Dark Avengers

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Make sure and click on the active links to learn more about the titles and creators discussed here.

Before we get started: Good news about the comic market. Click here to read a great article from the The Boston Globe about the state of the comic book market on the East Coast. It’s actually good news.

It’s Wednesday again, and there’s more than 150 new titles hitting the shelves. Some are great reads, others a waste of your time and money. I try not to point fingers and laugh here; that’s for my other comic blog, but concentrate on which titles are going to go fast. So let’s get to it, but before we do . . .

Click here to see a complete list of new comics shipping this Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Speculator Picks of the Week:

This is the part where I use my comic swami powers to peer into the future and pick out three titles that could sell out very quickly. Buy them now at cover price or pay twice as much later.

Cowboy Ninja Viking #2 of 4: Image Comics

Cowboy Ninja Viking

Solicitation: Dr. Ghislain sends C.N.V and partner Sara Nix to Tokyo to track down rogue Triplet Yashitiko Ammo (P.G.O) and things go from bad to worse, starting with the fact that sticking C.N.V in economy class on a 18-hour flight to Japan is, in the history of bad ideas, right up there with Stalin, polyester, and Axe Body Spray. Plus, we finally learn who the Scarf Guy is!

Ali vs. Frazier! Tyson vs. Holyfield! Cowboy/Ninja/Viking vs. Pirate/Gladiator/Oceanographer!

24 PGS
$3.50 US
Written by Aj Lieberman; Pencils by Riley Rossmo.

Why it’ll go fast: When I picked CNV #1 to sell out I had no idea that there would be huge shipping errors and allocations on the title across the country. I had heard that Another Dimension Comics in Alberta, Calgary was shorted its entire order on CNV, which is funny because the artist on the the title, Riley Rossmo, works there part time. Whoops! Initial orders on #1 were light, as usual for an Image title, Internet buzz was huge and shipping errors whipped the nerds into a fervor resulting in copies selling for $10 and up. I’m not predicting shipping errors on issue #2—although Diamond screwing up is becoming a safer bet every week—but there will be lighter orders than on number #1. There always is.

Dr. Horrible: Dark Horse

Dr. Horrible

Solicitation: From the Joss Whedon-helmed webmovie “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” comes the origin story of the next greatest supervillain of all time . . . Dr. Horrible!

In this one-shot comic, Zack Whedon and artist Joelle Jones (Token) establish how a young, impressionable, but brilliant Dr. Horrible was drawn into a world of crime. Readers are reacquainted with the charming, brawny, crime-fighting superhero extraordinaire Captain Hammer when Dr. Horrible crosses paths with his greatest enemy in an all-out showdown of immeasurable proportions. Special guest appearances include Dr. Horrible’s love interest, Penny; his sidekick, Moist; and a meter man. Fans of Joss Whedon and the smash-hit musical “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” will not want to miss this!

Includes two alternate covers by artist Kristian Donaldson (DMZ, Supermarket) and a pin-up from superstar artist Gene Ha (The 49ers).
40 PGS
$3.50 US
SEP090009
Written by Zack Whedon; Pencils by Joelle Jones; Cover by Dan Jackson; Variant Cover by Kristian Donaldson.

Why it’ll go fast: Never underestimate Joss Whedon fans. These are the same people who managed to keep “Dollhouse” on the Fox network for two seasons, and that’s saying something. Now, most of us who aren’t huge Whedon-nerds may not have heard of “Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.” Being a Whedon-nerd myself, I have, and recommend you check it out. I just don’t see any retailers ordering heavy on this issue making it an instant sell-out. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Doc Horrible selling for $20 by Friday. Now re-order and reprint sales might fill the market for this comics pretty quickly, as a lot of Whedon fans may not be concerned with owning a first printing. And keep in mind; Joss didn’t write this comic. If this one is hot, it’s only go to be for a few weeks.

Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1 of 5: Marvel Comics

Realm of Kings: Inhumans

Solicitation: A Realm Of Kings series! Now led by Queen Medusa, the battered and bruised Inhuman royal family struggles to maintain their grip on the reigns of power over the Kree Empire. Courtly intrigues and external threats are beginning to erode their rule–but the biggest threat may lurk within the family itself! War Of Kings’ Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning unite with Pablo Raimondi (X-Factor) for the next chapter in the lives of these classic Marvel characters!

32 PGS
$3.99 US
SEP090454
Written by Andy Lanning and Dan Abnett; Pencils by Pablo Raimondi; Inks by Andrew Hennessy; Cover by Frank Martin.

Why it’ll go fast: Realm of Kings #1 is the big news this week and it’s going to be the highest-ordered of the crossover event. The RoK Inhumans comic will probably be ordered close to the same level as the one-shot but will still sell out faster. Anyone who has been around for any of Abnett and Lanning’s cosmic crossover events knows they don’t tell worthless tie-in stories. This Inhumans tie-in will probably be the main crux of the story seeing as it deals with the disappearance of Black Bolt and how Medusa will lead her people. When readers who loved the last two Cosmic Crossovers go looking for this comic it might not be there.

Now go shopping nerds! You only have six days until next Wednesday!

Next week, in honor of the latest Marvel Cosmic Crossover, “Realm of Kings,” I’ll be taking a look at some key issues starring Marvel’s Cosmic Heroes.

————————————–

If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question below in the “comments” section below. Also, you can follow me on Twitter, where I’m always screaming about something nerd-related. Thanks to all my new followers and keep the comments coming! Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint to search its database or use its “Ask A Worthologist” feature. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price. And finally, a word to the Federal Trade Commission; all the comics discussed here are purchased solely by the writer, who receives no gifts or free merchandise from any publishers, even though he would graciously accept them.

————————————–

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

Alien Legion

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by WorthPoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at trends—good and bad—in the world of comic books from a collector’s point-of-view. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here and he encourages fellow comic nerds to post your comments below.

Years ago, while scanning the quarter bin at a now-defunct comic shop, I found a cover that caught my eye and for once, at the tender age of 15 or 16, I left the comic shop with a book that didn’t star Batman, Captain America, Spidey or Wolverine. That comic was “Alien Legion” volume 2, #2. Upon reading it, I instantly fell in love. Written by Chuck Dixon, who has also written some of my favorite Batman comics, and drawn by the incomparable Larry Stroman, Alien Legion followed a motley-alien-army-force into battle on even more alien worlds. I spent the next few years completing my Alien Legion run and will never part it, ever. I love Alien Legion and was overjoyed to hear about the Dark Horse “Alien Legion Omnibus” #1, which collects 300 pages of the original Carl Potts and the Chuck Dixon series. But lost my mind when I heard that Dixon and Stroman were reuniting for a new Alien Legion mini-series. I can’t tell you how geeked I am for this. I even told my fiancée. Who stared at me blankly and said, “That’s great, sweetie.”

The Stack:

Below you’ll find my stack of comics for the week of Wednesday, Nov. 18. Make sure and post your own weekly stack of comics below so I can make fun of what you’re reading and vice-versa. For a full list of comics shipping this week click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

Adventure Comics #4
Alien Legion Omnibus Volume 1
Amazing Spider-Man #612
Cowboy Ninja Viking #2 of 4
Dark Avengers #11
Dark Reign: The List: Amazing Spider-Man
The Flash: Rebirth #5 of 6
Incredible Hulk #604
Mighty Avengers #31
Punisher #11
Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1 of 5
Realm of Kings
Spider-Woman #3
Supergirl #47
Thunderbolts #138
Wolverine: Weapon X #7

Thoughts on the stack:

Adventure Comics

Cowboy Ninja Viking

Dark Avengers

“Adventure Comics” by Geoff Johns is one of the best monthly comics I’ve read in quite a while. Johns has succeeded, yet again, in making me care about Conner Kent, Superboy. Unfortunately, Johns is only on the title for two more issues before Paul Levitz takes over. Yes, I’m being pessimistic here, but honestly, the guy hasn’t written comics since 1989. Which isn’t completely true. He wrote some fill-in issues of JSA that were . . . meh . . . at best.

