Collected volume 1 and CBG 547--need info!

[orod15]

Hi. I'm new to this site and a long time fan of the TMNT world. Since this is the spot to get answers on all things TMNT, I was wondering if someone could give me some info on a couple of things I picked up recently. The first is this book, as shown on the turtles site:
http://www.ninjaturtles.com/comics/books/volone1988.htm
It doesn't have a price or barcode anywhere on it, no cover or spine copy, but it's a first print. The book features an intro by Eastman and Laird and has their bio pages at the back. And although the turtles site credits A.C. Farley as the cover artist, Laird's name is the only one I found on the back (it has a wrap-around cover). Does anyone know the history behind it (promo to retailers, etc)? I've checked around--Amazon, ebay, and Alibris--and no one seems to have it.
Secondly, what would the value be of the Comic Buyers Guide #547 (published the week of May 11, 1984) featuring an early ad of the TMNT? It seems that the CBG ad was what gained them notice to retailers and sparked the huge sales for them. Does this tie Gobbledygook #1 for "1st appearance"? Both ads say "Now on Sale," but I haven't found an exact release date of Gobbledygook. And since CBG was a weekly newspaper, does anyone know how many have survived over the years?

[MrPliggins]

I know there were two versions of the original collected book. This is the softcover version, and there was a hardcover version. There was a limited print run for both books (not sure of the exact numbers) and I don't know if they sold them through retailers or not. They did sell them through mail through the comics though, because I remember seeing ads in the comics. It's a pretty rare book, and the hardcover edition is even harder to get.
I believe the hardcover originally sold for $100, and the softcover was $40. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong?

Also, Laird did this cover and Eastman did the cover to the hardcover. There was a 2nd printing printed later which had and A.C. Farley cover.

Personally, I don't count ads as 1st appearances, so I'd still say TMNT #1 is the first appearance. I don't know anything about this CBG issue though.

[orod15]

Great, thanks for your help on the tpb. That explains the Laird art on the cover. As far as 1st apearances go, I don't believe ads count either and I'm sure this has been discussed a million times over. But when Eastman was selling the original art to number 1 he included a sketch of the ad that ran in that CBG issue. See it here:
http://www.rightangleinc.com/tmnt/
The finished full size ad is a little different from the sketch, but it is beautiful. I know I would've ordered a copy if I had seen this ad back in '84! Once I get a scan of it I'll post it here if anyone's interested.

[orod15]

Ok, finally got a pic of the ad. I brought this with me to NYCC and got a great reaction from both Peter and Kevin when I had it signed and sketched by them. Peter said that this was probably the first one he's seen at a show, which answers the question of its rarity. Kevin was impressed that I managed to dig this up, and gave me a free hardcover copy of his book Artobiography to show his appreciation. I think I'll get it framed up when I get some extra $.

[orod15]

Oops, this should be a little bigger...

[OA]

Oops, this should be a little bigger...

Very cool! And a free Artobiography to boot! :)

[Roseangelo]

Fantastic find, there!

[orod15]

Thanks! This was my first time meeting both guys and I wasn't disappointed. Sometimes I'm a bit weary meeting people I consider my "creative idols" because they can be jerky and it's a huge let down, but they were both pretty cool. Kevin was especially friendly and seemed to be really genuine and humble in his appreciation.