Where Is Superman #1?
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Key comics continue to set record prices and continue to be the gold
standard of the hobby. In 2004, a private collector paid $250,000 for a CGC
certified 7.5 copy of Superman #1. Recently, a CGC certified 8.0 copy
that was restored and noted as having moderate professional work sold for
$65,000. This is the highest restored copy in this tier of restoration and is
tied with one additional copy. The latest CGC Census notes only 46 copies total
with 15 unrestored copies and 31 restored copies. Of the 31 restored copies 1
has extensive amateur restoration, 19 extensive professional, eight moderate
professional, two slight amateur, and one slight professional. So, where is
Superman #1?
standard of the hobby. In 2004, a private collector paid $250,000 for a CGC
certified 7.5 copy of Superman #1. Recently, a CGC certified 8.0 copy
that was restored and noted as having moderate professional work sold for
$65,000. This is the highest restored copy in this tier of restoration and is
tied with one additional copy. The latest CGC Census notes only 46 copies total
with 15 unrestored copies and 31 restored copies. Of the 31 restored copies 1
has extensive amateur restoration, 19 extensive professional, eight moderate
professional, two slight amateur, and one slight professional. So, where is
Superman #1?
Given the print run and survival rate we can expect that a small number of
copies exist, but based on sales data from the past 30 years in the hobby, we
would expect to see perhaps a few more examples. When you look at the data for
restored copies it is interesting to note that while some collectors shy away
from restored comics there are very few high grade unrestored key comics
available. Collectors would be wise to take a look at the availability of both
restored and unrestored copies and those with minor professional restoration. In
our opinion, rare key comics with moderate professional and slight professional
restoration have no place to go but up in value.
copies exist, but based on sales data from the past 30 years in the hobby, we
would expect to see perhaps a few more examples. When you look at the data for
restored copies it is interesting to note that while some collectors shy away
from restored comics there are very few high grade unrestored key comics
available. Collectors would be wise to take a look at the availability of both
restored and unrestored copies and those with minor professional restoration. In
our opinion, rare key comics with moderate professional and slight professional
restoration have no place to go but up in value.
“In the past five years since certification began the marketplace had a
sudden knee jerk reaction to comic restoration. This reaction had nothing to do
with certification companies, but was due to the dramatic prices paid for high
grade unrestored comics in a short period of time. With only limited numbers of
key comics available and many unrestored keys being held in long term
collections collectors should consider looking at moderate and slight
professionally restored comics as these may be the best available in the
marketplace,” commented Gemstone Publishing’s Tom Gordon III.
sudden knee jerk reaction to comic restoration. This reaction had nothing to do
with certification companies, but was due to the dramatic prices paid for high
grade unrestored comics in a short period of time. With only limited numbers of
key comics available and many unrestored keys being held in long term
collections collectors should consider looking at moderate and slight
professionally restored comics as these may be the best available in the
marketplace,” commented Gemstone Publishing’s Tom Gordon III.
