January, 2005 brought in the new year with an unprecedented level of activity here in South Florida, making it our most productive month so far since we started our internet comic book company last June. Sales were at an all-time high (over $100,000 in gross sales through our website) and the usually slower pre-holiday period of late November through the end of December seemed like a distant memory when the calendar changed into February. Highlights of our sales this past month included record prices for a beautiful Strange Tales 110 in 9.4 ($10,500) and a Strange Tales 114 in 9.6 ($6,500),  very high multiples obtained for an FF 27 in 9.6 ($5,000) and an FF 29 in Near Mint ($2,700), a killer white paged Avengers #12 in 9.6 fetching $2,100, a Tales of Suspense #48 in 9.6 commanding $4,500  and a Marvel Tales #1 from the Curator Collection (a NM+ with white pages) bringing in $5,000. We also sold an incredible group of 13 Bronze Age  Amazing Spidey’s, all in 9.6, to the same high grade collector for record prices and a nice group of 16 Silver and Bronze X-Men across the board  (including a #1 9.0 for $11,750) to one X-Men completist. But perhaps the most amazing part of the month was the listing and immediate sale of the remaining ultra high grade (9.4 and over) copies of Sgt. Furys from the Mass. Collection, the first part of which was reported about in our November market sales and commentary.

 

The remaining 9.4 or better issues (39 of them between issues 63 and 120) were uploaded onto the site on Wednesday, January 12th and within 3 days, every issue save for three had sold!! Was it the pedigree lure that led to these strong sales?, the higher grades?, the phenomenal page quality  (29 out of the 39 comics had white pages, the other 10 all had off-white to white)? A combination of all these qualities? I had always assumed that Sgt. Furys were solid, undervalued books and good investments and after having sold the remaining Mass. Copies within approximately 72 hours I can honestly say that this is among the hottest titles in all of the Marvel back issue markets (Silver and Bronze) right now with no sign of slowing down. As the below sales figures show, very aggressive multiples are continuously being paid for Sgt. Furys in 9.4, 9.6 and 9.8, higher in most case than any of the more “mainstream” titles. I do not expect this trend to change in the near future. High grade Marvel collectors really like what they collect and will be overly aggressive to get those missing issues in their collections or upgrade existing ones. If the book being offered is a pedigree, that aggressiveness is even more prevalent.

 

Silver Age Sales:
Amazing Spider-Man  40  9.4  1,475
Avengers  12  9.6                      2,100
Captain America  110  9.4          275
Captain America  111  9.4          260 
Captain America  115  9.6          240
Captain Marvel  3  9.4                115  (Western Penn)
Captain Marvel  5  9.8                400  (Boston)
Captain Marvel 30 9.8                300
Captain Marvel 34 9.8                300
Fantastic Four  27  9.6             5,000
Fantastic Four  28  9.2             1,100
Fantastic Four  29  9.4             2,700
Fantastic Four  46  9.4                625       
Fantastic Four  53  9.4                550
Fantastic Four  60  9.6                700  (Boston)
Fantastic Four  61  9.6                575
Fantastic Four  69  9.4                238
Fantastic Four  88  9.6                450  (Pacific Coast)
Fantastic Four Annual  3  9.0     160
Fantastic Four Annual  6  9.6     630
Green Lantern  59  9.4                550
Incredible Hulk  104  9.4            280      
Incredible Hulk  105  9.6            475
Incredible Hulk  115  9.4            180
Iron Man  7  9.2                          185  (Oakland)
Iron Man  8  9.4                          350  (Winnipeg)
Journey Into Mystery  85  9.4   9,500
Journey Into Mystery   88   8.0   875
Journey Into Mystery  115  9.0   180
Marvel Super-Heroes  1  9.6       675  (Boston)
Marvel Tales  1  9.6                 5,000  (Curator)
Marvel Tales  4  9.6                    315  (Pacific coast)
Marvel Tales  6  9.6                    200  (Pacific Coast)
Marvel Tales  7  9.4                    140  (Pacific Coast)
Marvel Tales  9  9.4                    160  (Oakland)
Marvel Tales 10 9.4                    140  (Oakland)
Marvel Tales 12 9.4                    100  (Oakland0
Marvel Tales 13 9.8                    250  (Pacific Coast)
Nick Fury  1  9.2                         145
Nick Fury  2  9.8                         850
Nick Fury  2  9.4                         140
Nick Fury  8  9.4                         150   
Not Brand Echh  4  9.6               275  (Pacific Coast)
Not Brand Echh  5  9.6               275  (Pacific Coast)
Sgt. Fury  37  9.2                         75  (Winnipeg)
Sgt. Fury  51  9.6                        125
Sgt. Fury  63  9.6                        200  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  65  9.6                        200  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  67  9.4                        125  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  68  9.6                        175  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  70  9.4                        100  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  71  9.4                        100  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  72  9.4                        100  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  73  9.6                        175  (Mass. Copy)       
Silver Surfer  5  9.4                     420
Silver Surfer  6  9.4                     400
Strange Tales  104  9.2             1,300  (Pacific Coast)
Strange Tales  114  9.6             6,500
Strange Tales  126  9.2               325
Strange Tales  137  9.6               375  (Boston) 
Strange Tales  140  9.0                75   (Mass. Copy)
Strange Tales  144  9.0                75   (Mass. Copy)
Strange Tales  147  9.2                75   (Mass. Copy)
Strange Tales  155  9.0               100  (Pacific Coast)
Strange Tales  163  9.4               300  (Pacific Coast)
Strange Tales  165  9.4               300  (Pacific Coast)  
Strange Tales  165  9.4               275  (Mass. Copy)
Sub-Mariner  3  9.6                    460  (White Mountain)
Tales of Suspense  48  9.6       4,500 
Tales of Suspense  74  9.6          350
Tales of suspense  80  9.6           360
Tales of Suspense  89  9.6          350
Tales To Astonish  35  8.5       1,750
Tales To Astonish  40  9.2          950
Tales To Astonish  42  9.4       1,825  (Northland)
Tales To Astonish  47  9.4          915 
Tales To Astonish  51  9.6       1,125  (Northland)
Tales To Astonish  57  9.4       1,575  (Pacific Coast)
Tales To Astonish  62  9.4          490  (Northland)
Tales To Astonish  79  9.6          400  (Western Penn)
Tales To Astonish  82  9.6          500  (Boston)
Tales To Astonish  90  9.4          225
Tales To Astonish  96  9.6          370
X-Men   1   9.0                       11,750
X-Men  14  9.2                            600
X-Men  19  9.4                            850
X-Men  20  9.4                            675  (Pacific Coast)
X-Men  37  9.6                            750
X-Men  39  9.4                            450
X-Men  45  9.4                            225
X-Men  49  9.4                            340
X-Men  50  9.2                            150

