Pristine's Signed by the Man Himself HG Silver Bronze Age Key Marvel Issues

Set Description
2023 Update: We have enhanced the 2020 Award winning set with even more key issues signed by Stan Lee ! Prior to creating a CGC registry set, we sold thousands of books that we obtained through private signings with Stan Lee and in the process helped many others complete or add to collections of their own. Over the past 3 years we reached out to many of these customers and have been fortunate enough to re-purchase copies we deemed worthy of inclusion into this custom set. We also kept a watchful eye on the market and auction houses for select issues once owned to re-surface. We will continue these efforts and invite anyone with key issues that may add to our set to reach out to us with an offer to sell or trade as we carry duplicates for that reason.

About the Set: I always felt Stan Lee and Marvel Comics were one in the same, and in many ways there were. This set in large, is a tribute to Stan "the man" Lee.

Stan Lee Walk of Fame Induction (May 7th, 2010). We were the only ones invited to set up a display of Marvel Comics!

In 1972 I bought my first comic book. It was on a spinner rack at a local grocery-drugstore chain called the "Piggly Wiggly" in Tacoma Washington. I was immediately hooked and lost myself in the world of comics for years to come. A world in which to escape every month as the newest titles hit the stands. Within the pages of every issue there was a section known as "Stan's Soapbox". While the stories and incredible art hooked me, it was Stan's quick wit and sincerity that made a loyal follower out of me. AS the years passed, slowly as they do when one is young, Stan became an idol to me and the slogan Make Mine Marvel rang true. As I traveled over the years and adjusted to new schools, thirteen to be exact, comic book collecting provided a common thread in which to launch new friendships, in some cases, lifelong bonds. As time progressed and the pursuit continued, It had never really dawned on me that all of those garage sales, swap meets, classified ads, smelly basements and various comic book shops would eventually culminate in reaching the peak of Mount Rushmore of comics. Something that never entered in my mind in an era much different than today's and as such was certainly never really a goal nore really on the menu. This Mount Everest moment for me would have really blown my mind during my hey day as a youngster hustling for comics. This moment for me was my first one on one private signing with the very man himself, in his hotel room no less,THE man himself !!! Secluded from the masses late at night or early in the morning there I was sitting right next to Stan talking comics while handing him comics to sign one at a time. Relaxed and away from the crowd he was at ease. With a distinctive voice uniquely his own he quick-witted humor would roll off his tongue at the drop of a hat as he signed the very issues I grew up reading, all be it now in superior condition than mine once were. How times have changed, there I was handing the man himself some of the highest if not the single highest graded copies in existence and while this certainly meant squat to Stan, it meant everything to the kid who once mowed lawns,washed cars, and plucked down every dime he had on comic books back in the day. I cannot begin to think of what my childhood would have been like without this man. To me, those experiences with Stan were an honor and a privilege and as a true bonus, I was able to share this experience first hand with each of my kids as each of them were able to participate at one signing or another.

Stan’s signature, like memories, will stand the test of time. His signature is unique and instantly recognizable and having his signature one of his prized character titles adds so much more than merely an autograph on a comic book. Its knowing that the Man himself, who created many of these very characters actually held this precise book and sincerely placed his own magic signature on its cover while frequently commenting various aspects of the very book he was signing. Stan's signature on a book, along with CGC's encapsulation, 3rd party authentication, and unique label creates if you will, a form of comic memorabilia that simply cannot be replaced nor duplicated. It resonates something extremely special.

Some have commented in the past about allowing Stan to deface a rare high-grade book with his signature. Cough, cough, … uhm, OK. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. There are purists and there are those who for whatever reason, simply flap their gums. While I disagree with both, I can understand and respect the purists’ perspective. Such differences represent the beauty in collecting. We all have individual preferences, and the passion is universally rewarding. While the purist might value the grade or natural state of the copy, monetary values aside, I would MUCH rather prefer a Stan Lee Signed CGC 9.8 over an unsigned CGC 9.9 ANY day of the week. The difference between a solid CGC 9.8 and CGC 9.9 can be minuscule, however in my opinion I would value a CGC 9.8 signed by the man himself, over an unsigned cCGC 9.9 any day of the week. There is no comparison.

This collection began with first Issues, first appearances & origins from the 1968 era, during Marvel’s plethora of character introductions and self-titled spinoffs of the late 1960's. A slight stretch into 1967 and 1969 quickly blossomed, pushing the initial boundaries into the 1961 -64 era at times, but not as an obvious whole, and stretched into the bronze age with very few issues released north of 1974. Transcending the initial boundaries of Marvel’s prime era of 68’ titles, this run also includes a selection of outstanding late Silver and early Bronze Age titles, with a clear emphasis on key issues. Certainly, first issues and appearances of mainstream titles from 1961-64 capture headline, however, this set resides more on a personal level in the form of a heartfelt tribute during an era in which I grew up feeling comforted, un-alone and deeply influenced by this man. A man who I grew to idolize and who made a true believer out of me. A man universally known as Stan “The Man” Lee.

I would like to take this opportunity to express sincere and heartfelt thanks to Joe Pierson for helping attain many of the signatures on these books. Joe was instrumental in not only introducing me to Stan and went out of his way more often than I can count. Your diligence helped in making this set a reality. A smile comes to my face as I reflect to that fateful day in Seattle when we first met. Disguised as a cocktail waitress, you were able to …well, that is a story for another time, but seriously, this industry is filled with very some genuine individuals and Joe, you are one of them. Thanks again. ….Nuff said.

Set Goals
To share heartfelt passion, respect, appreciation, and admiration for Stan “The Man” Lee and display some of the highest graded and now signed treasures from the era in which I grew up in.