GPA Price Variant Report for May 2015 shows Record sale of a Thor Price Variant $3000

Many of you know that I highly recommend GPAnalysis (GPA) to serious variant collectors.  GPA keeps track of almost all publicly traded sales of certified comic books.  If you buy or sell certified comic books you owe it to yourself to get a subscription.  The subscription is reasonably priced.

One of the things I like best about GPA is that it has several Market Reports.  The GPA-Price Variant Report is one of these reports.  Below is a copy of the May edition.  GPA is reporting that a 9.8 copy of a Thor 260 35 cent price variant sold for $3000.  This is a new record for Thor Price variant and is also indicative of the current market for single-highest graded 35 cent price variants.  There are only 13 certified copies of this issue in any grade.  The condition census is one 9.8, one 9.4 and three 9.2s.

Important variant sales last month also include near record sales of Star Wars 1, X-Men 99, and a $250 sales of a mid-grade Logan's Run 6 (a very cool book).

ComicLink sale of Star Wars 1 35 cent Price Variant Crushes Previous Price Record

One of the two highest graded copies of the 35 cent price variant issue of Star Wars 1 shattered the previous record sale of a price variant by more than $10,000.  The June ComicLink auction of the CGC 9.6 Star Wars 1 price variant closed at $36,500.  This sale is over 60 times higher than the current price of a regular issue certified 9.6.  Interest in the classic bronze age Star Wars books has been stoked because of the upcoming launch of new Star Wars films starting in December 2015.   You can search this blog for the previous two record sales of 9.6 Star Wars 1 price variants back in 2010 and 2011.  

The regular edition Star Wars 1 has risen in price in the last year from the $600 dollar level to around $2500.  It is not surprising that interest in the much, much, much rarer Star Wars 1 price variant is at an all-time high.  This is the only mainstream Star Wars collectible to be released before the release of the first Star Wars movie.  The CGC census of Star Wars 1 price variants currently has two 9.6 copies certified and lists eleven 9.4 copies.  The number of 9.4s is probably inflated a bit because both 9.6 copies were a result of resubmits to CGC.


These numbers will give you an idea of the rarity (and the justification for the high prices) of Near Mint or higher price variant issues versus the regular issues of Star Wars 1.

There are 339 copies of Star Wars 1 that have been graded 9.8, 921 copies that have graded 9.6, and 861 that have graded 9.4.  This is a total of 2121 books graded 9.4 or higher.

There are two copies of the 35 price variant in 9.6 and somewhere between seven to eleven copies in 9.4.  In other words, there is about one NM or better 35 cent price variant of Star Wars 1 for every 200 NM or better regular editions.

Here is the information on the ComicLink auction.  ComicLink does not report sales to GPA, but this blog keeps track of the important ComicLink variant sales.

Also featured in the ComicLink auction was a very nice CGC 9.0 Star Wars 1 price variant with Off-White to White pages.  I think that this is the first time that two high grade copies of this book have been auctioned in the same event.  This auction closed at $5764. 

These two sales imply current prices of $18,000 to $20,000 for 9.4 certified Star Wars 1 price variants and $9000 to $11,000 for 9.2 copies.

 

Star Wars 1 CGC 9.0 White Pages brings $6250 on ebay.

Star Wars 35 cent price variants are quickly rising to new price levels along with the rest of the original series as interest in the books has intensified with the announcement of the new movies that will extend the ever-popular franchise. Copies of the first issue, both regular and price variant, are leading the charge.

Two 9.4 copies have sold recently, both topping $13,000 (more information coming on those two sales). One sold in December of 2014 and one in February of this year. 

A buyer just paid $6250 for this very sharp copy of the first issue 35 cent price variant. The CGC census now has 148 certified copies of the price variant first issue in all grades versus 3439 of the regular edition first issue or about 4%. The CGC census currently reports that there are two 9.6s, eleven 9.4s, seven 9.2s, and eleven 9.0s. It should be recognized that the census is overstated by several books in the 9.0 to 9.4 level because they have been cracked out of the original case and resubmitted to try and achieve a higher grade. Competitive grade sets and several thousand dollars difference between each grade point will continue to drive this activity.

