View Full Version : TMNT #1- authentic?
MrPliggins
04-22-2008, 05:09 PM
I just received a TMNT #1 and, having never seen one up close before, I'm trying to make sure it's authentic. It has the Gobbledygook ad and everything, but my only suspicion is that the cover is made with a little bit of a heavier stock than the usual TMNT covers and it's got a slight "texture". However, I know #2 was produced with a different kind of cover paper than the rest too. Does anyone know if this is just how it is? Here are some pics.
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.045e459186.jpg (http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?045e459186.jpg)
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.fbf38ff77d.jpg (http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?fbf38ff77d.jpg)
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.a12efaffde.jpg (http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?a12efaffde.jpg)
Roseangelo
04-22-2008, 05:31 PM
Hmmm. Unfortunately, the Gobbledygook ad does appear to be "off."
Here's mine (click for bigger):
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/243/446784525_c1055620ac.jpg (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/243/446784525_b304faae8e_o.jpg)
Notice that the right edge of yours appears to be trimmed.
The fail safe is actually in checking the inside front cover. Look at the address at the bottom of the page. Third printings were most often used for counterfeiting and the one thing never taken into account by the counterfeiters is that Mirage had changed addresses by the time the 3rd printing came out.
Dan has summed all of this up nicely at ninjaturtles.com here (http://www.ninjaturtles.com/comics/mirage/volume01/01/printing-info.htm).
MrPliggins
04-22-2008, 05:35 PM
Drats..I may have been had...I guess that's what I get for taking chances..
The inside front cover has the correct address though. This is either a first printing or counterfieted from one, since is has the ad, and everything is right. Maybe I should ask Dan about it.
Well, if everything looks about right, you may simply have a "restored" (or as some in the business of selling "restored" books as "unrestored" books may call "enhanced" :evil:) book.
This is actually quite common with key books, and TMNT #1 certainly qualifies as a key from the Copper Age. If it was trimmed, there may also be some color touch to further "enhance" the book. There may be other resto work as well. But while it may be a restored book, it still might be a an original book. As this is a book you are probably looking to keep, you should be ok. (as if you were to resell it, and you disclosed the resto work, you would most likely get LESS than an unrestored book in similiar grade)
Anyways, sorry to hear about this. Hope it works out for you.
Roseangelo
04-22-2008, 05:48 PM
Well, if it's got the right address that's at least a good sign. Wouldn't hurt asking Dan about it, though. *crosses fingers for you*
MrPliggins
04-22-2008, 05:50 PM
Thanks guys, I'm about 50/50 on it, I'll ask Dan to be sure...
Yea shoot him email and then let us know how it goes...good luck!
soccerstud652
04-22-2008, 07:00 PM
Where did you obtain the copy? eBay?
MrPliggins
04-22-2008, 07:16 PM
Yeah, I did. Paid about $270 shipped. If it's real, that's a steal. If it is a counterfeit it's really well done. I've emailed Dan about it.
soccerstud652
04-22-2008, 07:24 PM
Well, that is a really good price. Good luck Mr. P. Honestly, other than the cutting of the back page, I'd say your ok.
MrPliggins
04-23-2008, 04:48 PM
Well, according to Dan's response, this is probably legit.
he says (snips):
"Many of the first and second printings were trimmed poorly, so the covers being slightly trimmed isn't unusual.
a lot of forgers actually bleach out "third" and write in "first".
Without actually holding it in my hands, I cannot guarantee it - but from what I can see in your picture, I'd say it's the real McCoy. "
So I'll take it as that. Perhaps the next time I go to a con I'll bring it to compare to a dealer's copy. Thanks for the responses guys!
soccerstud652
04-23-2008, 04:53 PM
Sounds legit man!
Enjoy your first edition!
MrPliggins
04-23-2008, 04:59 PM
Sounds legit man!
Enjoy your first edition!
Ok I will..except I've already read it about a hundred times! Oh well...
soccerstud652
04-23-2008, 05:24 PM
If you happen to see another good deal like that on ebay, please give me a heads up. I still do not have a first edition #1 and would like to add one to my collection.
Roseangelo
04-23-2008, 05:29 PM
Good news! Congrats on this purchase!!!
Great news man. And looks like you scored a pretty nice deal to boot!
MrPliggins
04-23-2008, 05:49 PM
If you happen to see another good deal like that on ebay, please give me a heads up. I still do not have a first edition #1 and would like to add one to my collection.
ok...I was really surprised to win this one as I had only bid up to 300 on it. Unfortunately, I don't see deals like this very often. The pics and description were not the best on this, which probably deterred bidders. Most of the time it goes for 500+, way out of my range.
soccerstud652
04-23-2008, 05:58 PM
Yeah, i'd like to spend around $300. Maybe I'll get lucky.
MrPliggins
04-23-2008, 06:23 PM
Yeah, I think if you wait long enough you'll find it eventually. You just have to have patience. My next venture is a Hulk #1, which will be no easy task. For $300, I'd probably have to buy a coverless copy.
soccerstud652
04-23-2008, 06:36 PM
Well your timing is bad because the new Hulk movie is coming out in June, so prices are going to be inflated.
