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Why eBay is so cool.

A poster in this forum sent a link to an interesting item on eBay right now. A mint, unrestored copy of Amazing Fantasy 15, the 1962 comic in which Spider-man made his first appearance. What is interesting is not just the fact that this is one of the rarest comics in human history – the seller seems to be a believer in fair play, in his own words, and refuses to end the auction even though people have made flat offers ( someone made an offer of 20000$ and he refused!) And on top of that, he has volunteered to pay 15% of the winnings to the HERO initiative, a benefit for retired comic book creators.

Check out the eBay item here, and the answers to all the questions the seller has been asked so far here.

And since I remembered this just in time – you need to have an eBay account to read a seller’s answers, here is the complete listing of Q&A behind a cut. Read it bottom to top.

Question & Answer Answered On
Q: We will pay you $20,000 right now if you end this auction and sell to us. Please accept this serious offer. ~ Nick
Dec-05-06
A: I am sorry, but I’ve already established fair game, fair play. Feel free to bid, and best of luck!
Q: Hello there, I am just reading more questions from other Ebayersand I noticed that you mentioned an English Bulldog for $2500 for yourgrandchild, amazing that I am aksing for the same thing from my fianceand it’s the same price, always wanted one, so best of luck on yourend!! I am sorry I missed this auction in the beginning, what was thebuy it now price, I would have snatched it up right there, THE BOOKLOOKS AMAZING, NO PUN INTENDED!! Take care!!
Dec-05-06
A: Hi again – the one she wants is one that looksexactly like the dog from the book Zelda’s Wisdoms. I don’t know whereto begin to even look. As for the auction, I put up a tongue-in-cheekbuy it now for $55,000 which was what a comic price guide was stating.Apparently, that number is just a drop in the bucket for some of theWatchers on this auction. Best of luck on finding your puppy.
Q: Good Sir,I am your current high bidder, but I know it is not for long. Asridiculous as it sounds, I placed my bid because it is as close as Iwill ever get to owning a comic like this. The story behind the comicis at least as interesting as the comic itself and definitely adds tothe comics value. You also sound like a pretty interesting guy based onyour posted email responses in the auction. In the end you are right itis just a comic, but wow what a comic it is! I hope you and your granddaughter get the christmas you are hoping for. If nothing else, my bidwill help to up the bids a little bit more toward that dog she wants. Ihave a 2 year old son who will be getting a good Christmas this yeartoo.Good Luck to youChris
Dec-05-06
A: Hi Chris- as you can imagine, having a child andnow a grand child is the best gift that no Christmas present could everequate to. I hope that someone finds this comic book useful and I hopeit will help them teach their children and their children’s children toremain as curious and fascinated in their adulthood as they are askids. Best wishes to you and your son.
Q: my 2nd question to you is if someone offered you $2500 at walgreens would you have taken the offer and sold that person the book?????? thanks I am very curious…..jerry
Dec-05-06
A: Yes. All I want for my grand daughter is an English Bulldog, and I believe it costs about that much for a good one locally.
Q: Hello there and I have read all of the questions, all the great collectors have posted and also all of your responses. I just have to say that it is an amazing feat that you will not end the auction and sell it to the gentleman, whom offered to fly you to his offices. This book is a PIECE OF HISTORY a cgc 9.4 copy of AF #15 sold on PEDIGREE COMICS for $150.000 dollars. This is the first appearance and origin of SPIDERMAN and never has an unslabbed af #15 been offered in this shape and pedigree. Lets say the book recieved a grade of 9.6 or 9.8…I believe a cgc 9.8 copy would sell for $750.000 to 1 million dollars! My advice to you is to end the auction and fly to Sarasota Florida and grade the book and enjoy the wealth you will gain from auctioning the book slabbed at a 9.6 grade. The auction may end at 15,000 to 20,000 but it has a potential value of over $250,000…thanks and good luck either way…jerry
Dec-05-06
