How can I know the worth of my comic book collection?
I have a modest collection of Jungle Action comics, (the first appearance of the Black Panther and other associated characters) and am wondering how I can go about finding their value.
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Answers ( 1 )
Value is a Tricky Thing.
In Capitalism, something is worth whatever people are willing to pay for it. The value of collectibles is always theoretical, a guess based on what someone with expertise believes that the market will bear based on a variety of factors. If interest in something wanes, buyers may not be interested in paying what a seller is asking or what an item “should” be worth.
In auctions, sellers are hoping that two or more people will decide that they want something badly enough that their competitive spirit is activated and that a bidding war ensures, resulting in the winner paying top dollar (arguably too much) for an item. Sometimes demand falls and no one will meet the minimum bid, or an item sits on a store shelf collecting dust for a very long time. The value you are told that a collectible item is worth is usually optimistic, a rosy projection based on what a very motivated buyer might be willing to pay.
Overstreet: the OG of Comics Pricing
The Bible of comic book values for decades has been The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, which is available in bookstores, a copy can usually be had for $17 - $20. It contains a guide to determining the grade of the book, since it's condition has a significant affect on the value.
The Overstreet web site will give you images of comic book covers and various bits of information, but you need to buy the book to get pricing information, they aren’t going to give away the bedrock value of their business.
You might be able to borrow a copy from a library physically or digitally, and your odds increase based on your local library’s interloan associations with other libraries. The most recent edition is needed (50th at the time of this writing), as prices can bounce around due to various events.
The Certified Collectibles Group has a guide to their ten point grading scale for comics and trading cards.
Rolling the Dice With eBay
While you can find eBay listings for comics and other things, these may be significantly overpriced or underpriced, and you are not certain that the grade of the book is accurate.
eBay is best for people hoping that a buyer will overpay for a book or is someone is just throwing something out there hoping that someone else will grab it up on impulse.
One Jungle Action Comics auction
Another Jungle Action Comics auction..
Consignment Sales/Agents/Auction Houses
If you are serious about selling them and want the easiest sale possible, there are various businesses that will provide free appraisals for you and help you locate a buyer.
Quality Comix
Heritage Auctions Comics Section