 

By the way, readers have asked me how I know that this book sold for $6250, when all you can find from the ebay search is that the seller listed the book for $8000 (which is scratched through) and then accepted a best offer. Why ebay is making this information difficult to find is puzzling to me, but I know of two ways to find this important information.

The first way is the easiest and simply requires a subscription to gpanalysis.com. You simply look up the book in their database and voila you have it.

The second way is more complicated but free so I will walk you through it. Once you look up the listing on ebay, copy the address of the book. Then you go to http://www.watchcount.com/ and paste the address that you copied.

Hit the "Show Me What's Most Popular" button and you get the information that you are looking for.  Pretty spiffy tool, actually.

GPA doesn't list it because ComicLink is one of the few sites that does not report sales to GPA, but the only 9.2 to sell in the last couple of years is this book, which sold in mid 2014. The seller probably sold a few months to soon as the price would be a few thousand higher today.

Simply incredible Filter81 30 cent Price Variant sale.

Every once in a while a truly incredible run of books comes up for sales.  In the next few posts I will highlight some of the individual gems, but this past summer ebay seller Filter 81 put up a truly remarkable run of price variants on ebay.  The interest in Filter81s books became infectious and chased out some other high grade books from other sellers.  Here is the GPA price variant report for the time period that covered those sales, you will probably never see another with the sheer number and quality of these Marvel price variants.

For perspective, I can usually easily capture the GPA Price-Variant report in one screenshot.  This month, it took three.  Eleven different 30 cent price variants joined the four figure club (over $1000 selling price, for those new to the blog).

  

As I have written before, I highly recommend Gpanalysis.com to any serious certified comic collectors.  I find it indispensable.

GPA variant report for May 2014. Fantastic Four 184 and Iron Man 100 join Four-Figure Club

The May 2014 features some strong variant sales.  There were three solid sales of Star Wars 1 books.  An 8.5 sold for $3100.  A 8.0 sold for $2500.  A 6.5 sold for $1850.  The 6.5 sale was a record price for the grade and the prices give a pretty good idea of the range of prices for the most expensive bronze-age book in comics.

I want to highlight two record breaking sales of two sensational 35 cent variants.  The first book is a simply unimprovable Fantastic Four 184 in 9.8.  35 cent price variants which have been certified at 9.8 are the rarest of the rare bronze-age books.  This book is the highest graded by two grades over three 9.4s.  This book was snapped up almost instantly when ebay seller Zillaf4 listed it for $2000.  To repeat myself, again, and again.  These never come up for sale.  The only other recorded sale in GPA of this issue was a 7.0 which sold nine years ago for $53.  2005 prices for 35 cent variants are long gone.

The other highlight was one of the three highest graded Iron Man 100 35 cent variants in 9.2.  Like the Fantastic Four, this book was sold as a Buy-It-Now for $1100.   Iron Man was a second-tier title back in 1977, but Robert Downey has helped make it a first-tier title now and the 100th issue is a great book.  This is the highest graded of 17 currently certified.

GPA variant report for April 2014; record prices for Jungle Action 21 and Iron Fist 13

Every so often I post the GPA variant report that is produced by GPA every month.  As I have written before, I highly recommend GPA to high-quality comic collectors, especially high-quality variant collectors.  Overstreet does not come close to a correct value for these books - GPA is the only useful guide and as you will see in upcoming posts - GPA is only a guide, each sale can bring a new high.

As you can see from the report, there were a couple of highlights for the month.  Here is the sale of the Jungle Action 21, one of the toughest 30 centers particularly in high grade.  The black cover and low distribution of this book add to the difficulty.  $565 is a record price for this issue which isn't surprising because it is the single highest graded of only six specimens.  This book also doesn't come up for sale very often.  The only comparably graded book sold for $82 back in 2005.  Pretty solid appreciation for a hard-to-find 30 cent variant.  One 9.2 on the census and only one 9.0 on the census.