A: Hi Jerry, thanks for insightful comment. SarasotaFlorida does sound nice this time of year. A million dollars does soundnice too. But, as I’ve stated, I’m a fair player, and if this listingnets at least 20,000, then The Hero Initiative will be receiving $3000and more. If the winner of this listing eventually (and apparentlyinevitably) does go out and sell it for a million dollars, I do hopethat he or she will continue to pay it forward, play fair, and most ofall be generous.
Q: Hello, how do you know this is the missing White Mountain pedigree? Merry Christmas!!!
Dec-05-06
A: Hi Jim, Merry Christmas to you as well. I don’tknow if it is or isn’t, and hopefully I’ve made it clear that I am notadvertising this book at all as that, and I am not remotely qualifiedto even start talking about pedigrees, as I’m learning as I respond toquestions from all kinds of people.
Q: 2 real quick questions…1)how long have you had thisbook?…..2)are you sure there is no restoration work?…and that wouldprobably depend on how lond you have owned this book….
Dec-05-06
A: Hello there- Sorry for the delay in responding, youcan imagine I am swamped with questions! I have owned the book sincethe early 90s and kept it in storage since now. I don’t know of how itwas handled by the family in NH before I had purchased it except thatit is in the exact same condition now as how I acquired it. Ipersonally have not had it restored, just tucked away since I’m not aSpider Man fan. I am purely going by what a comic antiquer hadconferred when she looked at it. That’s why I started this listing atthe price I purchased it. So to answer your question, its life beforemy acquisition of it is a mystery to me. I hope that helps. Goodquestion and good luck bidding!
Q: I really want this item. Do you accept a layaway or payment plan with a reasonable deposit??
Dec-05-06
A: Hi, thank you for your interest. I’m a reasonableperson, so I understand that if this listing goes through the roof,then a payment plan would be useful. I first have to say that whenlisting this item, I did not anticipate such an overwhelming andpositive response, in fact I thought the auction would end at under$5,000. Payment plans and layaway plans are tricky since there wouldneed to be some sort of legal oversight and enforcement should thewinning buyer later decide that they no longer want the item and stoppaying, which would then be a tremendous setback for me. I think thatoffering a payment plan would have had to have been established fromthe beginning for it to have been fair to potential bidders who mayhave been turned off at the idea of having to pay a large lump sum. Butlike any seller, I am very wary about people who may drop the ball andcut and run, then I’d hate to bring in all the legal nasties. I thinkthat a layaway plan – may – be worked out on a case by case basis, butmy belief is that there will always people who are willing to pay infull at the point of purchase. Please contact me about a payment planbefore you bid, not after you win!
Q: Hi- I noticed that skaramanga00seven has zero rating. Why is that bid not already removed?
Dec-05-06
A: Hello there – you have a very good eye for detail.Although skaramanga00seven has not yet sent me a message, otherpotential buyers have already sent me messages of what they are willingto bid, which happen to be a bit significantly higher than the currentbid, so I am not worried. However, I do appreciate the courtesy ofthose with less than 5 points who have messaged me with their interestin bidding. I am a very accomodating person, all I ask is that a bidderbe courteous to the seller and to their fellow bidders. Thank you.
Q: If I win this item, can you send it directly to CGC or PGX to have it graded?
Dec-05-06
A: Thank you for bidding Mark. The winning buyer ofthe book can do whatever he or she would like to do with it.Personally, I would like to be free to flip through it, however, thatdecision is entirely up to the new owner on his or her own dime. Thankyou.
Q: Hi did you get a chance to read the article I sent you aboutpedigreed comics? That should a good primer on White Mountain,Winnepeg, Big Apple, etc. Sean McKinley/Vertigo
Dec-05-06
A: Thank you Sean for the guide. I did not know whatpedigrees were, or that there were significant collections much lessbar-nones for collecting. As I’ve said earlier, I don’t know if thiscopy is a pedigree or if it is associated with the White Mountaincollection. Right now, that is just speculation by the watchers, Ipersonally am leaving it at that. Thank you for the interest and happyholidays.
