OT- Highest graded Action Comics #1:Superman's Debut up for auction on eBay...HAMMER: $3,207,852.00

Goldbully · August 16, 2014 8:07AM

For sale here is the single most valuable comic book to ever be offered for sale, and is likely to be the only time ever offered for sale during many of our lifetimes. There are no second chances. This is a NO RESERVE auction.

This is THE comic book that started it all. This comic features not only the first appearance of Superman, Clark Kent and Lois Lane, but this comic began the entire superhero genre that has followed during the 76 years since. It is referred to as the Holy Grail of comics and this is the finest graded copy to exist with perfect white pages. This is .... the Mona Lisa of comics and stands alone as the most valuable comic book ever printed.

This particular copy is the nicest that has ever been graded, with an ASTONISHING grade of CGC 9.0 ! To date, no copies have been graded higher and only one other copy has received the same grade. It is fair to say though that this copy blows the other 9.0 out of the water. Compared to the other 9.0 that sold for $2.1million several years ago it has significant superior eye appeal, extremely vibrant colors and PERFECT WHITE PAGES. This means after 76 years the aging process has yet to begin. Truly this book is a museum piece. It is one of only two copies of this comic in ANY condition to ever be graded with the distinction of having White pages, the other being a CGC 2.5 !

If you are looking to purchase or invest in comic books this is without exaggeration the single best graded comic book that exists. It is the highest graded copy of the most sought after comic book in the hobby, and has the best possible page quality that can be assigned. If anyone has ever been curious what an Action Comics 1 looked like the day it came off of the newsstand 75 years ago, this is the answer.

This comic is the best of the absolute best and whoever wins this auction will be the envy of the entire hobby for many decades to come.

I proudly present Action Comics #1 CGC 9.0 WHITE Pages.
Please enjoy,
Darren Adams

Amazing Comic Book Auction Link

MsMorrisine · August 16, 2014 8:16AM

See also

Super neat auction going on right now

vibr0nic · August 16, 2014 8:21AM

I prefer the 50th anniversary version reprint which I got for less than $10 on eBay out of curiosity. Did nothing for me, though (quite the disappointment, frankly). I gave it to my 2 year old. At least he liked it. Then he started to eat it. Oh well.

One thing I always found odd was that you can't even enjoy the contents of comics when they are slabbed. At least you can actually look at a coin, and appreciate it fully, through a slab. To each their own of course.

pf70collector · August 16, 2014 8:39AM

I remember the Death of Superman version. Bought one and than they did a second printing and ruined the market for it.

Shamika · August 16, 2014 8:50AM

<< See also

Super neat auction going on right now >>

But this thread has a much better title. It certainly got me to take a look.

For those interested, here is the history behind this particular copy.

Zoins · August 16, 2014 8:54AM

<< At least you can actually look at a coin, and appreciate it fully, through a slab. >>

Many collectors would disagree with appreciate fully. You can certainly appreciate a coin in a slab and it is more protected, but the tactile feel of the coin is no longer available and it's much harder to appreciate the edges and photograph. Of course, for many - myself included, the tradeoff is well worthwhile but there is a tradeoff.

This is a big difference from say classic cars, many of which people still sit in and drive around

khayse · August 16, 2014 9:01AM

Who has a Visa/MC with a 1.75 million limit?

-KHayse

DMWJR · August 16, 2014 9:13AM

<< See also

Super neat auction going on right now >>

Shhh ... don't be rude. It's always more important if GB make the announcement

SeattleSlammer · August 16, 2014 9:17AM

So cool.
Love it.

vibr0nic · August 16, 2014 9:21AM

<< 

<< At least you can actually look at a coin, and appreciate it fully, through a slab. >>

Many collectors would disagree with appreciate fully >>

Maybe some. Personally, I don't feel like I'm missing anything while viewing a coin in a slab. It's first and foremost a visual experience, not a tactile one, to me. I've honestly never held a coin in a slab and thought, "man I really wish I could just touch this coin". Never crosses my mind. Regardless, we're mincing words - my comment was primarily about how entombed comics cannot be enjoyed much at all (relatively speaking) which remains quite true.

