| Slot: |
Amazing Fantasy #15 |
| Item: |
Amazing Fantasy #15 A-5 |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
3741650001
|
Owner Comments
Amazing Fantasy #15 is the Holy Grail for SA comic collectors. For many, this would be the first book they buy. But we have always targeted putting together collections rather than keys, which is why we have settled for many high grade restored keys.
As a collector of antique furniture and rugs, I have always been amazed by how severely the comic book market punishes comic book restorations compared to well-done restorations of other collectibles. Perhaps with the passage of time, well restored examples will rise in value. But for now, at least CGC places a much higher value on these books than the market.
Our book is actually the single highest graded copy ever certified by CGC, but it has been expertly and extensively restored, as it’s A-5 grade confirms. As is, from an appearance standpoint, the book is absolutely perfect. And it costs us a small fraction of what even a 9.0 with a universal label would have set us back. Even then, it was still expensive, at least for what it is. We acquired it in the 12/15/2020 ComicConnect Auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #1 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #1 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
1174950001
|
Owner Comments
Issue #1 features the first appearances of J. Jonah Jameson & Chameleon, along with the first Fantastic Four crossover. The book also retells the Origin of Spider-Man. It is definitely one of the most valuable books we own. No, it is not highest graded, but it is a clean 9.4 copy of the #1 issue in our favorite run of comics ever and features the Fantastic Four, as Spidey applies for membership, but wants the top salary to join the Fan 4. OK, it was not the best plot ever, but still it is one of the most recognized and coveted covers in comics.
Our 9.4 is tied with nine other copies for third highest graded trailing five 9.6s and a single 9.8, making it one of the top 16 copies out of over 4100 ever certified by CGC. I am also proud to say that, unlike many of our acquisitions, we bought this book well. What we have found is that, with respect to books like this that are very valuable, but not extremely rare, sooner or later you will hit the right auction where many bidders wanting the book do not show up. It still was not cheap, but we could make a nice profit on this one.
We acquired the book from the September 2013 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #2 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #2 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
1198624002
|
Owner Comments
Issue #2 features the first appearances of the Vulture, Adrian Toomes, and the Terrible Tinkerer, Phineas Mason. The Vulture was not one of the most original or sexy Spidey villains, although Michael Keaton gave him a neat twist in his cinema appearance. But he is the oldest recurring Spidey Super-villain and a founding member of the Sinester Six, who made their way to Broadway in the ill-fated Spidey musical-not expecting a revival of that one anytime soon LOL.
Our book is a nice 9.4 copy, which is tied with six other books for third highest graded example, trailing four 9.6s and a single 9.8, making it one of the top !2 copies out of almost 1800 in the census. We purchased the book in the June 2014 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #3 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #3 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
2065130013
|
Owner Comments
Issue #3 features the first appearance and origin of Doctor Octopus, alias Otto Octavius, one of Spidey’s most infamous rivals and the cinema star of Spider-Man 2, in which he was played by Alfred Molina. Doc Ock is also Spidey’s nemesis in three of the first dozen Spidey issues, reappearing in issues #11 and #12, along with numerous later appearances. He was also a founding member of the Sinester Six, who debuted in the first Annual.
Our 9.6 comes from the Pacific Coast Collection and is one of the gems in our collection. The book is tied with eight other books for second highest graded, bested only by a pair of 9.8s, one of which recently sold for $130,000. Who knows what Mitchell Pritchett’s prized mint copy might have graded if it had not been dropped in a puddle before he could sell it in Season 5 of Modern Family. Let’s hope they used a fake and not the real deal LOL.
We acquired the book in the 12/10/2015 ComicConnect auction.*
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #4 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #4 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
0013768007
|
Owner Comments
Issue #4 features the Origin and first appearances of the Sandman, William Baker, alias Flint Marko, and Betty Brant. The Sandman has always been one of my favorite Marvel villains. While this issue marks his first appearance, he would reappear in Strange Tales #115, which is itself a great cover, along with ASM #18 and #19. Stan Lee continued to make use of the Sandman in several later Spidey issues, along with major appearances in the Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four. With respect to the FF, the Sandman was a founding member of the Frightful Four, who first appeared in FF #36. He was also a founding member of the Sinester Six and made his cinematic debut in Spider-Man 3, where he was played by Thomas Hayden Church.
I particularly like the four panel cover of ASM #4. Admittedly, the plot itself was a little weak, as Spidey captures the Sandman with a vacuum cleaner, but it nevertheless remains one of our favorite issues.