“Cowboy Ninja Viking” is fun in the vein of Matt Fraction’s “Cassanova.” Issue one was violent, spastic, sexy, well-drawn, well-written and all-around-awesome. This is the kind of story you will only see in comic format. Don’t expect to see an AMC original series about a killer with a multiple personality disorder each of which are trained to kill as different historical warriors anytime soon. I highly recommend checking this one out.

“Dark Avengers” #11 wins the best-cover-of-the-week award with a homage to Todd McFarlane’s Spiderman #1. The closer we get to January’s “Siege” event, which looks to be the end of the “Dark Reign” crossover, the more nervous I get about this title ending. “Dark Avengers” is high-quality super-hero, or I guess in this case super-villain, storytelling and I love it. Every month.

Dark Reign: The List: Spiderman

Mighty Avengers

“Dark Reign: The List: Spiderman” is the only title with two—count ’em, two—semicolons, so it has to be good. That, and the fact that we finally get to see Norman Osborne go after Spiderman. Oh, and Dann Slott is writing with Adam Kubert on pencils. So I guess if you’re an uninformed jerk that hates Spiderman and America and your Grandparents and Thanksgiving, you’ll be skipping this one.

“Mighty Avengers” #31. Just when I thought I was done with this title writer Dan Slott pulls me back in by having Eternity name Hank Pym as Earth’s Scientist Supreme. It’s the little things that get me. I’m in Slott and cowriter Christos Gage have got me for at least six more issues. Although it would be nice if the art team could remain static for at least one story-arc.

Realm of Kings

Thunderbolts

“Realm of Kings” and “Realm of Kings: Inhumans” are must-buys. The writing team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have transformed Marvel’s confusing and often boring cosmic cast into a cohesive, compelling and very well-written group of characters. Marvel Sci-Fi has never been this good. The fact that I even care about a Green Lantern knock-off character like Quasar blows my mind.

“Thunderbolts” is on its last chance with me. In fact, the only reason I’m picking this issue up is because of writer, Jeff Parker (“Agents of Atlas”). But honestly, this is Thunderbolts last chance. I don’t hate the book I’m just reading enough titles starring Marvel villains. If I’m going to read one starring Paladin, Nuke and the Headsman (whose real name is Cleavon Twain; terrible right?) it’s going to have to be pretty damn well written.

And now it’s time to mash all these comics together, mix with water, place on a giant spoon and cook them down to see which is the one comic I can’t live without this week in a little section I’m calling:

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!

Punisher #11; Marvel Comics

Punisher #11

Solicitation: “Franken-Castle” Part 1. In the belly of New York, skulking and forgotten creatures of the night uncover the remains of a man in a familiar outfit. Frank Castle is dead. What exactly is Frankencastle? Long time collaborators Rick Remender and Tony Moore (Ghost Rider, Fear Agent, The Walking Dead) are reunited for what will be the greatest struggle in the afterlife of the Punisher. Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster . . .

32 PGS
$2.99 US
SEP090449
Written by Rick Remender; Pencils and inks by Tony Moore; Cover by Dave Wilkins.

Why this one? Rick Remender’s Punisher has been fantastic so far but is running the risk of wandering into the doldrums of the typical Punisher story where in Frank goes after bad guys, has a little trouble with them and then kills the hell out of ’em. It’s a formula that’s worked for 35 years now, sure. Rick Remender is not your average writer and proved it when he chopped the hero of his story into pieces in the pages of “Dark Reign: The List: Punisher.” That’s right, Frank Castle is dead. Way dead. Pile-of-dismembered-body-parts dead. But now he’s back in a story aptly titled “Frankencastle.” This one’s got everything, Mole Men, the Man Thing and an undead Punisher. If you’re not excited about this one you could be a jerk. And you hate comics.

Nerdy Question of the Week:

Earlier in this blog I was gushing about “Alien Legion.” Everyone has a title like this that almost no body else cared about. What’s yours?

See ya next time, true believers.

————————————–

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by WorthPoint comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday, Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here. Also, feel free to post your comments in the new “comments” section below, or you can follow him on Twitter, where he is always screaming about something nerd-related. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your comics in the “Ask A Worthologist” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price. And finally a word to the Federal Trade Commission; all the comics discussed here are purchased solely by the writer, who receives no gifts or free merchandise from any publishers even though he would graciously accept them.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

Moon Knight

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Make sure and click on the active links to learn more about the titles and creators discussed here.

Much like Hip-Hop music, comic books creators make a living ripping each other off. Also like Hip-Hop, the practice of lifting ideas, names, and sometimes even costumes is widely accepted. Take the subtle differences in appearance between Lil Jon and T Pain as compared to Deathstroke and Deadpool and the analogy becomes very clear. There was a great panel in Joe Kelly’s 1997 “Deadpool” run that sums up the Stroke/Pool likeness. Another of Marvel’s great rip-off characters (and that’s not to say that DC hasn’t borrowed plenty from Marvel) is their very own Batman, Marc Spector, Moon Knight.

Just like Bruce Wayne, Marc Spector was a rich guy who decided to train himself to the point of physical perfection, use his wealth to create gadgets (including a moon-mobile, moon-plane, and moon-arangs; although not by that name), and ultimately fight crime by night as a costumed vigilante. The differences, at a glance, are subtle but become apparent in their respective origins. Everyone knows Bat’s origin so we won’t go into it here, unlike whom, Moon Knight was not an orphaned rich kid. Spector was the son of a Rabbi, Marine, heavy weight boxer, and archeologist before becoming the Mercenary-turned-vigilante known as Moon Knight. Also unlike Bats, Moon Knight has some supernatural abilities granted to him by an Egyptian god, Khonshu. Moon Knight was created by celebrate Batman writer Doug Moench (who has one of the most unpronounceable names I’ve encountered in the comics industry; Munch? Moinek?), who, in all fairness, created Moon Knight in 1975 before working on “Detective Comics” in 1983. For the complete long-and-confusing Moon Knight history, click here.

In recent days, and after yet another canceled series, Moon Knight has returned to his own monthly comic and fans are receiving it well. The latest series, “Vengeance of Moon Knight,” written by Gregg Hurwitz and penciled by Jerome Opena, is selling very well, for a Moon Knight title, that is. “Vengeance of Moon Knight” #1 premiered in September and shipped 32,397 issues, making it the 73rd most ordered comic of that month. Issue #2 dropped to the 78th most ordered comic in October and shipped 26,493 issues. Not a terrible drop for a second issue of comic starring a b-list Batman rip-off. Both issues sold out at the printers very quickly and are starting to see higher prices on eBay. Specifically the Alex Ross variant of issue #1 and zombie variant of issue #2.

As usual, the most collectible Moon Knight issue is his first appearance in the pages of “Werewolf By Night” #32. WBN #32 in Near Mint condition currently guides at $170 (OVST), $100 (CPG) and is currently selling for well over $300 on eBay. Last I checked there were copies listed in 8.0 or Very Fine condition selling for much more than $200.

