AMRe: Heritage May Art Auction Results Thread
[Re: Nexus]
delekkerstedelekkerste James Bond wears a Rolex...the rest is just product placement.
TOTAL NEWBIE
Registered: 08/21/02
Posts: 10271
Loc: New York, NY
Originally Posted By: Nexus
There's plenty of A-quality material that could be bought privately for $150K. It's not like this page was all anyone could spend that kind of money on. (Although the needle has probably moved now after the auction )
I agree with you in principle, but I think you underestimate that the auction format allows such a buyer to (a) remain anonymous and not tip his hand, (b) avoid all the hassle of trying to get a deal done privately as well as avoiding potential rejection and (c) having the confidence of having an underbidder just one increment behind you to validate the price. In other words, it's simply easier to go after something that you know if definitely for sale in a competitive format vs. making a krazy offer privately. It's entirely possible that the winner of the FF #55 page at $155K is the same guy who had his $75K offer rejected prior to the auction, but that it took the auction environment to get to that former price. After all, it's not like anyone would have paid $448K for the DKR #3 splash in a private sale before it showed up on Heritage.
Speaking of which, I hear what you're saying about the DKR #3 splash, but it's clear that you hold that particular piece in an even higher regard than most (heck, you even got Miller to do an improved version for you!) while I think you may not realize that there are others who feel similarly about the FF #55 half-splash. Because of the dynamic pose, I bet a lot of people like it better than even the full Kirby/Sinnott Surfer splash that was posted earlier in this thread (I know I do; but, in any case, it's different enough that I could see someone wanting it regardless of what else they own). Anyway, as you said, it will be interesting to see if we find out who the winner and the underbidder were on this one.
_________________________ "No asset is so good that it can't become a bad investment if bought at too high a price." - Howard Marks
Price is what you pay, value is what you get.
It's better to be thought a fool than to open your wallet and remove all doubt.
We all collect and covet different things. There are plenty of folks on these boards commenting about the bargains to be had on DKR, Watchmen, Killing Joke, etc. While I like Miller and Bolland, I'll take a nice Kirby action page from his prime everytime.
As co-creator of the Marvel Universe and one ofthe most prolific and dynamic artists in the industry, Jack Kirby art will always be the King. For comic book geeks, Fantastic Four # 55 will also be one of the more memorable storylines ever.
I think everyone can agree that when you have great art AND a great story, collectors will pay a premiuim for nostalgia. While I don't play in that sandbox, it should be no surprise that at least 2 collectors bid up the price to $150K.
Congratulations to the bidder and seller.
Cheers! N.
_________________________ WANTED: High quality covers and splashes from any era:
KIRBY * DITKO * ADAMS * MILLER * BOLLAND * BW SMITH * STERANKO * GOLDEN * CHAREST * LEE * HERGE * PEREZ * FRAZETTA * MIGNOLA * BYRNE * WRIGHTSON* J. JEAN * R. CRUMB
I noticed that, too. I'm not going to talk smack about Mr. B, because I know a lot of collectors who have been happily purchasing from him for years. He deserves a lot of credit for building up a good business that offers some great stuff. But I still hate the idea that someone bought all the high end stuff for immediate resale.
) 