Q: I am curious to know how many buyers are watching?? Do you own any Winnepegs or Big Apples? Matt N.
Dec-05-06
A: Hello Matt. Currently there are 273 Watchers. I amnot familiar with those breeds, but I have had a Chesapeake Bayretriever. My grand daughter wants an English Bulldog for Christmas.Hopefully, these auctions will let me give her one. Thanks for lookingand happy holidays.
Q: Hi Is this really THE original lost copy of Fantasy? I thought that was just a myth.
Dec-05-06
A: Hi, thanks for looking. Gathering from what otherwatchers and potential buyers are saying, it could be a possibility,but I’m not making any claims at all to that. I’ve responded in anotherquestion about how I came to possess the book, and I’m offering theitem as is in the condition I received it and for the original pricethat I paid for it. Other than that, I make no claim. If it is whatbuyers are speculating it is, then someone is going to be very happythis Christmas. Good luck on your bid!
Q: Hi there. I’ve been watching your past auctions with interest. Whatare your thoughts of having them professionally certified by CGC? Jim
Dec-05-06
A: Thanks for the interest Jim. I think that CGCoffers a great preservation service to hobbyists who are willing to gothe extra mile to keep their books fresh and well-guarded. I personallylike the idea of being able to thumb through and marvel at golden agesand silver ages, which is what I feel the hobby is really about:fascination. This copy probably would be worth more if it were gradedby GCG, but then again, if you were the winning buyer, wouldn’t youwant to be able to actually touch your win? It’s a great feeling beingable to actually show the next generation and their kids what a comicbook looks like. So to answer your question Jim I think GCG offers agood service. Good luck on your bid and Merry Christmas.
Q: Hello friend I only have one question: how did you keep it preserved all these years?Allan
Dec-04-06
A: Hi Allan. It was pressed between two cookie sheets,two glass panes from a picture frame, then sealed all around with blackelectrical tape, wrapped in black cloth and placed in a trunk. That’show I preserved books and maps back then. I still do it because itworks.
Q: I am very familiar with the story of this pedigree. Only two copiesof AF 15 were in the original White Mountain set but one remainedungraded and was sold at an estate auction by accident by an owner’strustees. The other copy had previously been sold for 150,000. Yourcopy will be worth at minimum double that amount. Please e-mail me asmy company would like to acquire it. We are interested in flying youand the item to our Dallas office to see the item. I have sent you ane-mail with the details. Your response is greatly requested.
Dec-04-06
A: Hi E.J. – I am sorry, I’ve made it firm that thisitem will remain as a true auction. Please play fair, and bid like theothers. I had a buy-it-now option at the beginning of the listing,however it was not utilized, and so true bidding was enabled whensomeone placed a bid. Best of luck in your bidding.
Q: Thank u for the detailed history on how you got this gem. Forreference, ‘White Mountain’ is not a location in Colorodo but acollection in New England… a really important one. If what urecounted is true, then you, sir, are in possession of probably themost important find in comic hobbying history. Your grandkids arecertainly going to have a merry christmas. Please message me to discusssetting up a sale of this comic outside of eBay if u are interested.V/R, Chuck
Dec-04-06
A: Hello Chuck, and thank you for the reference onWhite Mountain. I did not realize until now that White Mountain wasactually in New Hampshire and was under my nose. I tried researching onGoogle the term White Mountain Collection but all I came up with werelinks to gas logs. Perhaps you can help educate me more on thiscollection. As I’ve said, I am not a Spider Man guru, and I’ve onlycollected comics for fun, so I don’t know much about importantcollections or whatnot. I’m sorry I cannot set up an outside sale. I’ma fair player, so everyone should get a shot at a bid. Thanks forlooking and good luck bidding!
Q: Hello. This is an incredible item that you are offering. What’s the story behind it and why are you offering it so cheap? Scott
Dec-04-06