 

Bronze Age Sales:
Amazing Adventures  28  9.4      40
Amazing Adventures  29  9.4      40
Amazing Adventures  32  9.4      40
Amazing Spider-Man 86  9.6   1,500
Amazing Spider-Man 87  9.6   1,500  (Mass. Copy)
Amazing Spider-Man 93  9.6   1,500  (Western Penn)
Amazing Spider-Man 103 9.6     750
Amazing Spider-Man 104 9.6  2,000
Amazing Spider-Man 114 9.6     750
Amazing Spider-Man  137  9.4   170
Amazing Spider-Man 140 9.6     750  (Pacific Coast)
Amazing Spider-Man 142 9.6     500  (Pacific Coast)
Amazing Spider-Man 144 9.6     500  (Winnipeg)
Amazing Spider-Man 145 9.6     500  (Winnipeg)
Amazing Spider-Man 146 9.6     500  (Pacific Coast)
Amazing Spider-Man 148 9.6      750 (Pacific Coast)
Amazing Spider-Man 149 9.6      750 (Pacific Coast)
Amazing Spider-Man  201  9.6      65
Amazing Spider-Man  210  9.4      45  
Amazing Spider-Man  230  9.6      75
Amazing Spider-Man  240  9.8   110  (Winnipeg)
Amazing Spider-Man  244  9.6     33  (Winnipeg)
Amazing Spider-Man  245  9.8   110  (Winnipeg)
Amazing Spider-Man  250  9.4     25
Amazing Spider-Man  251  9.6     40
Amazing spider-Man  254   9.4     20
Amazing spider-Man  263  9.6      25
Avengers  97  9.4                         110      
Avengers  141  9.6                         75     
Captain America Annual  1  9.4  200
Chili  3  9.4                                 200  (Oakland)
Chili Annual  1  9.2                     150 (Oakland)
Daredevil  73  9.6                        165
Daredevil  160  9.4                        40    
Daredevil  181  9.8                     160
Fantastic Four  100  9.6             650 
Fantastic Four  116  9.0               60  (Northland)
Fantastic Four  124  9.2               50  (Northland)
Fantastic Four  170  9.6               65
Ghost Rider  2  9.6                     250
Giant-Size Avengers  3  9.6       225  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Avengers  4  9.6       200
Giant-Size Avengers  4  9.4       125  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Captain America 1 9.6 200  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Captain Marvel  1  9.4  85   (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Chillers  2  9.4          100  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Chillers  3  9.4            65  (Winnipeg
Giant-Size Conan  2  9.4              75  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Conan  3  9.4              65  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Conan  4  9.6            100  (Winnipeg)             
Giant-Size Daredevil  1  9.4       145  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Defenders  2  9.6      150  (Winnipeg)     
Giant-Size Defenders  5  9.4        80
Giant-Size Doc Savage  1  9.4     75  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Dracula  2  9.4            90  (Winnipeg)    
Giant-Size Dracula  4  9.4           100 (Winnipeg)      
Giant-Size Dracula  5  9.6          250  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Fantastic Four  3  9.4  75  (Northland)
Giant-Size Fantastic Four  4  9.4  75  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Fantastic Four  5  9.6  100  (Winnipeg0
Giant-Size Fantastic Four  6  9.4   85   
Giant-Size Invaders  1  9.6        185  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Man-Thing  2  9.4           65  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Man-Thing  3  9.4           75  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Man-Thing  4  9.4         100  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Man-Thing  5  9.4         100  (Winnipeg)  
Giant-Size Marvel Triple Action  2  9.6  75  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu  1  9.4     185 (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu  3  9.6     150 (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu  4  9.4       75 (Winnipeg)  
Giant-Size Power Man  1  9.4     90  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Super-Villain Team-Up  1  9.8  300.00  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Thor  1  9.6              185  (Winnipeg) 
Giant-Size Werewolf By Night  4  9.4 130  (Winnipeg)
Giant-Size Werewolf By Night  5  9.4  70
House of Secrets  92  9.2           950
Incredible Hulk  184  9.8           225
Incredible Hulk  185  9.6            75
Incredible Hulk  186  9.8           225
Incredible Hulk  189  9.8           225
Incredible Hulk  190  9.8           225
Incredible Hulk  191  9.6             75
Incredible Hulk  192  9.8           225
Incredible Hulk  194  9.8           225
Incredible Hulk  198  9.8           225
Incredible Hulk  199  9.8           225
