Set Description:
As a child and teenager I did not appreciate Steve Ditko's art, especially when drawing the early Spidey books. Thus I really disliked reading these Ditko stories, because - to me - Ditko's art did not look realistic nor appealing. For example persons were drawn looking kind of deformed, devoid of real muscle tone and simply unattractive; I never saw Ditko draw a beautiful girl. So John Romita Senior was my Spidey savior, for the first time Spidey and other persons were drawn with perfect proportions, and Spidey got the look he more or less has retained 50 years later. And I could (nearly) fall in love with Mary Jane Watson, since Peter Parker's girlfriends were now drawn as REALLY hot and sexy babes ;-)
Of course due to my comic addiction the text above does not mean that I may not end up with a few Ditko Spidey books, although to me Spidey #39 was the first real Spidey book after Ditko's lackluster warm-up (ok, I might be too harsh, Ditko and Lee did indeed invent many great villains and characters and deserve full credit for their work).
As an adult, I have learned to better appreciate Ditko's unique style, but Romita Senior is still my main focus when collecting early Spidey books.
In Denmark the first Spidey book was published in 1967 containing ASM #39, you can see it here:
http://www.superhelteserier.dk/edderkoppendk1967-1.jpg
In Denmark these early Spidey books continued for 22 issues, thus lasting until 1969 with the final issue containing ASM #66:
http://www.superhelteserier.dk/ed-67-22.jpg
Therefore the 28 issues from 39 to 66 are the primary focus of my Spidey collection. It is mostly a con amore collection, so I have set up quite strict selection criteria for choosing Spidey books:
Inclusion criteria:
1. Grade should be 9.6 or 9.8.
2. Page quality must be pure white (unless the book has pedigree status or simply is extremely scarce).
3. Cover centering and cover orientation must be near-perfect.
Exclusion criteria:
1. Date stamps.
2. (Angled) miswraps (pedigree status may override this condition).
3. Miscuts.
4. Damaged or distorted staples (off-centered staples are acceptable, if both staples are equally off-centered).
5. "Dog ears". (Fantastic name :-)
6. Handwriting on the book (unobtrusive arrival dates in pencil or ink or date stamps on back cover may be acceptable).
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 19 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 19 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0963146009
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Owner Comments
I may not be the most dedicated of Ditko's fans, but this was a truly great-looking book with perfect cover centering and orientation.
Furthermore I would normally only add books to my collection with true WP page qualities, but pedigree status overrules page quality, especially since page qualities may be a common characteristic or trait of certain pedigree collections - associated with the original owner's preferences when preserving the books.
So this book not only looks great, but also provided an opportunity to represent the Circle 8 pedigree collection in my Spidey collection. The Circle 8 collection was intitally treated as a pedigree and has been described in these words:
"The Circle 8 collection is an extremely large collection that spans the dates of 1950 to 1975. The collection numbers approximately 90,000 books, with multiples of many of them such as four copies of Avengers #1, five copies of Amazing Spider-Man #1 and between five and ten copies of all Amazing Spider-man books from #10-40. This can be seen to a greater extent with the books from the 1950s, as there are sometimes up to 200 copies of certain issues. Due to the extreme size of the collection, it is noted by the collection’s founder that it is likely the collection’s current market value is likely ten million dollars or more.
[...]
The collection’s original owner was a Tucson resident by the name of Edward Kerber. Kerber would acquire such large quantities of books because he would buy newsstand overages and collections. The collection got its name because Kerber wrote a circled “8” with grease pencil on a small amount of the books. The collection surfaced in 1989 (although purchased in 1991), after it was discovered by “Bulldog Collectibles” owner, Gregory Buls."
Source: http://www.comicpressing.com/blog/circle-8-pedigree
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 32 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 32 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3806733002
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 36 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 36 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1203018003
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 39 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 39 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1995606002
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Owner Comments
This books doesn't really belong here - it's my reading copy I've put in a holder - I'll replace it as soon as possible ;-)
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 40 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 40 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0204194002
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Owner Comments
Only 2 of the current 4 9.8 ASM #40 books has pure white pages (it is a beauty, sold for 30k in 2010 at Pedigreecomics), but the book displayed here must be close to the third best option, if you insist on pure white pages ;-) Furthermore the cover centering and orientation are flawless on this book, and its condition looks very 9.8'ish (I have several 9.8 books with damage more easily seen with the naked eye).
This book contains the Green Goblin origin in "Spidey Saves the Day." Script was by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover, reprinted in Marvel Tales # 179, cover price $0.12.
