To autograph or not to autograph? [Archive]

MrPliggins

03-19-2008, 09:37 PM

I've recently acquired a second copy of a very rare TMNT comic book. I'm thinking of selling/getting rid of one copy. My original copy is autographed by Eastman and Laird on the inside front cover, while this one is not.

So my question is...when it comes to ultra-rare, expensive comic books, some collectors believe an autograph detracts from the value, while others don't.
Personally, I prefer to not have them on really expensive comics.

I know when I sold my Albedo #2 on ebay, I got alot of messages saying they wish it wasn't signed on the cover.

Any opinions?

Roseangelo

03-19-2008, 09:49 PM

What book?

I'm not an autograph person, personally. Any comic I get autographed is generally a duplicate copy. There are a few exceptions, usually because I acquired the book already signed. My #2, 2nd print I bought signed, but it's on the inside cover and really doesn't bother me.

Mr._Mutant_Man

03-19-2008, 09:54 PM

What issue is it?

Also, just wondering, does anyone still read their comics even if they are signed? Now that I have the issue in a graphic novel I don't, but before I do recall reading it.

MrPliggins

03-19-2008, 10:09 PM

This is the TMNT #3 "laird's photo in white" cover variant.

I used to be big into autographs, and I used to go to cons with tons of comics to get autographed. Now I go and don't even get any, and mainly go for the comics and just meet and talk to creators.
I just passed up a tmnt #1 on ebay because it was autographed on the cover (that and the fact that it was $500).

And Mr. Mutant Man: Yeah, I still read my comics whether they are autographed, or if I paid alot for it or whatever. The exception would be TMNT #1 since I've already read it many times.

Roseangelo

03-19-2008, 10:19 PM

Good score. ^_^

Did you get the one signed in person? If you did, I'd keep that one. With the sigs on the inside front cover, you're going to get a good price with whichever one you decide to sell. Good luck!

I would still read a book if it was autographed, but as I mentioned it really wouldn't apply since I have duplicates of pretty much all of them in some form or another.

MrPliggins

03-19-2008, 10:27 PM

Actually the book was already signed when I got it. I was led to believe that most of these are signed, since they were sold at a con by E&L.

Yeah, I really think cover sigs detract while inside cover sigs don't.

Roseangelo

03-19-2008, 10:31 PM

Actually the book was already signed when I got it. I was led to believe that most of these are signed, since they were sold at a con by E&L.

That would make sense, but mine isn't signed either. Hmmm.

03-21-2008, 07:22 PM

For me, it really doesn't matter either way if its signed. While it's a "cleaner" look if you get it on the inside cover, I still think its kinda neat to see it on the outside cover.

Generally speaking though, as a collector of other comics as well, autos on the outside usually detract some value (unless its one of those CGC books with the Signature Series gold label on it. Then it can actually be worth MORE, as the signature was authenticated), as most comic collectors seem to want their covers unmarred.

Roseangelo

03-21-2008, 07:48 PM

(unless its one of those CGC books with the Signature Series gold label on it. Then it can actually be worth MORE, as the signature was authenticated)

I don't need a seal to tell me if a signature is authentic. :P

MAYBE if it's a dead guy.

Andrew NDB

03-21-2008, 07:56 PM

Roseangelo

03-21-2008, 08:01 PM

The comics are just rolled off a printer and sent to comic shops. Having the creators involved actually taking pen to paper and autographing your comic actually adds a personal/human touch, I think.

IF it's acquired in person, by you.

Anyone can buy an autograph, but it actually means something when you get it yourself. IMO at least.

Andrew NDB

03-21-2008, 08:33 PM

IF it's acquired in person, by you.

Anyone can buy an autograph, but it actually means something when you get it yourself. IMO at least.

It totally means a great deal more if you get it signed yourself, absolutely. But still, the simple fact that a creator(s) brought their hand to it, signed their name or what-have-you still gives X comic a personal/human touch that it wouldn't have had it just rolled off the printer to go to Diamond.

Though would I buy, for example, a comic that says "To James! My best - Kevin Eastman"... no, probably not.

03-21-2008, 08:40 PM

I don't need a seal to tell me if a signature is authentic. :P

MAYBE if it's a dead guy.

Oh I know. Especially if its a signature that you a very familiar with. But if someone else came along who didn't know, and wanted to make SURE that they were getting the real deal, then the Signature Series is actually not a bad idea IMO. I mean, if I wanted a Spidey book with Stan Lee's sig on it, that is not a very hard thing to find, as he signs just about everything (though his Signature Series do command a premium). But someone a bit more obscure, it might be a bit harder to authenticate.

MrPliggins

03-27-2008, 06:50 PM

Ok, I've made the possibly crazy decision to put this comic book (TMNT #3 variant) on Ebay for only 99 cents with no reserve. Someone may be able to get it for dirt cheap. I'm selling the one that's been in my collection for a few years, which is autographed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250230454784&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=015

MrPliggins

04-04-2008, 05:06 PM

Ok...I guess that answers that question. I don't think the autographs had a big impact
on how much this went for...I doubt it would sell for more without them.

Roseangelo

04-04-2008, 05:25 PM

Awesome! Congrats on the sale! I do think think about $500 is average for this book.

Jester

04-04-2008, 05:53 PM

Wow, that's awesome Pliggins. Congrats on a great sell.

(Man, my post almost reads like Rose's...:P)

04-04-2008, 05:54 PM

Awesome! Congrats on the sale! I do think think about $500 is average for this book.

Yep, thats the range I've been seeing them go for. Congrats!

MrPliggins

04-05-2008, 10:39 AM

Thanks guys..I actually was surprised because I've never seen them go this high... I was expecting 300 something.. anyways I see with big sales, ebay and paypal both take pretty big cuts..but oh well...I remember when paypal was free.