It wasn’t until 1980 that Moon Knight got his own series, written by Doug Moench and penciled by Bill Sienkiewicz, which as of today is vastly under-appreciated. Issue #1 in Near Mint guides for $5 (OVST), $8 (CPG) and isn’t selling for much more than $10.

In 1989 “Marc Specter: Moon Knight” (“Moon Knight” volume 3) premiered to very little fanfare, #1 guides for around $3. This was the first Moon Knight series I remember collecting and falling in love with. There really isn’t much to talk about with volume 3 until the last four issues of the series when artist Stephen Platt took over penciling duties. Platt would go on to make a name for himself drawing the Hulk, and later, “Pitt” for Image comics. Issue #57, Platt’s first issue is fairly sought after and guides for $3.50 (OVST), $10 (CPG) and recently sold for $49 on eBay. Issues #58-#60 guide for $3.50 (OVST) $8 (CPG) and it’s been a while since I’ve seen any online. These issues used to sell for a lot more when the artist was hotter but it’s been a while since we’ve seen any work from Platt.

Keep an eye on Moon Knight back issues. As the latest Moon Knight series continues to sell out expect to see prices on key back issues increasing.

Next week, in honor of the latest Marvel Cosmic Crossover, “Realm of Kings”, I’ll be taking a look at some key issues starring Marvel’s Cosmic Heroes.

————————————–

If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question below in the “comments” section below. Also, you can follow Matt Baum on Twitter, where he’s always screaming about something nerd-related. Thanks to all you new followers and keep the comments coming! Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint to search its database or use its “Ask A Worthologist” feature. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price. And finally, a word to the Federal Trade Commission; all the comics discussed here are purchased solely by the writer, who receives no gifts or free merchandise from any publishers, even though he would graciously accept them.

————————————–

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

– MP, Kempton, PA

ANSWER: I only applied to two universities for my undergraduate work—Lehigh University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I chose Lehigh and, as Robert Frost said in his “The Road not Taken”: “that has made all the difference.” Although dedicated and loyal to Lehigh, I still admit I have the utmost regard for MIT. Hence, I was delighted when I discovered the answer to your question on MIT’s Web site at http://ecg.mit.edu/george/tos/.

The MIT Things of Science home page contains a detailed history of the kits and a complete listing of every kit documented to date. The following is a summary of the historical information:

E. W. Scripps (1854-1926), the newspaper publisher, established the nonprofit Science Service in 1921. The organization’s goal was to provide articles and information about science to the media.

Watson Davis (1896-1967), director of Science Service from 1928 to 1967, was the founding father of the Things of Science program. It was launched in November 1940. Initially, it sent out its science kits as an attention-getter for its story releases. By 1946, the subscriber base was evenly split between individuals, school groups and science clubs.

The initial mailing boxes were brown. The first blue box appears in October 1943. The Science Service obtained the items it put in its kits via donation. As a result, it instituted a 1,000-subscriber limit. Demand was so great the subscriber number was expanded to 5,000 in 1944, 7,000 in 1946, and 12,000 in 1952. The flyer for the 1957 expansion read: “Things of Science: member is sent a different box of unusual ‘Things’ monthly like dinosaur bone, lava, glass fibers, oil—with detailed descriptions, suggested experiments, and museum-type labels. $4 per year. New memberships limited.” Material included in 1960s kits ranged from copper ore and flexible magnets to a polyprophlene hinge and a silkworm’s cocoon.

Science Service ended its production and distribution of Things of Science kits in 1980. Andrew E. Svenson, Jr., the son of a children’s book writer, purchased the company and continued to create new kits until 1989, at which time the right to produce Things of Science kits reverted back to the Science Service. Four hundred and fifty-seven archive boxes of Things of Science records are housed in the Smithsonian as Record Unit 7091.

The exact number of kits produced is open to interpretation. Prior to the 338 kits issued between 1940 and 1968, there were 20 to 22 kits that were not numbered. There was a 25A kit. Kits issued after 1969 were not numbered. In fact, it is difficult to establish a year for some of the kits. The copyright date on the information in a kit is the best dating information.

Things of Science kits appear for sale on eBay and other Internet direct sale Web sites. Kits sell for between $5 and $15. Value considerations include age (earlier kits usually bring a higher price), completeness (many kits had extra parts in addition to the object and booklet), condition and the period mailing box.

—————————————

QUESTION: I have eight-place settings of Holly Hobby china, complete with creamer and sugar, serving platter, large serving bowl, and other accessories. The plates have a silver rim, a Holly Hobby blue band, and a picture of Holly Hobby in the center. I bought the dinnerware while living in California in the early 1970s. I know there were not many full dinnerware services made. What is mine worth today?

– SQ, via e-mail

ANSWER: In your e-mail you referred to your dinnerware as “Holly Hobby.” Every Web search referred me to Holly Hobbie. I am moving forward assuming you have Holly Hobbie dinnerware.

When I lay me down to sleep and pray the Lord my soul to keep, I ask the good Lord to save me from ever having to write about certain collecting categories, for example, Avon bottles, My Little Pony, Bratz dolls, and, of course, Holly Hobbie. The good Lord may grant Garth Brook’s unanswered prayers, but he certainly did not grant mine.

Holly Hobbie is a real person and a fictional character. Denise Holly Ulinskas, who married Douglas Hobbie, authored “Toot and Puddle,” the book that introduced the world to the fictional Holly Hobbie.

Holly Hobbie took off when American Greetings obtained licensing rights in the early 1970s. Rex Connors and Bob Childers, members of American Greeting’s Humorous Planning department, helped create support characters and merchandise. Knickerbocker Toys produced a line of rag dolls in 1974.

Holly Hobbie had a face lift in 2006, supported by a Nick Jr. made-for-TV movie “Holly Hobbie and Friends: Surprise Party.” Mattel issued several Holly Hobbie and friend dolls in the same year, supporting them with separate outfits.

I found several versions of Holly Hobbie dinnerware, but not the pattern you described. It is scarce, or the pattern name is incorrect and I am in the wrong ballpark entirely.

I did find a 20-piece Holly Hobbie dinnerware service in another pattern with an opening bid request of $199 on eBay. There were no bids. Perhaps I need to give eBay buyers more credit than in the past for staying away from a rotten deal when they smell one.

A realistic value for your dinnerware service is between $75 and $100. Finding a buyer should not be difficult. There are worldwide Holly Hobbie collectors. List your dinnerware on eBay. Its clientele are global. Ask for an opening bid of $50 and let it fly. Do not place a hidden reserve. As with all antiques and collectibles, your dinnerware is worth only what someone is willing to pay for it. Place your bet and take your chances.

—————————————

QUESTION: I have an embossed leather Nov. 30, 1905, menu, measuring approximately 3 inches by 5 inches, from the USS Kentucky. The ship was apparently in Norfolk, Va., for Thanksgiving dinner that year. The menu lists coffee and cigars. A great uncle served on the ship. Any information you can provide would be helpful.

– MD, Bowie, TX

ANSWER: Four ships were named after Kentucky, the 15th State in the Union. The first was the CSS Kentucky, a Confederate transport that was captured by the Union’s Mississippi Flotilla in 1863. The USS Kentucky (BB-6) was a Kearsarge class battleship (March 24, 1898-Jan. 23, 1924) that was part of the Great White Fleet. The USS Kentucky (BB-66), an Iowa-class battleship, had her contract cancelled during construction in 1947. Today the USS Kentucky (SSBN-737), an Ohio-class submarine, patrols the worldwide seas.