Incredible Hulk  204  9.8           125
Incredible Hulk  209  9.6             50 
Iron Fist  14  9.8                     2,500  (Winnipeg)    
Iron Man  30  9.6                       185  (Oakland)
Iron Man  42  9.6                       185  (Oakland)
Iron Man  45  9.4                       125  (Western Penn)
Iron Man  82  9.4                         50
Iron Man  100  9.4                       85
Man-Thing  1  9.6                       240 
Marvel Feature  1  9.4                375
Marvel Feature Vol. 2   1  9.6      75  (Winnipeg)
Marvel Feature Vol. 2   1  9.6      60
Marvel Premiere  44  9.6             25
Marvel Spotlight  5  9.4          1,250              
Marvel Two-In-One  1  9.4        140
Master of Kung Fu  25  9.6          75
Master of Kung Fu  30  9.6          75
Master of Kung Fu  32  9.6          50
Master of Kung Fu  33  9.6          50
Master of Kung Fu  35  9.6          50
Master of Kung Fu  40  9.6          50
Master of Kung Fu  41  9.6          50     
Sgt. Fury  75  9.4                       100  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  76  9.6                       175  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  77  9.4                       100  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  79  9.6                       160  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  82  9.6                       160  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  85  9.6                       160  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  86  9.6                       160  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  87  9.6                       160  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  88  9.6                       160  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  90  9.8                       300  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  92  9.4                       140  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  96  9.6                       160  (Mass. Copy)              
Sgt. Fury  97  9.4                       100  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  98  9.6                       160  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  101  9.4                      75   (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  102  9.6                     125  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  104  9.8                     250  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  106  9.4                       75  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  108  9.8                     250  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  109  9.6                     125  (Mass.Copy)
Sgt. Fury  110  9.4                       75  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  111  9.8                     250  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  112  9.6                     100  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  113  9.4                       75  (Mass. Copy)        
Sgt. Fury  116 9.4                         75  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  117  9.6                      100  (Mass. Copy)            
Sgt. Fury  118 9.4                         75  (Mass. Copy)
Sgt. Fury  120 9.4                         75  (Mass. Copy)
Son of Satan  1  9.4                     100 
Special Marvel Edition  1  9.4       120  (Oakland)
Spectacular Spider-Man  64  9.6    75
Star Wars  1  9.8                        425
Sub-Mariner  38  9.8                   350
Tomb of Dracula  25  9.6             200  (Mass. Copy)
Tower of Shadows Annual  1  9.4  100
X-Men  86    9.6                        275
X-Men  87    9.6                        275
X-Men  89    9.6                        275
X-Men  104  9.4                        125
X-Men  112  9.4                          85
X-Men  113  9.6                        200
X-Men  114  9.4                        130                        
X-Men  115  9.6                        175
X-Men  116  9.4                          75
X-Men  118  9.8                        400
X-Men  118  9.6                        110
X-Men  124  9.4                          65
X-Men  127  9.8                        375
X-Men  128  9.6                        170
X-Men  128  9.4                          75
X-Men  129  9.6                        250
X-Men  135  9.8                        335
X-Men  144  9.6                          50
X-Men  148  9.6                          40
X-Men  149  9.6                          40
X-Men  266  9.6                        125