MrPliggins
04-23-2008, 08:49 PM
It's ok---by "next", I probably mean "years from now". It's not often I have a large load to spend on comics...
soccerstud652
04-23-2008, 08:57 PM
Tax rebate...CMON!
MrPliggins
04-23-2008, 09:51 PM
true, true...I keep forgetting about that....
turkishproverb
04-23-2008, 10:33 PM
Well, if everything looks about right, you may simply have a "restored" (or as some in the business of selling "restored" books as "unrestored" books may call "enhanced" :evil:) book.
This is actually quite common with key books, and TMNT #1 certainly qualifies as a key from the Copper Age. If it was trimmed, there may also be some color touch to further "enhance" the book. There may be other resto work as well. But while it may be a restored book, it still might be a an original book. As this is a book you are probably looking to keep, you should be ok. (as if you were to resell it, and you disclosed the resto work, you would most likely get LESS than an unrestored book in similiar grade)
Anyways, sorry to hear about this. Hope it works out for you.
Ok, I have to say the first sentence bugs me the same way all comic collectors do.
This is the ONE industry where restored collectibles are considered less worthwhile than the crappy condition they started out in. Its such a short sighted thing it tends to make me sick.
Yes, unrestored should be worth more a the same quality, but restored should not be a "dirty" word in the secondary market.
Ok, I have to say the first sentence bugs me the same way all comic collectors do.
This is the ONE industry where restored collectibles are considered less worthwhile than the crappy condition they started out in. Its such a short sighted thing it tends to make me sick.
Yes, unrestored should be worth more a the same quality, but restored should not be a "dirty" word in the secondary market.
Um, this is not the only industry...
Off the top of my head, if you have a sweet antique table let's say, and you decide to give it a fresh coating of paint, maybe fill in some chips, maybe replace a bolt or 2, you would expect it to have the same (or more) value as a "crappy condition" unrestored piece? I don't think so. Even one of those "enhancements" will bring down value. Restoration is generally more acceptable in antique furniture than in comics, but is still lowers the value. And thats just the antique market. Sportscards and coins are another I can think of.
I'm not saying I agree with it. I'm not even saying I wouldn't purchase a "restored" item. I'm just saying that if I'm buying something that is restored, I want that information DISCLOSED truthfully so then I can make an informed decsion. (and generally, pay a lower price than I would have if it was unrestored)
In Pliggins case, if it was trimmed, I don't think that info was disclosed before hand. Maybe it would have made a difference and maybe it wouldn't have as for some people they could care less, but I think that sort of info should be disclosed.
As far as comic collectors as a whole seeing restoration as a dirty word, you're right, most do. Espescially in regards to old comics from the Gold and Silver age. You can see thousands of dollars less in difference of price on restored items. My feeling is that generally speaking, people want a book that is as close to "off the newstand" as possible. They don't want a book that's been tampered with to any degree to look better, in essense a "frankenbook". Just look a Blue label CGC (unrestored) book versus a Purple label (restored0 book in the same grade and see the vast difference. Again, I'm not saying thats right or wrong. But thats just the nature of the market.
turkishproverb
04-28-2008, 02:45 PM
Um, this is not the only industry...
Off the top of my head, if you have a sweet antique table let's say, and you decide to give it a fresh coating of paint, maybe fill in some chips, maybe replace a bolt or 2, you would expect it to have the same (or more) value as a "crappy condition" unrestored piece? I don't think so. Even one of those "enhancements" will bring down value. Restoration is generally more acceptable in antique furniture than in comics, but is still lowers the value. And thats just the antique market. Sportscards and coins are another I can think of.
I'm not saying I agree with it. I'm not even saying I wouldn't purchase a "restored" item. I'm just saying that if I'm buying something that is restored, I want that information DISCLOSED truthfully so then I can make an informed decsion. (and generally, pay a lower price than I would have if it was unrestored)
In Pliggins case, if it was trimmed, I don't think that info was disclosed before hand. Maybe it would have made a difference and maybe it wouldn't have as for some people they could care less, but I think that sort of info should be disclosed.
As far as comic collectors as a whole seeing restoration as a dirty word, you're right, most do. Espescially in regards to old comics from the Gold and Silver age. You can see thousands of dollars less in difference of price on restored items. My feeling is that generally speaking, people want a book that is as close to "off the newstand" as possible. They don't want a book that's been tampered with to any degree to look better, in essense a "frankenbook". Just look a Blue label CGC (unrestored) book versus a Purple label (restored0 book in the same grade and see the vast difference. Again, I'm not saying thats right or wrong. But thats just the nature of the market.
Erm, while I agree with most of what you said, your generally wrong on restored furniture going for less than it would have while beaten up. It does however, not raise the value much, and has to be true "restoration" (IE: Returning it to as similar to old condition as possible) to qualify, or it WILL drive down the price.
Sports cards you right, i just tend to ignore those so i forgot, and coin restoration is a complicated issue (cleaning a coin is technically restoration, but acceptable. re carving is not)
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