The USS Kentucky (BB-6) was built by the Newport News and Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company. She was commissioned on Oct. 26, 1900, and set sail on Oct. 25 for the Far East. The ship remained on Asiatic Station duty until she sailed from Manila to return to the United States on March 13, 1904. The USS Kentucky was overhauled in 1904. She then joined the North Atlantic Fleet transporting troops to Cuba in October 1905. She returned to the North Atlantic Fleet in mid-October.

While it is possible that the “Norfolk” on your menu indicates the location where the ship was built, it is more likely the location of the ship on that date. The USS Kentucky joined 16 other battleships on the famous White Fleet cruise around the world from 1907 to 1908. The ship was in and out of the service several times between late 1908 and 1916. The USS Kentucky served as a training ship during World War I. The end came in 1924 when Dravo Construction Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. bought the ship for scrap.

Meals aboard early 20th Century American battleships were often formal affairs. Menus were printed and cigars were served. Officers kept souvenirs from the more important meals.

Your menu appeals to a variety of collectors; for example, USS Kentucky, Great White Fleet, Kentucky commonwealth, menu and cigar collectors. Obviously, some value it higher than others. Assuming your menu is in very good or better condition (a tricky call when leather is involved), its value is between $35 and $45.

—————————————

QUESTION: I have 12 Royal Doulton blue and white Yale University plates dated 1930s on the reverse. Each features a transfer of a different university scene. They are all in good shape except for one that has a chip on the edge. I would like an estimate of what they are worth.

– A G-B, Ripon, WI

ANSWER: Wedgwood manufactured your Yale University plates. Yale was one of dozens of universities to issue commemorative plate series in the 1920s and early 1930s.

The average price for a 1920s-1930s Wedgwood university plate is between $45 and $55. Dealers tend to ask between $70 and $80 per plate, assuming the principal buyer will be an alumnus of that institution who is prepared to pay whatever it takes to acquire the plate.

The chipped plate destroys pair or set value. However, it is more likely that you will obtain more money if the plates are sold separately than as a unit. The unit buyer would expect at minimum 25 percent discount.

—————————————

Rinker Enterprises and Harry L. Rinker are on the Internet. Check out his Web site.

You can listen and participate in “WHATCHA GOT?,” Harry’s antiques-and-collectibles radio call-in show on Sunday mornings between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Eastern Time. It streams live on the Genesis Communications Network.

“Sell, Keep Or Toss? How To Downsize A Home, Settle An Estate, And Appraise Personal Property” (House of Collectibles, an imprint of the Random House Information Group), Harry’s latest book, is available at your favorite bookstore and via Harry’s Web site: http://www.harryrinker.com.

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about collectibles, those mass-produced items from the 20th century. Selected letters will be answered on this site. Harry cannot provide personal answers. Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned. Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5093 Vera Cruz Road, Emmaus, PA 18049. You also can e-mail your questions to harrylrinker@aol.com. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered. Please indicate that these are questions for WorthPoint.

Copyright © Rinker Enterprises, Inc. 2009

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

"Celebrating Peanuts: 60 Years"

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by WorthPoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at trends—good and bad—in the world of comic books from a collector’s point-of-view. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here and he encourages fellow comic nerds to post your comments below.

While standing in my comic shop earlier today I had what could only be described as a moment of clarity while I hefted the “Celebrating Peanuts: 60 Years” hardcover in my arms. And I do mean hefted. The collection is 13-by-10 inches and weighs over five pounds. I love Charles Schultz and wish I could quit one of my jobs to study and write about his work. Ok, full disclosure here; I haven’t read all of his work and don’t even own one of the amazing Complete Peanuts collections printed by Fantagraphics, but I have read enough of his work to understand how important Schultz was to the comics industry. Maybe it’s just my connection to the animated Charlie Brown Christmas special that made my eyes well up while holding this latest Peanuts collection, but I know I need this. And now I’m gazing at my giant book shelf full of other hardcover collections I “needed” in the past and haven’t yet read. It is an addiction and I am an addict.

Below you’ll find my stack of comics for the week of Wednesday Nov. 11. Make sure and post your own weekly stack of comics below so I can make fun of what you’re reading and vice-versa. For a full list of comics shipping this week click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

Action Comics #883
The Anchor #2
Amazing Spider-Man #611
Batman #693
Batman and Robin #6
Batman/Doc Savage Special: 1
B.P.R.D.: 1947 #5 of 5
Cable #20
Daredevil #502
Dark X-Men #1 of 5
DMZ #47
The Flash: Rebirth #5 of 6
Green Lantern Corps #42
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #8 of 8
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 of 5
Red Robin #6
Strange #1 of 4
Supergod #1 of 5
S.W.O.R.D. #1
X-Force #21

Thoughts on the pile:

"The Anchor" #1

“The Amazing Spiderman” #611

"Batman and Doc Savage"

“The Anchor” #1 was a good read and I like supporting a writer like Phil Hester. Not just because he’s a Midwesterner and I’ve met him a few times and I want him to like me. The guy writes good comics and is a heck of an artist to boot.

“The Amazing Spiderman” #611 sees Joe Kelly returning to write Deadpool, who is starring in almost every Marvel title on the rack these days. Kelly’s run on the 90s “Deadpool” series was some of his finest work and a run of comics that I will never part with. Not only am I excited to see him write Deadpool again, but I dig the way he writes Spidey as well, and really enjoyed his four-part “American Son” story line that ran through Amazing Spidey #595-#598.

“Dark X-Men” #1

I was dismayed to find the “Batman and Doc Savage” one-shot gone by the time I got to my comic shop, but am really only morbidly interested in this title. I love Brian Azzarello when he’s writing closer to his crime-noir-Vertigo-roots, but did not enjoy his previous forays into superhero comics. I’ll pick up anything with artwork by Phil Noto, however.

“Strange” #1

Since the cancellation of “Captain Britian and MI 13,” writer Paul Cornell seems to be everywhere, and this week is writing “Dark X-Men” #1. He lost me with his latest “Young Avengers” miniseries, but I still really like the way Cornell writes comics. That, and the nerd-stuck-in-the-90s in me has a soft spot for Dark Beast.

“Strange” #1 is probably my most eagerly awaited title this week. I’m a huge Mark Waid fan and can’t get enough Doctor Strange. It’s about time Marvel spills the beans on what happened to Stephen Strange; specifically, why he’s not the Sorcerer Supreme.

A good week for new comics, all-in-all, but another wallet-smasher, as well. Now I’m introducing a new section I’ll be calling “There Can Be Only One!” wherein I’ll pretend I’m only buying one comic this week. Of course that’s ridiculous, only buying one comic a week. What kind of nerd would I be?

So if I could only choose one title this week, it would be . . .

. . . Supergod. Praying to be saved by a man who can fly will get you killed. From the creator of The Authority and Planetary comes the craziest and most horrifying superhero comic you’ve ever read!

Supergod #1 of 5, Avatar

"Supergod" #1 of 5

Solicitation: In the world of Supergod, superhumans are the ultimate expression of the Messiah complex, and scientists can build Messiahs who will fly down from the skies to save the world. No-one thought about how they’d do it—or even if they’d want to.

So begins the apocalyptic tomorrow of Supergod—the story of how supermen killed us all and ended the world just because we wanted to be rescued by human-shaped things from beyond science itself! Take every superhero comic ever published, shove them into a nuclear-powered blender, soak it in bad vodka and set the whole thing alight—and Supergod will crawl out and eat your brain! By Warren Ellis, Garrie Gastony, Felipe Massafera.

$3.99 US
SEP090628
Written by Warren Ellis; Art by Garrie Gastony.