Anyway, to stay on topic..did anyone see there are two separate collected book volume 1 softcovers on Ebay now? One is autographed on the cover and the other is not autographed at all. I'm watching them to see what happens.

Roseangelo

06-09-2008, 08:13 PM

Well, now you can feel really good about the book you sold. This graded copy (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320259623620) went for only $280, and it's also signed!

Machias Banshee

06-09-2008, 09:02 PM

I can't believe how much the comics go for these days... Superman, Batman I would have expected, but never the Ninja Turtles. They really are becoming quite the icons..

As for Autographing, I totally agree with everyone about when it comes to getting a comic signed in person by the creators. I have some issues of the Vol.1 #1 Reprint, a few unsigned, some signed and one with a... well, lemme show you (http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d172/Machias_Banshee/DROME2.jpg)

There's nothing better in the world... :D

Splinter's Iroonna

06-09-2008, 10:37 PM

I'm with you, Machi-- in person is better.

I did NOT mind getting a Fugitoid comic from ebay that had been signed by both Eastman and Laird-- for a relatively cheap price considering, and because the autographs were years later and "apart"-- that is my suspicion, anyway-- but the stuff I've had autographed in person I find hard to part with. Still, it is the only "rare" comic I've not shared with my class, and I paid 25 bucks for an issue number three (first printing-- not fancy, but you know...) that I freely let my students read (my one "autisitic" student at that time LOVED that particular issue-- he would spend a lot of time pouring over the details of it. I almost gave it to him, but opted to give him a video game of "Madagascar" instead, which he also was highly interested in).

But I also offer you heartfelt congrats, Mr. P!!!! That is awesome! I'm always glad to hear when someone does well with ebay!

P.S. Years ago, Mark Evanier said that the only issues of "Groo" that really were worth anything were the ones Sergio Aragones had NOT autographed...

:D:D:D:D:D:D

MrPliggins

06-09-2008, 11:08 PM

Hey Rose..somehow I missed that auction, thanks for the link. I haven't been on much because of personal life stuff.. I did get a message from the person who won my auction. He said he sent it to CGC and it came back a 9.2!

I actually met Stan Lee once, and had him sign some silver age Amazing Spider-mans for me on the cover. I don't know if that was a great idea..now I seem to prefer autographs on the inside so as not to obscure the art.

Also Laird autographed my Raphael #1 with a black marker over a black section, so you can barely see it! But to be fair, some covers (like this one) just aren't suited for autographs!

Iroona, the funny thing about Groo is, I recently found his first appearance in Destroyer Duck, plus the first five issues of the original series in a dollar box at a convention. I guess these aren't worth much at all..but I've always enjoyed them.

MrPliggins

10-21-2008, 11:06 PM

sorry to revive a "dead" thread, but I think this is the most I've ever seen this go for....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=310092168149&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=021

CudleyCowlick

10-21-2008, 11:18 PM

sorry to revive a "dead" thread, but I think this is the most I've ever seen this go for....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=310092168149&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=021

And I still wouldn't mind paying that much if I could afford it. Seriously... I browse nearly every TMNT auction on Ebay almost every single day and I ALWAYS check on copies of #3 just crossing my fingers that just MAYBE it's one of these and the seller isn't aware of it.

Cuz that's the only way I'll be able to afford one anytime soon. It's happened to me before with other rare comic and figure variants, so who knows?

Roseangelo

10-22-2008, 12:19 AM

I thought I had found one that wasn't described accurately not too long ago and won it for $12. Turned out that it had just been a poor picture and it was the regular edition. Still, the book was probably in better condition than the #3 I already had, so it wasn't too bad of a deal.

Kendamu

10-22-2008, 02:41 AM

The only autographs I have are on a card that came with a TPB. However, as I never plan on selling my comics, autographing the comic itself is fine most of the time.

MrPliggins

10-22-2008, 05:41 AM

And I still wouldn't mind paying that much if I could afford it. Seriously... I browse nearly every TMNT auction on Ebay almost every single day and I ALWAYS check on copies of #3 just crossing my fingers that just MAYBE it's one of these and the seller isn't aware of it.

Cuz that's the only way I'll be able to afford one anytime soon. It's happened to me before with other rare comic and figure variants, so who knows?

That's actually how I obtained both of the two I've owned. Keep a look out, you'll probably find it eventually. And Rose, sometimes it is hard to tell in the picture..For one, I asked for higher-res scans and found out it was a regular edition.

11-25-2008, 08:23 PM

Had to bring this thread back to share my latest!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230308711849&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=013

Last cheapest sale for an ungraded one, was $260. Most go in the $300-$350s with our very own Mr. Pliggins here selling for alot more than that.

Pretty excited about this...

MrPliggins

11-25-2008, 10:03 PM

I bid a few times on that one up to $29. It's in VG condition, but still a great price! Is this the first time you've obtained this?

11-26-2008, 04:59 AM

Yea, its not mint or anything but in any condition I think its a pretty good deal. And yea, this is the 1st time. Over the years, for some reason I have never picked it up. Lately its been going for so much I've been kicking myslef for not getting it earlier. Finally, I can scratch it off the wantlist. :D

drasgow

11-26-2008, 08:31 AM

i was bidding on this too. sorry i missed it, but at least it went to a good home. if anybody else has one they want to get rid of, feel free to pm me!

Archon_Turtle

11-26-2008, 11:58 AM

So besides the color difference in the cover, what is the difference in this book over the standard #3?

11-26-2008, 02:37 PM

So besides the color difference in the cover, what is the difference in this book over the standard #3?

Thats the only difference; the guts of the book are identical

Spitfire

11-26-2008, 05:47 PM