Another record sale propelled Iron Fist 13 into the rapidly growing Four-Figure club.  This book was purchased as a Buy-It-Now Best Offer for $1700.  This 9.4 is one of two highest graded books of this ever-popular Iron Fist issue.  How often does this book come up for sale in high grade?  The previous high sale was a 9.0 for $282 back in 2004.  Yes, 10 years ago.  There are still only 10 of this issue that have been certified.

Warlock sales break record, highest graded.

The three Warlock 30 cent price variants are some of the rarer price variants.  Two very nice price copies of Warlock 13 have sold in the past couple of months.  The first is this single highest-graded CGC 9.8 blazer which brought $795 as a Buy It Now on ebay.  It is one of only two 9.8s on the census.

A 9.6 of the same issue sold for $200.  There are eight 9.6s on the census.  You will note that this is an October sale and the above 9.8 is a December sale.  These are definately two different books, not the same book just resubmitted to CGC.

One of the six highest graded Warlocks of Issue 12 was also sold on ebay for $200.  9.6 is the highest grade for this issue.  There are no 9.8s.

GPA Price Variant report for December 2013 - Marvel Feature 4 joins Four Figure Club

I haven't posted in awhile, but there have been some very nice top census books sold lately so it is time to catch you up with the recent significant book sales.  We can start with one of the best resources, GPA's price variant sales report.  As always, if you don't have a subscription, I highly recommend the service if you buy or sell high-grade comic books.  The service is invaluable and one of the bonuses is the GPA price variant report.  The report for December 2013 is below. 


The highlight of course is the Star Wars 1 in CGC 9.2 that sold for $6550.  This is a new high for the grade and points to the fact that the Star Wars 1 35 cent price variant is still the most desired bronze age book.


The other highlight is the exceptional Marvel Feature 4 in CGC 9.8 which sold for $1850.  This is also a new record for the book and the 9.8 that sold is one of only two 9.8s on the census (the other is a Signature Series book!!!) followed by two 9.6s.  Vintage Red Sonja books are always in demand and this book, with its spectacular cover is no exception.

GPA Price Variant Report for December 2012

Here is the GPA Price Variant Report for December 2012.  Highlights include the always popular Star Wars 1 price variant and a nice mid-grade X-Men 100 for $250.

GPAnalysis Price Variant Report for november 2012

I always recommend GPAnalysis.com to serious collectors of price variant books, particularly high grade.  There is no better source, with the possible exception of this humble blog, for pricing information on these books.  High-grade examples of most of the books trade so infrequently that it is very hard to price them.  Forget using the Overstreet guide for high-grade price variants - it is simply not useful.  Actually, Overstreet is great if you are a buyer.  I would buy books at Overstreet prices all day every day and twice on Sunday.

Anyway, here is the price variant sales report for certified books for November 2012.

X-Men 100

I have always felt that issue 100 is the toughest of the three X-Men 30 cent price variants.  Because it has a white cover and issues 98 and 99 have black covers, I think that X-Men 100 is generally found in higher grade than the other two issues.  Anyway, this is a very nice copy of the book for $455 and they don't come around very often so it is not surprising that this is a record price for this book in this grade.  The last time that this issue in this grade sold was five years ago in 2007 - so these are pretty rare.

GPA's Analysis of Certified Sales of Variants for September 2012

Here is a screenshot of GPA's analysis of sales of certified price variants books.  I highly recommend their service for any serious collector of high grade books.  You will notice the $2225 sale for a CGC 9.6 X-Men 98 30 cent price variant.  What an incredible book! 

I also regularly get people asking me about Star Wars 1 price variants.  As you can see, nice mid-grade copies trade for $2000 so it is unreasonable to expect that you are going to land one of the NM- or better copies cheaply.  In fact, there is enough demand that these books are on the rise again. 