Why this one? “Supergod” is my first foray into Warren Ellis’ Avatar work and I am very much looking forward to it. It’s a story of Man using technology to create a god to save the world. Anyone who’s ever read Ellis’ work knows how well this situation will turn out for humanity. If you haven’t read his work, you should, and humanity is in real trouble. Creepy sci-fi is my favorite kind, and no one does it better than Ellis. If you haven’t already, I would highly recommend reading his “Ministry of Space” and “Ocean,” both published by Wildstorm and are available in trade-paper-back at comic shops everywhere.

Nerdy Question of the Week:

I’m always trying to figure out why I crave some hardcover collections and not others. It’s not just the source material either. I really don’t know why I want the Criminal hardcover so badly, but really don’t need say, the Hellboy Omnibuses? I have Hellboy tattooed on my body, for crying out loud. So what do you look for in a hardcover? What does it take for you to drop $30-$100 on a collected edition? Help me figure this out. Please!

See ya next time true believers.

————————————

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by WorthPoint comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday, Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here. Also, feel free to post your comments in the new “comments” section below, or you can follow him on Twitter, where he is always screaming about something nerd-related. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your comics in the “Ask A Worthologist” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price. And finally a word to the Federal Trade Commission; all the comics discussed here are purchased solely by the writer, who receives no gifts or free merchandise from any publishers even though he would graciously accept them.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

Batman and Robin #6

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Make sure and click on the active links to learn more about the titles and creators discussed here.

There’s more than 180 comics hitting the new shelves this week at your local comic shop, so be prepared. It’s a huge week for new comics, with the highest-selling title this week probably being “Batman and Robin” #6. Which brings up the question: Why am I not picking the highest-selling titles as my speculator picks of the week? It’s simple, Everyone knows that a title like “Batman and Robin” or “New Avengers” is going to sell upwards of a hundred thousand issues, so these titles get ordered very heavily. Do they sell out at the printers? Sure. However, just because a title sells out at the printers doesn’t mean there aren’t piles of them at comic shops across the U.S. The highest selling comics, for the most part, are the most prevalent comics because everyone buys them. Because everyone is buying them, retailers make sure they have plenty on the stands, so a book like “Batman and Robin” #6 tends to be pretty easy to find. It’s the unexpected sellouts that tend to command the highest prices. Hence, I’m not picking the top selling titles here.

Click here to see a complete list of new comics shipping this Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Speculator Picks of the Week:

This is the part where I use my comic swami powers to peer into the future and pick out three titles that could sell out very quickly. Buy them now at cover price or pay twice as much later.

The Anchor #2: BOOM

The Anchor #2

Solicitation: Heaven’s hulking enforcer is on the hunt for both demon blood and the truth about his origin. His never-ending battle takes him to a wild horse preserve in England, where he must destroy or be destroyed by a hellish, bestial huntsman who feasts on unwitting campers. On a scale of 1 to 10, this comic goes to eleven. Hint to Retailers: Clear racks on either side of The Anchor for the safety of lesser books.

$3.99 US
SEP090680
Written by Phil Hester; Art and Cover by Brian Churilla.

Why it’ll go fast: “The Anchor” #1 was well reviewed and sold out pretty fast, as most popular Boom comics do. A smaller company like Boom tends to print a lot less than the big boys on their titles relying more on sales of second and third-prints. It’s a practice that works for Boom and makes their first-printings harder to find while getting the company some much needed scratch before going to a second printing. Watch for this issue to disappear just as fast as issue #1.

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 of 5

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 of 5

Solicitation: A Realm Of Kings series! Gladiator is emperor of the Shi’Ar! His squadron, the Imperial Guard, is the ultimate law! But what is it like to live and work in this infamous legion as they attempt to keep their empire from disintegrating into the chaos of civil war. One hazardous mission may be the solution that everyone is praying for, but are the opinionated and fractured Guard tough enough—and united enough—to accomplish it? You saw them at the death of Phoenix . . . you’ve seen them battle the Inhumans . . . now it’s time for Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and Kev Walker (Marvel Zombies 3 & 4) to take you inside this fearsome force!

32 PGS
$3.99 US
Written by Andy Lanning, Dan Abnett; Pencils by Avalon Studios, Kev Walker; Inks by Kev Walker.

Why it’ll go fast: We are now seeing the fourth cosmic crossover by Abnett and Lanning, all of which have been great, and a pattern has become more than evident. Here’s how it goes; the initial prologue issues are totally under-ordered and re-ordered until they sell out. The first issue of the actual crossover is over-ordered and in the end, only a couple of the tie-in issues are worth anything. I’m not saying this prologue will be the high-dollar issue when all is said and done. It could be. But it will be under-ordered and demand higher prices in the short term. Maybe . . . This is a “speculation” blog, after all.

S.W.O.R.D. #1: Marvel Comics

S.W.O.R.D. #1

Solicitation: Spinning out of Astonishing X-Men comes a series that will take you places you’ve never been! After Secret Invasion, Agent Brand is no longer the top dog at S.W.O.R.D. Forced to share her leadership post with former Avengers-liaison Henry Gyrich, Brand is less than pleased. Will the arrival of her boyfriend, X-Man Beast, help her out? Not when she discovers Gyrich’s plan for fixing S.W.O.R.D. is to rid Earth of all aliens! Brought to you by Kieron Gillen (Dark Avengers: Ares), Steven Sanders (Five Fists of Science) and topped off with covers by Astonishing X-Men artist John Cassaday! Rated A …

$3.99 US
SEP090475
Written by Kieron Gillen: Pencils by Steven Sanders; Inks by Serge Lapointe; Cover by John Cassaday.

Why it’ll go fast: Buzz is everything in the Internet age of comics and S.W.O.R.D. has plenty of it. The story spins out of Joss Whedon’s “Astonishing X-Men,” which hasn’t been hot since Whedon left the title. I guess “hot” is a relative term. Warren Ellis’ Astonishing sold well until it became bogged down in shipping delays and spin-off two-part miniseries. Regardless, I find it hard to believe that many retailers will order heavily on a comic starring the Beast and the green-haired agent from Whedon’s run.

That’s all for this week but stay tuned for part two of the TCS dynamic duo, Back Issue Market Watch, where I’ll be discussing Marc Spector: Moon Knight. Yes I’ve split the format yet again. I blame my ADHD.

————————————

If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question below in the “comments” section below. Also, you can follow me on Twitter, where I’m always screaming about something nerd-related. Thanks to all my new followers and keep the comments coming! Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint to search its database or use its “Ask A Worthologist” feature. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price. And finally, a word to the Federal Trade Commission; all the comics discussed here are purchased solely by the writer, who receives no gifts or free merchandise from any publishers, even though he would graciously accept them.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

—lyrics from “That’s Entertainment”

Antiques and collectibles are part of the entertainment industry. Many involved in the trade do not view it from this perspective, but it is true. If we do not entertain, we do not have customers. If we do not have customers, we cannot cultivate new collectors and others who buy our product. The entertainment aspect of the antiques and collectibles business is in the spotlight thanks to the Great Recession of 2008-09.

I called Dave Briddle, a partner along with Larry Gottula in the Brass Armadillo antiques malls chain, and asked him to share his insights into what is happening in the antiques mall scene. Brass Armadillo has mega-malls in Denver, Des Moines, Grain Valley (Missouri, just east of Kansas City), Omaha and Phoenix, and operates an outdoor flea market in Texas. Dave indicated that mall space was at near capacity, booths sales were up while case sales were down, and traffic remained steady.