SeattleSlammer · August 16, 2014 9:24AM

<< 

<< 

<< At least you can actually look at a coin, and appreciate it fully, through a slab. >>

Many collectors would disagree with appreciate fully >>

Maybe some. Personally, I don't feel like I'm missing anything while viewing a coin in a slab. It's first and foremost a visual experience, not a tactile one, to me. I've honestly never held a coin in a slab and thought, "man I really wish I could just touch this coin". Never crosses my mind. Regardless, we're mincing words - my comment was primarily about how entombed comics cannot be enjoyed much at all (relatively speaking) which remains quite true. >>

Isn't this sort of missing the point with an uber rare and valuable comic like this? Go find a low grade example, crack it out, and have at it!!

vibr0nic · August 16, 2014 9:26AM

<< 

<< Maybe some. Personally, I don't feel like I'm missing anything while viewing a coin in a slab. It's first and foremost a visual experience, not a tactile one, to me. I've honestly never held a coin in a slab and thought, "man I really wish I could just touch this coin". Never crosses my mind. Regardless, we're mincing words - my comment was primarily about how entombed comics cannot be enjoyed much at all (relatively speaking) which remains quite true. >>

Isn't this sort of missing the point with an uber rare and valuable comic like this? Go find a low grade example, crack it out, and have at it!! >>

Ha, slammer read my earlier comment about this!

Justlooking · August 16, 2014 9:26AM

High grade, unbelievable state of preservation. One of the Holy Grail-type comic books.

SeattleSlammer · August 16, 2014 9:27AM

<< 

<< 

<< Maybe some. Personally, I don't feel like I'm missing anything while viewing a coin in a slab. It's first and foremost a visual experience, not a tactile one, to me. I've honestly never held a coin in a slab and thought, "man I really wish I could just touch this coin". Never crosses my mind. Regardless, we're mincing words - my comment was primarily about how entombed comics cannot be enjoyed much at all (relatively speaking) which remains quite true. >>

Isn't this sort of missing the point with an uber rare and valuable comic like this? Go find a low grade example, crack it out, and have at it!! >>

Ha, slammer read my earlier comment about this!

>>

In that case,

SeattleSlammer · August 16, 2014 9:33AM

Kind of interesting that currently there are 21 bids but only 7 bidders. Especially with high level dollar amounts like that ..... but I suppose that it's all relative!

Zoins · August 16, 2014 9:34AM

<< Kind of interesting that currently there are 21 bids but only 7 bidders. Especially with high level dollar amounts like that ..... but I suppose that it's all relative! >>

If the CGC 9.0 non-white sold for $2.1M a few years ago, so I imagine there doesn't need to be that many bidders to get a CGC 9.0 white into that range

SeattleSlammer · August 16, 2014 9:38AM

<< 

<< Kind of interesting that currently there are 21 bids but only 7 bidders. Especially with high level dollar amounts like that ..... but I suppose that it's all relative! >>

If the CGC 9.0 non-white sold for $2.1M a few years ago, I imagine there doesn't need to be that many bidders to get a CGC 9.0 white into that range

>>

I agree with you.
I just mean that it seems like if you're able to bid at those levels, then you'd just put in one big bid, sit back and wait....instead of bidding multiple times....

MsMorrisine · August 16, 2014 11:12AM

Will it be well bought?

Zoins · August 16, 2014 11:14AM

I like how they have a Google ad for this as well.

How many individual eBay auctions have their own Google ad?

And how is Verizon connected to this auction?

Kyle · August 16, 2014 11:16AM

<< But this thread has a much better title. It certainly got me to take a look.

For those interested, here is the history behind this particular copy. >>

Link doesn't seem to work.

Zoins · August 16, 2014 11:17AM

<< 

<< But this thread has a much better title. It certainly got me to take a look.

For those interested, here is the history behind this particular copy. >>

Link doesn't seem to work. >>

Fixed link. Great video with discussion about just how special this copy is.

AnkurJ · August 16, 2014 11:17AM

Estimate is 2-3 million. A book that collectors dream about. Beat to heck copies start at $75k!

On a side note, while this may be the current finest known, there is one in better condition from a famous collection called the Mile High collection that is supposedly even higher grade.

bronzemat · August 16, 2014 11:31AM

Surprised this wasnt taken to the shop on Pawn Stars, been easier, lol. *kidding*.

braddick · August 16, 2014 11:48AM

Auction start time: 18:00 hours (opens at .99)

First bid start time: 18:03:27
Next bid start time: 18"03:30

Both starting bids at one million dollars.
So… within three minutes of the auction start two bidders, each within three seconds of each other, bid a million.

(It would take a second bidder matching or toping the first bidder's bid to have that first bidder's bid show up.)

