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Auctionbytes-Update, Number 3 - December 04, 1999 - ISSN 1528-6703
Collector's Corner
1) Comics: What Comics Will Sell Well?
By Wilson (Win) H. Bent, Jr.
You may have a general idea of what your comics are worth, but that's not the same as knowing which ones are likely to sell! There are tens of thousands of comic-book auctions, selling all types of comics. Which are the most popular types?
Sure-fire winners are virtually anything over 30 years old: The DC and Marvel superheroes of the 1960s, crime and horror comics of the 1950s, westerns and funny-animal comics of the late 1940s, and superhero comics during World War II are all popular. Newer comics, in particular anything published in the 1990s, were all published in large quantities, so they're easy to find in good condition. High supply means low demand, resulting in low prices.
As always, use eBay's "Completed Auctions" function, located at the bottom of the main search page - this is a valuable research tool!
2) Toy Exclusives
By Ray Tipton
One controversial aspect of toy collecting is toy exclusives. Toy manufacturers often make special deals to sell a certain toy or line of toys exclusively to one retailer. Many major toy retailers such as Toys R Us, Target, KB Toys, FAO Schwartz and Wal-Mart participate in these exclusive deals. Because these stores get a limited supply, and because many people living in rural communities simply do not have access to some of these stores, there is often a flurry of activity on online auctions for these toy exclusives.
The coming of the online auction industry greatly improves the odds of die hard collectors obtaining some of the hardest to get toy exclusives. Even toys that are sold only in one country can now easily be obtained - for the right price.
The monthly magazines Lee's Action Figure News and Toy Review and Tomart's Action Figure Digest are excellent tools to find out where and when certain toy exclusives will be shipping. (Always be as informed as possible before jumping into a deal that you might later regret.)
3) Stamps: A Legacy of Collecting
By John Kirsner
My grandfather just passed away. He wasn't a collector, but strongly encouraged my father, brother and me to become interested in collecting. As a result, my dad collects books, my brother collects political memorabilia, and I collect stamps, pulps and comics.
You do not need to fully understand a particular area of collecting in order to appreciate it, or encourage your family to collect. My grandfather spent many hours with us reviewing our collections.
Take time out to encourage the younger generation in their collecting endeavors. Get interested in their collections, whether it be stamps or Pokemon, and you will assist a younger person in developing their own interests as well as finding out the enjoyment of collecting as a pastime.
In coming articles, I will discuss auction strategy, grading, Web alternatives to eBay, payment issues, and more. Finally, one of the best ways to get involved in stamps is by joining the American Philatelic Society (~~~~http://www.west.net/~stamps1/aps.html), which publishes a wonderful monthly magazine.
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