Given the current state of the economy, I expected Dave to tell me that the Brass Armadillo antiques malls were having trouble retaining existing and attracting new dealers. Just the opposite was true. I asked Dave to share his secret.

Dave and Larry are innovators. They view their dealers as customers, equal in importance as the customers who come to their malls to buy. In surveying their dealers, they found that many viewed selling more as a social than money making activity. The dealers valued the camaraderie the mall environment provided. The mall was a form of entertainment.

Dave and Larry acted on what they learned. They organized informal lunch and dinner meetings so dealers could meet and talk with each other. They encouraged spouses to attend. A few specialized groups began meeting on a regular basis.

Educational programs ranging from object identification to marketing techniques were instituted. A free reference library was created, and dealers were encouraged to use it. Dealers appreciated that they had access to reference books outside their major areas of interest. Dealers asked to become more involved in the selling process, especially being in their booth to greet and talk with customers.

Many of the Brass Armadillo antiques mall dealers make only a small monthly profit. A few do not cover their expenses. Yet, they continue to rent. The strong sense of community Dave and Larry have created keeps them entertained.

Sandy Alderfer, owner of Sanford Alderfer Companies, is one of my sources for trends and other developments within the auction community. Alderfer’s conducts weekly auctions. The registered bidder count often exceeds 500. The firm continues to sell well in spite of the economic woes caused by the Great Recession.

Sandy holds his crowd because his auctions are entertaining. “Give me anything to sell, and I’ll entertain the crowd,” he said. The best auctioneers are entertainers. Their chant is melodic and captivating. Their selling pace develops a rhythm and beat that enthralls the bidders. Their down-to-earth jokes and asides keep the bidders attentive.

Auctions are free entertainment. You do not pay an admission fee. You do not have to buy something. However, when the auctioneer is very good, he creates an atmosphere where you want to buy and usually do. Go and enjoy. The food sold at the concession is often homemade; a bonus attendees appreciate.

PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow” is entertainment. Do not be fooled by its educational guise. The appraiser is expected to create suspense during his presentation and the owner to express delight and surprise when the value far exceeds what he expected. If either fails to happen, the appraisal is likely to end up on the cutting room floor.

The 78 episodes of “Collector Inspector” that I hosted for Home and Garden Television were carefully edited and crafted for maximum entertainment value. Every minute of air time represented an hour in a person’s house, during which 10 to 15 minutes of tape was shot. Scenes were re-blocked and repeated to improve the ambiance. Hands (a close up of my hands holding an object), over the shoulder, and object close-ups were done to be edited into the general walk-through shot. Voiceovers and background music were added. I found myself asking “did I really do that” when I saw many of the final edits.

I work hard to make my appraisal clinics, speaking engagements, WHATCHA GOT? radio show and “Rinker on Collectibles” entertaining. I want my listeners and readers to return. I use entertainment to educate. There is a dull, boring, far too serious side to antiques and collectibles and the business—the more this fact is kept secret and hidden, the better off the trade will be.

Antiques and collectibles show promoters use promotional entertainment hooks to attract customers. An appraisal clinic, book signing, identification booth, lecture, repair service such as a glass doctor, and displays are standard fare. I have attended shows that featured live music, costumed dealers, clowns (definitely not the same as costumed dealers) and face painters for children, celebrity signings, and hourly prize drawings. Many promoters are now creating multiple shows in a single venue. F+W Media Inc.—the parent company of KP (Krause) Publications—announced the cancellation of its Spring 2009 Atlantique Show in order to concentrate its efforts on adding an antiques and collectibles show to its Iola (Wis.) Old Car Show held each July. The Das Awkscht Fescht toy show, held the first weekend in August in Macungie, Pa., also is coupled with a major antique and vintage car show.

Auctioneers, mall owners, show promoters, and television producers appreciate entertainment value. Do the dealers? The answer is yes, as long as it does not involve them. They are happy to reap the benefits; just leave them alone.

If the antiques and collectibles trade is going to survive the Great Recession of 2008-09 and prosper in the future, dealers have to become entertainers. They can no longer afford to sit in a chair watching television, reading a book, or eating a snack at the side of their booth. Dealers must learn how to entertain.

It is not a lot to ask nor difficult to do. First, dealers need to display their merchandise attractively and in innovative ways that will catch customers’ attention. A good display entertains. It makes buyers pause and invites them into the booth. Like a fine painting, a strong booth display makes the viewer want to spend time admiring it. Unlike an art museum, the buyer can handle the objects.

Second, dealers need to improve their customer interaction skills. Personal attention is one of the best entertainment opportunities the antiques and collectibles trade offers. The trade is and will continue to be a one-on-one business. It is the dealer who sells the object today, not the object itself. A dealer who is an unentertaining conversationalist loses customers.

It is time to abandon the long-held principle that the antiques and collectibles trade is above entertainment. The traditionalist’s belief that aloofness and seriousness are keys to the industry’s survival is false. We need to show the general public that antiques and collectibles are fun to collect and use. Entertainment plays a critical role in getting that message across.

————————————

Rinker Enterprises and Harry L. Rinker are on the Internet. Check out his Web site: http://www.harryrinker.com

You can listen and participate in “WHATCHA GOT?,” Harry’s antiques-and-collectibles radio call-in show on Sunday mornings between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Eastern Time. It streams live on the Genesis Communications Network.

“SELL, KEEP OR TOSS? HOW TO DOWNSIZE A HOME, SETTLE AN ESTATE, AND APPRAISE PERSONAL PROPERTY” (House of Collectibles, an imprint of the Random House Information Group), Harry’s latest book, is available at your favorite bookstore and via Harry’s Web site.

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about collectibles, those mass-produced items from the 20th century. Selected letters will be answered on this site. Harry cannot provide personal answers. Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned. Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5093 Vera Cruz Road, Emmaus, PA 18049. You also can e-mail your questions to harrylrinker@aol.com. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered. Please indicate that these are questions for WorthPoint.

Copyright © Rinker Enterprises, Inc. 2009

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

– CDZ, West Hartford, CT, via e-mail

ANSWER: I did a Google search and found information about Venus Paradise coloring sets. Try “Venus Paradise color by number sets.”

Venus Paradise coloring sets were a pencil version of paint by number. Caitlin posted “Paint by Number & Venus Paradise” on Feb. 3, 2009 on the Web site Jiffy Pop Culture. The article notes:

“Another memorable art set from the 1960s was the Venus Paradise Coloring Set. Although these were market[ed] mostly for children, these sets utilized colored pencils and it was easy to learn various colored pencil techniques. The outline artwork was numbered and the colored pencils needed for the illustration were included in the set. These were vibrantly colored, rich media pencils, that would be considered a cross between the hard Berol pencils and the softer Prismacolor pencils, although Venus Paradise colored pencils were hard enough to sharpen to a sharp point without crumbling….”

Subject matter covered a wide range of images—American Indian scenes, animals, landscapes, outer space and scuba diving. The initial cost was $1 per set. The unit price rose slowly over time. Venus Paradise was still in business in 1996. An Internet seller is offering a 1996 Gumby and Pokey Venus Paradise coloring set for $14.95 plus shipping. An eBay seller has a 1982 Smurf set listed at a “best offer” price of $35.

There are several reasons you are not finding sets available. First, the market is small. Once a person has bought an example, he/she leaves the market. You are planning to do this. Second, there is no collectors’ market. The paint by number set collecting craze has passed. Third, when discovered, their low secondary market value encourages finders to discard them. Venus Paradise coloring sets cannot pass the “who cares” test.

Venus Paradise coloring sets that are offered for sale have crossover value. They appeal to the specialized theme collector more than the paint by number collector.