Anyone else call shenanigans on any of this?

MsMorrisine · August 16, 2014 11:59AM

if a dealer tells the customers the item number, it can get hit quickly.

DMWJR · August 16, 2014 12:33PM

<< Who has a Visa/MC with a 1.75 million limit?

-KHayse >>

That would be the Uranium Visa Card. Only the Most Interesting Man in the World has one.

Visa doesn't tell him when to make a payment, HE tells Visa when he is going to make a payment.

pf70collector · August 16, 2014 12:55PM

What about shill bidders. The whole world can bid on this item. What's to stop that. Any prankster can bid $3-4 million. What is their obligation to pay. What if you don't, so you get banned from ebay. Doesn't seem like the right venue to sell such an item.

Goldbully · August 16, 2014 1:05PM

<< What about shill bidders. The whole world can bid on this item. What's to stop that. Any prankster can bid $3-4 million. What is their obligation to pay. What if you don't, so you get banned from ebay. Doesn't seem like the right venue to sell such an item. >>

Seems like the wrong venue to me also, however a huge eBay auction is major national news........how much goodwill is value added for seller?

MsMorrisine · August 16, 2014 1:09PM

Pre-approved bidders only

hchcoin · August 16, 2014 1:16PM

Very cool! Wonder what it would take to get pre qualified.

Zoins · August 16, 2014 1:18PM

I have to hand it to eBay. At first I thought the description itself was already cool done it's comic book way but this is a Very Cool Ad Page

AnkurJ · August 16, 2014 1:45PM

Even though this book will be out my price range for the forseeable future, it will help the value of others in my collection

Raufus · August 16, 2014 2:02PM

Thanks for starting the thread. Extremely interesting. I wonder what tgr FVF will be.
My Dad was born in '31. He was very into comics and baseball cards as a child. Before he went into the service for Korea he implored my grandma to be sure to keep his collections safe. She threw all comics and cards away. Sickening. To think what could be in the family today. Of course, I'm sure the same circumstances were repeated countless times in the 50s.

Walkerfan · August 16, 2014 2:09PM

<< 

<< Who has a Visa/MC with a 1.75 million limit?

-KHayse >>

That would be the Uranium Visa Card. Only the Most Interesting Man in the World has one.

Visa doesn't tell him when to make a payment, HE tells Visa when he is going to make a payment. >>

This made me laugh really hard!!

DMWJR · August 16, 2014 10:23PM

Casman · August 16, 2014 11:07PM

And there's the Ferrari that sold recently for $38 Million, the highest paid for any car...beats a comic book any day.

pitboss · August 16, 2014 11:35PM

Some people have more money than brains.

Kyle · August 17, 2014 5:24AM

<< Auction start time: 18:00 hours (opens at .99)

First bid start time: 18:03:27
Next bid start time: 18"03:30

Both starting bids at one million dollars.
So… within three minutes of the auction start two bidders, each within three seconds of each other, bid a million.

(It would take a second bidder matching or toping the first bidder's bid to have that first bidder's bid show up.)

Anyone else call shenanigans on any of this? >>

Like MsMorrisine said, only pre-registered bidders are allowed to participate in the auction.

The bidders were probably waiting for the listing to go live, so they could place their first bids.

tradedollarnut · August 17, 2014 5:27AM

<< Some people have more money than brains. >>

Some people have so much money, they don't need brains. And are doing just fine....

291fifth · August 17, 2014 5:28AM

Just what I want to spend big money on ... a comic book printed on pulp paper.

Zoins · August 17, 2014 5:35AM

<< Some people have more money than brains. >>

Some people have so much money, this is a no-brainer

Zoins · August 17, 2014 5:36AM

<< Just what I want to spend big money on ... a comic book printed on pulp paper. >>

Is that about the same as say a small disc of copper or silver?

Goldbully · August 17, 2014 7:36AM

Flying onto eBay's auction block on Thursday, the comic book that introduced the Man of Steel to the world is now officially available to anyone who prequalifies as a buyer and has at least a couple of million dollars to spare. Published in June 1938 and created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Action Comics No. 1 marked the first appearance of mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent who fought crime in Metropolis and around the world under the guise of Superman.

The copy of Action Comics No. 1 up for auction on eBay is considered the "holy grail" of comic books not just for its place in history but for its condition. The issue was awarded a grade of 9.0 from the Certified Guaranty Company, the highest grade ever assigned to a copy of Action Comics #1 issue by CGC and a sign that the 76-year-old comic is still in super condition.