Our 9.4 is one of just eight copies trailing a trio of 9.6s in the census. We acquired the book from the October 3, 2015 ComicConnect Auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #6 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #6 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1198623003
|
Owner Comments
I can still remember buying this issue in the local drugstore and reading it in the back seat of the car on a family trip to Florida. I guess that memory sticks out because the Lizard was a Florida resident, if memory serves. I still have that copy, but it is unfortunately not the book displayed, as like many of my originals, I proudly stamped it with my name to keep my brother from stealing it.
The Lizard had an interesting origin story, as Dr. Curtis Connors was a gifted surgeon who enlisted in the U.S. Army where he performed emergency battlefield surgery on wounded GIs. However his right arm was terribly injured in a wartime blast, resulting in its amputation
After his return to civilian life as a research technologist, Connors became obsessed with uncovering the secrets
of reptilian limb regeneration and developed an experimental serum taken from a reptilian. The serum successfully regrew the missing limb of a rabbit, so then Connors chose to test the serum on himself. He ingested the formula and he did indeed grow a new arm.
However, the formula had an unfortunate side effect. Connors was subsequently transformed into a reptilian humanoid monster. Spider-Man discovered this situation during a trip to Florida to investigate newspaper reports of the Lizard after his employer the Daily Bugle challenged him. After discovering the Lizard's true identity and origin, Spider-Man used Connors' notes to create an antidote to restore him to his human form and mentality.
Of course, as any Spidey fan knows, the cure proved to be temporary and the Lizard reappears in a number of later ASM issues.
Dr Connors and the Lizard appeared in Spider-Man 2, just as the good doctor, and in Amazing Spider-Man 2, in which the Lizard plays a prominent role. He was portrayed by Dylan Baker (as Curt Connors) in the 2004 film Spider-Man 2 and its 2007 sequel Spider-Man 3, and by Rhys Ifans (as Curt Connors and the Lizard) in the 2012 film The Amazing Spider-Man.
Our 9.6 is tied with nine other copies for second highest graded trailing a trio of 9.8s we acquired the book from the November 19, 2015 Heritage Auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #7 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #7 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
2065130012
|
Owner Comments
The Vulture reappears in issue #7, which features a spectacular mid-air cover. Our 9.8 is one of two highest graded copies out of over 1,600 books certified by CGC. We acquired the book from the November 19, 2015 Heritage Auction.*
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #9 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #9 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
0901176002
|
Owner Comments
Issue #9 features the first appearance and Origin of Electro, Max Dillon. As Electro becomes a major Marvel villain and a member of the Sinister Six, this issue is far more valuable than either #8 or #10. Also, in my opinion, it is one of the most striking covers in this title. Our 9.4 is tied for third highest graded trailing nine 9.6s and a pair of 9.8s. We acquired the book in the 11/21/2011 CL auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #14 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #14 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1218475001
|
Owner Comments
Issue #14 is a mini-key in that it features the first appearance of the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn. It also features an appearance by the Enforcers and the first meeting of the Hulk and Spider-Man. Our 9.6 is tied with 24 other copies for second highest graded trailing a single 9.8. We acquired the book from the 12/9/2010 Pedigree Comics Auction.*
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #15 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #15 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1200756001
|
Owner Comments
Issue #15 features the first appearance of Kraven the Hunter and the second appearance of the Chameleon. It also contains the first mention of Mary Jane Watson. Our 9.6 is tied with six other copies for second highest graded trailing a pair of 9.8s. We acquired the book in the 8/31/2014 ComicConnect auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #20 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #20 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
1197715004
|
Owner Comments
Issue #20 features the Origin and first appearance of the Scorpion, MacDonald "Mac" Gargan. Our 9.6 is tied for second highest graded trailing seven 9.8s. We acquired the books in the 3/1/2022 ComicLink Auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #43 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #43 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
0033376017
|
Owner Comments
ASM #43 makes the list because of the first full appearance of Mary Jane Watson. This issue also tells the origin of the Rhino. Colonel Jameson, Matt Murdock and Dr. Curt Connors also make appearances. Our book is tied for second highest graded and was acquired in the 5/10/2018 Heritage auction.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #46 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #46 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.6 |
| Cert #: |
1102643004
|
Owner Comments
Issue #46 features the origin and first appearance of the Shocker, Henry Schultz. Our second highest graded copy is bested by five 9.8s as of June 2020.
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #50 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #50 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.4 |
| Cert #: |
1041707002
|
Owner Comments
Original Owner Collection
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| Slot: |
Amazing Spider-Man #73 |
| Item: |
Amazing Spider-Man #73 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC 9.8 |
| Cert #: |
1417874020
|
Owner Comments
Issue #73 marks the first appearance of Silvermane (Silvio, Manfredi) and Man-Mountain Marko. High grade copies of this one are abundant and there is even a 9.9 in the census. We acquired our copy from the 8/1/2017 Pedigree Comics auction.
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