Persistence counts. Keep watching eBay. In a month or two, you will find an example with a theme that pleases you at a price you are willing to pay.

————————————–

QUESTION: I have a collection of “Down Beat” magazines that date between 1943 and 1945. They are in good to very good condition. Covers include black and white photographs of Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Dinah Shore. I also have a few issues of “Band Leader” from that same time period, one of which features a color head and shoulder portrait of Glenn Miller. What are they worth?

– MB, Bethlehem, PA

ANSWER: “Down Beat” is alive and well. It started life with a jazz focus and then shifted its coverage to swing, followed by “bop, pop, rock, freedom, fusion and nineties neoclassicism, all from the perspective of the musician.” – downbeat.com.

Albert J. Lipschultz, an insurance salesman by trade, launched “Down Beat” in July 1934. The initial eight-page issue cost 10 cents. The company was headquartered on the eighth floor of the Woods Theater building on the corner of Clark and Dearborn in Chicago. Lipschultz sold his interest to Glenn Burrs in November 1934 when James C. Petrillo, president of Local 10 of the American Federation of Musicians, told Lipschultz he could sell either insurance or magazines to his union members but not both.

“About Down Beat: A History As Rich As Jazz Itself” on downbeat.com notes: “Down Beat covers were a mixture of celebrated musicians and anonymous models. Photos of sexy models in bathing suits and tight sweaters and aspiring starlets adorned every second or third cover…When a top bandleader was featured, it was often at the cost of considerable personal dignity…With rare exceptions, a picture on Down Beat’s cover had absolutely nothing to do with anything inside the magazine, save for a brief identifying caption in a small inside box. From July 1936 through 1952 Down Beat published about 375 covers, and fewer than 145 featured any important jazz figures. Woody Herman holds the cover record in those years with 11. Jimmy Dorsey and Duke Ellington are tied at second with 10 each…

Initially published monthly, it went to a twice a month (first and fifteen) schedule in 1939. In January 1946 the magazine went bi-weekly. It returned to a monthly magazine in April 1979.

The Down Beat Web site contains a detailed history of the magazine. My attempt to find a history of “Band Leader” met with failure.

The secondary market retail value of your “Down Beat” magazines varies from $3 to $4 for issues with swimsuit model covers to $15 to $20 for issues with Hall of Fame musician covers. Most will be collected for their cover illustration, even though there is little to no follow-up inside. An inside article, especially a photo spread of a well-known band, can impact value. Although not as well known as “Down Beat,” 1940s “Band Leader” covers featured cover art of leading swing band leaders and singers. Values range from $10 to $20 per issue. Add a 25-percent premium to both when a cover features a black artist.

“Down Beat” and “Band Leader” magazines appear regularly for sale on eBay and other Internet auction sites. They also can be found at paper advertising, book, and ephemera shows.

————————————–

QUESTION: I recently acquired an original signed watercolor by Milton C. Weiler titled “Up the Inlet.” It is triple matted and framed. The inside measurements, mat edge to mat edge, are 16 inches by 9 inches. The back is covered in plain brown paper with a calling card in a clear pocket that reads: “The Sportsman’s Gallery / Of Art and Books, Inc. / 7 East 55th St. / New York, 22, New York.” What is it worth?

– MP, Bethlehem, PA

ANSWER: Milton C. Weiler (1910-1974) is a famous sporting artist. His studio was located in Garden City, Long Island. His friends included Paul Brown and Lynn Bogue Hunt, other famous sporting artists. Weiler, along with his sons Bud and Dale, had a lifelong interest in fly fishing, wing shooting and outdoor activities.

Weiler’s work is collected and appears for sale at auctions and galleries on a regular basis. I found two copies of “Up the Inlet” offered for sale, one at $2,000 and a second at best offer above $3,000. Auction estimates for comparable works are between $2,000 and $3,000.

However, as is often the case these days, auction listings either failed to sell or realized less than the low estimate. The secondary market retail value for your watercolor is between $650 and $750, and a tough sell even at these prices.

————————————–

QUESTION: Many years ago I purchased a National Cash Register brass cash register made for Pepsi Cola. I contacted National Cash Register trying to find out more information about it. When I gave them the serial number, they informed me that they had no records of the machine. When you lift up the breast plate, there are number dials that track the number of gallons sold as well as the moneys spent. There are two separate cash drawers. While the outside of the cash register looks new or fully restored, the inside of the drawers and the mechanism show signs of heavy use. What is the value of my cash register?

– LS, Bethlehem, PA

ANSWER: The antiques and collectibles business is not always a good news business. This is one of those times. Your cash register is a fantasy piece, an example that did not exist historically. Technically, it is a fake, deliberately made to deceive. It was sold initially for what it was, a fact that became lost as it passed through the hands of subsequent sellers.

I called Allan Petretti (Nostalgia Publication, PO Box 4175, River Edge, NJ 07661; nostpubl@aol.com), a good friend and author of prices guides to Coca-Cola and soda pop collectibles. Allan informed me that a gentleman in Chicago in the period between 1979 and 1983-84 had phony cash register front (breast) and top plates made for Coca-Cola and Pepsi. He purchased period cash registers and replaced the existing front and top plates with his fantasy plates.

Time is the enemy when identifying reproductions (exact copies), copycats (stylistic copies), fantasies and fakes. When these items first enter the market, word spreads among auctioneers, collectors, dealers and others. Since there are no reproduction-fake databanks, time slowly irradiates the information. Thirty years have passed. Individuals 50 or younger are probably unaware that these items are not correct.

The good news is that the balance of the cash register’s body and the interior mechanism are period. Hence, your cash register’s value is based on what a similar National Cash Register brass cash register from the same time would realize, in this instance between $300 and $350.

You now face an ethical dilemma. If you offer your fake Pepsi cash register for sale on eBay or in another venue and do not provide its history, an unsuspecting buyer will assume it is a period piece and may pay an inflated price. I am certain you paid far more than $350. Consider the price difference as tuition, part of the cost of learning the antiques and collectibles business. Sell your mistake honestly. Do not send it back into the trade so it becomes the next owner’s problem.

————————————–

Rinker Enterprises and Harry L. Rinker are on the Internet. Check out his Web site: http://www.harryrinker.com

You can listen and participate in “WHATCHA GOT?,” Harry’s antiques-and-collectibles radio call-in show on Sunday mornings between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Eastern Time. It streams live on the Genesis Communications Network.

“Sell, Keep Or Toss? How To Downsize A Home, Settle An Estate, And Appraise Personal Property” (House of Collectibles, an imprint of the Random House Information Group), Harry’s latest book, is available at your favorite bookstore and via Harry’s Web site.

Harry L. Rinker welcomes questions from readers about collectibles, those mass-produced items from the 20th century. Selected letters will be answered on this site. Harry cannot provide personal answers. Photos and other material submitted cannot be returned. Send your questions to: Rinker on Collectibles, 5093 Vera Cruz Road, Emmaus, PA 18049. You also can e-mail your questions to harrylrinker@aol.com. Only e-mails containing a full name and mailing address will be considered. Please indicate that these are questions for WorthPoint.

Copyright © Rinker Enterprises, Inc. 2009

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

Some molds can be toxic, so it is important to wear the appropriate protection, including gloves and a proper respirator or dust mask.

The rash of devastating hurricanes in the southeast United States over the last few years has created a potentially dangerous situation for collectors and institutions now salvaging mold and mildew covered artwork and antique items from flood-affected areas. Mold should be treated very carefully.