"The quality and preservation of this Action No. 1 is astounding," Paul Litch, CGC Primary Grader, said in a statement last month. "The book looks and feels like it just came off the newsstand. It is supple, the colors are deep and rich and the quality of the white pages is amazing for a comic that is 76 years old."

So just how much might a buyer spend on this historic comic book?

The only other copy of Action Comics No. 1 that garnered a CGC rating of 9.0 went for $2,161,000 in 2011. Sold by actor and Superman fan Nicolas Cage, that issue had cream-colored to off-white pages, while the issue now on auction through eBay has pure white pages and is deemed in "pristine" condition.

The description on eBay calls the issue "the finest known copy of the most sought after comic book in the world. A 1938 museum piece with PERFECT WHITE pristine pages." As such, the bidding could soar as high as $3 million, which would be the highest price ever paid for a comic book.

Diehard comic book collectors and millionaires who want to bid on the book first have to preregister with Auction Cause, a celebrity and brand auction management agency handling bidder prequalification. The purpose of the prequalification page is to prescreen people to make sure they're legitimate bidders.

Part of the proceeds of the auction will go toward the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The issue itself is being auctioned by collectibles dealer Darren Adams, who took to the eBay page to tout the worth and historic value of the comic book:
For sale here is the single most valuable comic book to ever be offered for sale, and is likely to be the only time ever offered for sale during many of our lifetimes. There are no second chances. This is a NO RESERVE auction.

This is THE comic book that started it all. This comic features not only the first appearance of Superman, Clark Kent and Lois Lane, but this comic began the entire superhero genre that has followed during the 76 years since. It is referred to as the Holy Grail of comics and this is the finest graded copy to exist with perfect white pages. This is .... the Mona Lisa of comics and stands alone as the most valuable comic book ever printed.

Since Thursday, the auction has picked up more than a dozen bids beyond its listing price, starting at a cool million and resting now at $1,600,100. Tune in again, faithful viewers, to see how high the bidding goes before the winner is unmasked on August 24.
CNET News Link

Zoins · August 17, 2014 7:43AM

<< The only other copy of Action Comics No. 1 that garnered a CGC rating of 9.0 went for $2,161,000 in 2011. Sold by actor and Superman fan Nicolas Cage, that issue had cream-colored to off-white pages, while the issue now on auction through eBay has pure white pages and is deemed in "pristine" condition. >>

Nice to have some celebrity collectors

Unknown · August 17, 2014 7:52AM

This content has been removed.

ChrisRx · August 17, 2014 12:09PM

"Payments: Visa/MasterCard"

Think of the ebay bucks!

Goldbully · August 19, 2014 3:10AM

<<

For sale here is the single most valuable comic book to ever be offered for sale, and is likely to be the only time ever offered for sale during many of our lifetimes. There are no second chances. This is a NO RESERVE auction.

This is THE comic book that started it all. This comic features not only the first appearance of Superman, Clark Kent and Lois Lane, but this comic began the entire superhero genre that has followed during the 76 years since. It is referred to as the Holy Grail of comics and this is the finest graded copy to exist with perfect white pages. This is .... the Mona Lisa of comics and stands alone as the most valuable comic book ever printed.

This particular copy is the nicest that has ever been graded, with an ASTONISHING grade of CGC 9.0 ! To date, no copies have been graded higher and only one other copy has received the same grade. It is fair to say though that this copy blows the other 9.0 out of the water. Compared to the other 9.0 that sold for $2.1million several years ago it has significant superior eye appeal, extremely vibrant colors and PERFECT WHITE PAGES. This means after 76 years the aging process has yet to begin. Truly this book is a museum piece. It is one of only two copies of this comic in ANY condition to ever be graded with the distinction of having White pages, the other being a CGC 2.5 !

If you are looking to purchase or invest in comic books this is without exaggeration the single best graded comic book that exists. It is the highest graded copy of the most sought after comic book in the hobby, and has the best possible page quality that can be assigned. If anyone has ever been curious what an Action Comics 1 looked like the day it came off of the newsstand 75 years ago, this is the answer.

This comic is the best of the absolute best and whoever wins this auction will be the envy of the entire hobby for many decades to come.

I proudly present Action Comics #1 CGC 9.0 WHITE Pages.
Please enjoy,
Darren Adams

Amazing Comic Book Auction Link >>

Up to $1,950,100 today