Market Report — Comic Books

Comic books are hot collectibles, with those published between 1938 and 1979 being the most collectible. Many superheroes, including Batman and Superman, made their first appearances during that time in what are called “origin issues.”   “Batman is always very collectible. He’s still the No. 1 seller even today. Early Supermans are also on the top,” […]

Selling Advice

Decades ago, the Kovels’ wrote: “There is a time in everyone’s life when you must decide what to do with an attic, basement, or even a drawer full of odd bits of small “junk.” Don’t throw anything away. More good antiques have been lost because of overeager housekeeping than by all other ways combined. Open […]

How to Buy or Sell — Sports Collectibles

Baseball cards and other sports cards have been collected since they were first distributed in the 1880s. The first cards were placed in packs of cigarettes or tobacco as free advertising promotion pieces. From 1910 to 1915 cards were made by the millions, then only a few were made until the 1930s. The second period […]

How to Buy or Sell — Holiday Collectibles

If your attic has been used for storage for the past 30 years or more, it probably holds some valuable holiday collectibles. Christmas ornaments, figural light bulbs, tree holders, cards, tinsel, Halloween papier-mâché pumpkins, skeletons, costumes, candy containers, even Fourth of July banners, lacy valentines, or fireworks package labels, are eagerly collected. The prices paid […]

How to Buy or Sell — Autographs

Nineteenth-century autograph collectors wanted just the signatures of famous people. They cut names from the bottoms of letters or other documents, destroying much of their value. Today’s collector prefers the entire letter or document. Never cut out a signature! If you find old books, letters, deeds, or even scribbled notes signed by an author or […]

How to Buy or Sell — Comic Art

Action Comics No. 1 was the first superhero comic. In June 1938, this comic book introduced Superman. A copy of the comic book sold for $3.2 million in 2014. A copy in lower condition sold in 2018 for $573,600. A copy of Marvel Comics No. 1, Oct.-Nov. 1939, in mint condition, sold in 1984 for […]

How to Buy or Sell — Celebrity Memorabilia

TV, RADIO, AND RECORDING STARS TV and radio materials are collected by fans and by those who are interested in old-time radio. Contact these collectors online, through the radio publications, at special shops and shows, or at the large flea markets. Star Trek fans have special shows each year and buy and sell old scripts, […]