Your first priority should be to protect yourself against any health and safety issues associated with exposures to dangerous mold. There are different types of mold. Some pose little or no hazards to humans while others can be toxic. The dangerous molds such as Stachybotrys or Chaetomium can cause serious illnesses. I would suggest that any visible mold should be considered a danger that requires immediate attention and safe handling.

Stachybotrys is a greenish black mold that grows on material with a high cellulose content, including building materials such as wood, drywall, wallpaper, insulation backing, cardboard boxes and fiberboard. This mold requires very wet and humid conditions for days or weeks in order to grow.

Chaetomium is a common fungal species that is frequently found on deteriorating wood products and often emits a stale, musty odor. Chaetomium colonies are fast growing and start off white in color. As they mature the colonies become gray to olive-green in color.

In most situations, surface mold can be removed from artwork using a vacuum cleaner that does not exhaust the spores back into the room. A vacuum fitted with the proper filtration system is recommended.

Mold removal and treatment should usually be performed by trained mold remediation professionals. When inspecting or retrieving salvageable possessions from a flooded building it is important to wear the proper personal protective equipment. Use a respirator/dust mask that has a NIOSH rating of N-95 or higher. The mask must fit and be worn properly. Wear disposable latex gloves and coveralls, as well as goggles for eye protection. Limit the time spent in areas where mold levels are high to 15 minute intervals.

Under no circumstances should chlorine bleach be used to clean the surface of any work of art, frame, photograph, document or other antique items. An experienced art conservator should be consulted for assistance in dealing with mold-affected materials. In most situations, surface mold can be removed from artwork using a vacuum cleaner that does not exhaust the spores back into the room. A vacuum fitted with the proper HEPA filtration system is recommended. Special attachment micro-tools, speed controls and screens are used by conservators when vacuuming to prevent damage to the art.

After the surface is cleaned of visible mold, the item is subjected to controlled ultraviolet light. Tests are then conducted from surface samples to verify that mold is no longer present. After cleaning, items should be placed in a clean and protected environment with low humidity.

Mold Removal Tips:

• Wear proper protective equipment
• Never use chlorine bleach
• Vacuum using HEPA Filters
• Expose to controlled UV light
• Place items in low humidity
• Consult experienced professionals

— by Douglas Eisele

Old World Restoration

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.

New Mutants

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by WorthPoint Comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at trends—good and bad—in the world of comic books from a collector’s point-of-view. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here and he encourages fellow comic nerds to post your comments below.

As you may already know This Week in Geek is changing, yet again. I’m going to save the speculation, business and comic auction news for my other blog on WorthPoint, “The Comic Speculator.” TWIG will be a post-Wednesday-comic-shop visit blog where I’ll be discussing the comics I’m buying/collecting some that I had to pass on. Make sure and post your own weekly stack of comics below.

It’s been two weeks and still no sign of “New Mutants” #6. Anyone else out there waiting for this one? Much like the recent issue of “X-Necrosha,” and “Invincible,” due to shipping errors and allocations by Diamond Comics, many retailers did not receive their shipment of New Mutants. This happens all the time and usually the comics show up the next week. This time, however, all three titles are pretty hot and before replacements could ship, the comics sold out at the printers. In a situation like this there’s nothing the supplier can do to get the retailer the comics. At least first-prints anyway. Leaving collector’s like me searching for issues and talkin’ much smack about Diamond.

Below, you’ll find my stack of comics for the week of Wednesday, Nov. 4. Make sure and post your own weekly stack of comics below so I can make fun of what you’re reading and vice-versa. For a full list of comics shipping this week click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

My Stack:

Amazing Spider-Man #610
Assault On New Olympus: Prologue
Astonishing X-Men #32
Buffy the Vampire Slayer #30
Captain America: Reborn #4 of 6
Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural #2
Doom Patrol #4
House of Mystery #19
Immortal Weapons #4 of 5
Nova #31
Secret Six #15
Superman: World of New Krypton #9 of 12
Witchfinder: In The Service of Angels #5 of 5
X-Men vs. Agents of Atlas #2 of 2

Assault on New Olympus

Astonishing X-Men

Doctor Voodoo

Thoughts on the stack: “Incredible Hercules” writers Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente have been writing some of the best and most fun silver-age-inspired superhero comics I’ve read since Bob Layton was writing the Prince of Power. “Assault on New Olympus” builds on a long running Herc storyline isn’t going to get press that the “Dark Reign” crossover is receiving which is to bad because but it’s going to be worth a read.

“Astonishing X-Men” has made it back into my monthly reading mainly on the talent of artist Phil Jimenez, who is channeling George Perez better than he ever has. I love Jimenez’s pencils and even Ellis’ story line is better than the previous “Ghost Boxes” story. I’m a big Ellis fan, but a bad shipping schedule mixed with some confusing one-shots made Ghost Boxes really hard to follow.

“Doctor Voodoo: Avenger of the Supernatural” #1 was Marvel Magik at its best. I’m really excited for this title, and with a team like Rick Remender writing and Jefte Paolo and Marko Djurdjevic sharing art duties, it’s safe to say there isn’t a better young creative team on a Marvel title at present. If you can find issue #1 it’s definitely worth your time and money.

Doom Patrol

Secret Six

X-Men vs. Agents of Atlas

“Doom Patrol” has me teetering. I had a discussion with a fellow collector and friend recently about the “snarkyness” of Keith Giffen’s Doom Patrol. Like said friend, I’ve decided to stay on through the “Blackest Night” tie-in, but in all honesty it’s hard for me to care about any incarnation of the Doom Patrol, and it’s not even Giffen’s fault. I love Kieth Giffen. Years of different characterizations and shifted continuity have left me indifferent. I just don’t think I care about the Doom Patrol in a starring role. Well see after reading this issue.

“Secret Six” is the meanest, nastiest super villain comic on the market and I love it. This is the comic Marvel’s “Thunderbolts” wishes it could be. It’s good to see Bane being well written for the first time in years. Thank you Gail Simone and keep it coming.

“X-Men vs. Agents of Atlas” is a desperate bid to get readers to check out the regular Agents title. Let’s call it what it is. That said, it’s excellent and you should be reading both this and the regular Atlas title. Jeff Parker writes GREAT comics that you should be reading. Comics that aren’t even that expensive I might add. Agents of Atlas #1-#11 are selling for less than $20 and you need them. So go and buy. Now. If Agents gets cancelled you are all in trouble.

Nerdy Question of the Week:

A preview for the upcoming Marvel title SWORD hit the net this week and it looks to be fun. But like all comic news, there was a fight to be had. And when I say “fight,” I mean “debate.” Apparently Hank McCoy—the X-Men’s Beast—is going to guest-star in the title. No, that’s not the problem. The problem is, during his tenure on New X-Men in 2001, Grant Morrison introduced the concept of secondary mutation, which led to our beloved “Oh my stars and garters” blue-furry-beast mutating into something that looked like Vincent from Beauty and the Beast. Here’s the question: Which do you prefer? New Beast or Old blue-Beast or even-older Nude-Beast (“nude” only in the sense that he wasn’t hairy).

See ya next time true believers!

————————————-

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by WorthPoint comic book Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday, Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story-lines and creators discussed here. Also, feel free to post your comments in the new “comments” section below, or you can follow him on Twitter, where he is always screaming about something nerd-related. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your comics in the “Ask A Worthologist” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price. And finally a word to the Federal Trade Commission; all the comics discussed here are purchased solely by the writer, who receives no gifts or free merchandise from any publishers even though he would graciously accept them.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Join WorthPoint on Twitter and Facebook.