In December 2015 there were 4 ASM #40 books in 9.8 and 19 in 9.6 grades (restored books not included). After a bit of slightly nerdy research I found 18 of these 23 books:
9.8
1292079003, WP
1017444007, WP
1055125006, OW-W, Pacific Coast Pedigree
0915123008, OW-W
9.6
0023786002, WP, Boston Pedigree
0065025002, WP, Curator Pedigree
0914905001, WP, Twin Cities Pedigree
0204194002, WP
0707484019, WP
0032576009, OW-W, Massachusetts Pedigree
0779030001, OW-W, Pacific Coast Pedigree
0097033006, OW-W, Pacific Coast Pedigree
0088162003, OW-W (Slobodian Pedigree?)
0041847002, OW-W
1102643002, OW-W
1097142004, OW-W
0703206007, OW-W
0995498001, O-W (Restored)
O-W = Off-White, OW-W = Off-White to White page quality, WP = pure White Pages.
As can be seen, of the above 18 books 7 had pure WP (=39%) and 11 had OW-W or O-W (= 61%). Of course 3 books are unknown, but the evidence suggests that there is a trend towards WP being less common than more faded page qualities (thus currently less than 10 ASM #40 9.6 or 9.8 books with pure WP have been discovered).
BTW, the 9.8 WP book can be seen here:
http://www.pedigreecomics.com/auction-detail.php?issue_id=32417
It was probably also the most expensive ASM #40 book as it sold for $ 30,000.00 in 2010. Back then it was the only 9.8 book, two other 9.8 books were discovered in 2011 and the fourth in 2015.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 42 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 42 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1094133003
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Owner Comments
Third appearance of Mary Jane Watson (cameo; this is the first time her face is shown on the last page of the issue that touts the second appearance of that ex-Russian mafia thug the Rhino (Aleksei Mikhailovich Sytsevich). Foggy Nelson (from Daredevil) and Dr. Curtis Connors make cameo appearances in "The Birth of a Super-Hero." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 31 and 182. Cover price $0.12.
Purple covers tend to be the toughest to find in the highest grades, so this unblemished copy is really something special. This issue has one of the most memorable panels in the history of comics, when on the last page Mary Jane Watson's face is shown for first time, and no comic fan can forget her famous line: "Face it, Tiger... you just hit the jackpot!".
Furthermore it is very hard to find this book with pure white pages making it truly stand out. And the cover centering and orientation are simply perfect too! Finally note that the green sign at the lower right is uncut, which is not easy to find in high grade.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 43 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 43 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1101078003
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Owner Comments
According to the seller:
"Blistering NM+ copy of Amazing Spider-Man #43! Second on the CGC census with only 6 graded a tad higher, all in 9.8 (out of 575 copies given to the graders at the CGC). Features the second ever appearance of the Rhino (with a fabulous John Romita Rhino cover), the origin of the Rhino plus the first full appearance of Mary Jane. Ridiculously bright with unparalleled ink reflectivity. Fresh SNOW WHITE pages and exact centering too. Is structurally flawless and and looks never opened or read. Rhino on the Rampage!".
In detail, this book contains the 1st full appearance of Mary Jane (cameos in #25,38, & 42). Mary Jane has her first in-depth interaction with Peter Parker, plus cameos by Foggy Nelson and Matt Murdock (Daredevil) in "Rhino on the Rampage." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 32 and 183. Cover price $0.12, published in December 1966.
According to the seller, who in 2009 sold a similar ASM #43 9.6 WP book for nearly $ 7,000,00, he found this book even more beautiful (personal quote: "Enjoy the book. It’s really nice. It’s probably the nicest 9.6 I’ve ever had").
I agree that this book should pass CVA with flying colors if submitted. Furthermore I do own several 9.8 books that look to be in a worse condition than this book, but apparently this book is 9.6 and who can argue with the CGC... :-)
Also I have investigated current ASM #43 9.6 and 9.8 books and found pictures of 12 books (out of 24 unrestored books according to CGC Census), only 3 of these 12 books had pure White Pages (WP), 9 had Off-White-to-White (OWW) pages. According to these tendencies (e.g. only 25% of the books had pure WP), pure WP may be quite rare for ultra-high-grade ASM #43 (9.6 and better). I found pictures of 3 ASM #43 9.8 books, none had pure WP.
In October 1967, Denmark, this book was reprinted (black & white) and published as Edderkoppen #5. About 1984 I bought this Danish book as my first of the classic and old Danish Spider-man books, so this book has special (and sentimental :-) value for me.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 45 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 45 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0990663003
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Owner Comments
Perfectly centered with snow white pages, deep color strike, perfect edges and corners and no visible faults or flaws. Great Spidey vs. Lizard cover by John Romita Sr.