Certified Variant sales as reported by GPAnalysis for the August 2012

Important Iron Fist 14 sale sets record

CGC boardie Keldog sent me a message about an important sale of an exceptionally high-grade Iron Fist 14 35 cent variant.  High-grade dealer Greg Reese's Rare Comics sold this CGC 9.2 copy of this key bronze-age issue.  The sales site shows the comic as sold with the price shown as $6000.  GPAnalysis reports the final sale as $5600.  Since the last reported sale of a CGC 9.2 Iron Fist 14 was $4100, this is a new record for the book.  This sale amount is also higher than the last reported sale of one of the two 9.4 copies in existence in 2006 for $5100.  Your guess is as good as mine, but this sales implies a five figure value for a 9.4 copy in today's market.

GPA variant report for May

As I have written before, GPAnalysis is the best source of information on certified comic sales.  I highly recommend a subscription if for no other reason than getting the market reports.  One of the market reports is the price variant sales report.  This is the report for May 2012.

April GPA Variant Analysis Highlights

Here are the highlights from the April 2011 GPA report.

Notable sales for CGC graded books in June 2011

GPA reports the sale of several significant Marvel Price Variants in 2010.  Price variant collector 4gemworks listed several of his graded undercopies on ebay which released a large number of nice copies on the market for the first time in years.

Among the highlights
X-Men, The (1963-1981) No.99 (9.0) $511
Defenders, The (1972-1986) No.38 (9.2) $150
Amazing Spider-Man, The (1963) No.157 (9.0) $101
Weird Wonder Tales (1973-1977) No.17 (7.0) $80
X-Men, The (1963-1981) No.107 (6.5) $180

Other notable High Grade 30 cent Variant Sales from the May Comiclink Featured Auction

The May 2011 Comiclink Feature Auction was remarkable for the size and quality of its Marvel Bronze Age price variant offerings. 

Amazing Spider-Man 155 - CGC 9.6 White (one of three in grade, two higher)  $305

Amazing Spider-Man 159 - CGC 9.6 White (one of two highest graded) $391 absolute bargain, by the way.

Avengers 148 CGC 9.6 White (one of three in grade, two higher)  $216

Avengers 149 CGC 9.4 Off-White to White (one of five, all highest graded, and the first time any have been auctioned)  $140

Jungle Action 22 CGC 9.4 White (one of three in grade, one higher)  $345.  The last and only time another of these books sold was in 2005 for $200.

Marvel Tales 67 CGC 9.8 White (single highest graded) $330

Marvel Team-Up 45 CGC 9.4 White (one of two highest graded) $330

Marvel Team-Up 46 CGC 9.4 White (one of five, highest graded) $198.  The price on this book, like many variants, has more than doubled in five years.

Marvel Two-In-One 17 CGC 9.6 White (single highest graded) $250

Also, it is always good when a Star Wars 1 comes up for auction.  Star Wars 1 CGC 8.5 Off-White to White $1628. 

There is only one variant listed so far in the June 2011 Comiclink auction.  But... it is a doozy.  The second copy of Star Wars 1 to be graded in 9.6.  I would bet that it is a Queen Angelica book that has been pressed.  If you remember, the last and only other 9.6 to auction, ended north of $25,000 in a Comiclink auction a couple of years ago.

Daredevil 134 in CGC 9.6 White sets record

In the May Comiclink Featured Auction, the single highest graded copy of Daredevil 134 set a new price record for the issue of $425.  At only seven times the average price for its regular issue brethren, I think it was a relative bargain for the auction. 

X-Men 106 35 cent price variant in CGC 9.2 Off-White to White Pages Breaks $1000 barrier

The 2nd highest graded copy of the 35 cent variant issue of X-Men 106 recently sold on ebay for $1000 which means this issue joins the $1000 club for price variant sales.  One of two copies that have received a grade of 9.2, this book trails only one book that has been graded higher at 9.6.  Regular issue copies certified in 9.2 trade for $50, so the price of the variant issue is twenty time higher than the regular issue.

What is the 9.6 worth?  A premium for certain since the book is a single highest graded copy right in the sweet spot of bronze age X-Men greatness.  Twenty times the regular issue value of $150 in CGC 9.6 would be $3000.  Who knows?  What we do know is that there have been 553 copies certified of the regular issue and only 13 copies certified of the variant issue.  Putting together a complete set of high grade X-Men price variants is a major challenge.