The book contains the third appearance of the Lizard in "Spidey Smashes Out!". Story continued from issue #44. Script by Stan Lee. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 185. Cover price $0.12.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 46 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 46 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
4038379023
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Owner Comments
Took many years to find a copy of ASM #46 in 9.6 with pure white pages and near-perfect cover centering, so I'm very happy to pick up this beauty :-) There have been a few other similar books through the years, but someone always bid higher than me, sigh - so I'm glad that did not happen this time :-)
Currently - June 2022 - there are only 8 books in 9.8 and 28 books in 9.6, so high-grade ASM #46 do not exactly grow on trees.
The cover was drawn by John Romita Sr.. The book contains the first appearance of the Shocker in the story "The Sinister Shocker," based on a script by Stan Lee. Art was done by John Romita Sr.
In the story Peter moves in with Harry and is confronted by the Shocker for the first time. Shocker then brutalizes Spider-Man, but the Webslinger defeats him with his webs. Once at Harry's, Peter doesn't feel happy, although he doesn't know why.
Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 186. ASM #46 is 36 pages in full color. Original cover price $0.12.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 47 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 47 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0169074007
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Owner Comments
Have been looking for ages for a nice 9.8 WP, but never found a 9.8 looking better than this book. So I'm very happy to add this book to my Spidey collection.
Cover by John Romita Sr.
Story: "In the Hands of the Hunter," script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr.
Kraven the Hunter wants cash from Norman Osborn for attacking Spider-Man; since Norman is out of town, Kraven kidnaps Norman's son, Harry, at a party; Spider-Man appears, and he and Kraven fight, but when Norman shows up he can't remember who Kraven is, so doesn't pay him the money; Kraven escapes while Spidey saves Norman.
Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 33 and 187.
36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 48 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 48 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0956685004
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Owner Comments
An amazing book with perfect cover centering and orientation, and with pure white pages. In June 2014 only 6 books were graded 9.8 and none better, so this book is nearly as rare as albino white rhinoceros in African Congo - and probably one of the finest of the 6 books due to it's pedigree status and pure White Pages (and no date stamps).
The book contains the first New Vulture (Blackie Drago) appearance in "The Wings of the Vulture." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 34 and 188. Cover price $0.12.
Furthermore this book is part of the Curator Pedigree Collection:
"The Curator pedigree is arguably the first or second best collections in existence when concerning Silver Age books. The books are among the highest and even some of the absolute highest graded books around. Its breadth includes some pre-hero books from the early 1950’s (the early books are not of top tier quality) to the 1980’s. The books were not exceptionally well preserved by the owner until November of 1962. The collection is well known for its high grade Silver Age runs of Marvel and DC books.
The Curator collection bears the highest known existing copy of X-men #1 (CGC graded at a 9.8) and Tales of Suspense #47 (CGC graded at a 9.9). A great deal of the collection is unaccounted for as it has largely been split up. The current whereabouts of many of the Curators is unknown either for books being unaccounted for, or the current owner not wanting to be revealed to the public.
The collection was owned by a man who was not ignorant to the potential value of comics, and knew that their condition was a great influence to their value. This knowledge of comics led to a very strange method of storage which was unheard of for its time. The books were stored in a walk-in vault of a museum in what is called, “bricks”. A “brick” is a group of five comics packed together as tightly as possible in a bag. This tight packing is what gives the Curators their amazing spine and crispness."
Source: http://www.comicpressing.com/blog/curator-pedigree
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 49 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 49 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0205619025
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Owner Comments
A beautiful book with near-perfect cover centering and pure white pages.
Cover by John Romita Sr.
Main story: Sixth appearance of Kraven the Hunter, and second appearance of the new Vulture (Blackie Drago) in From the Depths of Defeat!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita, inks by Mike Esposito (uncredited); As Peter recovers from the injuries received in his fight with the new Vulture, he sees television coverage of a fight between the Vulture and Kraven and goes out to capture them.
Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 35 and 189.
36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 51 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 51 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1107938003
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Owner Comments
One of my grail books, because this was one of my favorite Spidey books as a child/teenager. I really love this 1st Kingpin cover and consider it to be one of the best ever drawings of Kingpin.
Furthermore this book has perfect white pages, cover centering and cover alignment.
The photo of front cover had some light reflections caused by the CGC holder, but hopefully the great ink still shines through :-)
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 52 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 52 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0007897001
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Owner Comments
A near-perfectly centered book with pure white pages.
Cover by John Romita Sr.
This book contains the first appearance of Joe (Robbie) Robertson in the story To Die A Hero!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita, inks by Mike Esposito (as Mickey Demeo). Briefly, the Kingpin has an unconscious Spidey and J. Jonah Jameson sealed up tight in a watery deathtrap!; If they want to get out while still breathing, Jameson will have to wake Spider-Man up from his afternoon nap.
Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 37.
36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man 53 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man 53 |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1215310001
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Owner Comments
A fantastic book with perfect centering and alignment - and pure white pages.
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