A: Hi Scott- thanks for looking. I had purchased thisissue from a gentleman whose family ran a small sports hobby andcollectibles shop in Somersworth, New Hampshire. I was in NH forbusiness, and the gentleman was lamenting how his business was goingaway and how his family was having a hard time keeping the doors openas more people had become less interested in shopping in hobby shops,and so the store was nearing foreclosure. I was interested incollecting Civil War memorbilia of the 54th Regiment at the time, andhaving had hard times myself in the past, I related to the gentlemanand offered to pay more than his asking price for several uniformbuttons I wanted to purchase. He said he would not accept any more thanthe fair value for the items being sold, and would not accept donationin kind. He added however, that he was willing to offer to sell me anitem at the price equivalent to what I would have added to the originalsale. The item he was offering was Amazing Fantasy 15. As I’vementioned before, I was unknowledgeable about Amazing Fantasy or SpiderMan at the least. I understood where the gentleman’s pride was comingfrom, this having been his business and all. It was his way ofupholding his dignity while still being able to pay the mortgage.Gathering from what the gentleman had told me, this issue had come froma lot of books that had been sent for grading. Somehow this particularcopy never made it to the graders and ended up in an estate sale andwas bought by another gentleman, and when that owner passed away, hiswife brought it to the hobby shop in exchange for a vintage mirror.According to the gentleman, this particular book was the only ungradedbook that came from White Mountain, which I assume is somewhere likeColorodo or Vermont. So, I paid the gentleman $2000 for the book, whichwas what I would have given him extra for the buttons, and had storedit since. In all fairness, that’s why I started the bid for this itemat $2000. Thanks.
Q: Hello. I’ve been watching your auctions with interest. I would beinterested in a scan of the Marvel Comics #1 you will be auctioningsoon. I’m a 100% feedback ebayer so no worries there. Also, ebay is agreat place to auction, but a more specialized service like HeritageAuctions (whom I’m not affiliated with), typically will get you muchmore return on these books, especially high grade Goldenage books foradvanced collectors. If you really want to maximize and get more fordonations, that Marvel #1 in the condition you claim would realize morethan $200K and graded as claimed would be even more in this market! Iwould look into it. Just a thought for your grandkids. Comics aren’tlife, but you have some unique stuff that sure can help out in life tocome. Merry Christmas. Dane.
Dec-04-06
A: Hi Dane- Thanks for message and interest, and Iapologize for the delay in replying. As you can imagine, I’ve beenresponding to quite a few messages regarding this comic (over a hundrednow). I will have the MC#1 comic scanned soon, hopefully moreprofessionally than Walgreens (esp. if it’ll be worth more than $200k).The current scanner seems to have a brown tinge on the glass, and Idefinitely don’t want MC#1 or any comic to be picking up all kinds ofpublic nasties. As far as auction houses are concerned, I feel that ifthe big machines want to get their hand in the pot, then averagehobbyists should also be able to do so. I’d allow this platform to bean even battlefield, fair and square in a no-hold no-bribe no-buy trueauction. I’ve always rooted for the underdog, and as a personal way ofsticking it to the man, I want every person who has a love for comicsto be able to have the opportunity to participate. Until then, I’ll tryto get through this particular auction. Best of bidding!

And oh, by the way? The guy who posted the link to the forum was Scott Williams. Yes, this Scott Williams.

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9 thoughts on “Why eBay is so cool.”

  1. Anonymous says:

    Don’t you think that this auction, allowed to run it’s natural course, could very well end at a price much higher than $20,000? What’s so great/cool about the auctioner rejecting the $20,000 offer? I don’t get it.

    That he has volunteered away 15% of the winnings is of course commendable.

    Reply

    • What’s cool is this: The seller started it at 2000$, and eBay does not really guarantee that an item will sell for X amount. For all you know, it could end at 10000 ( I am guessing it won’t, right now, because of all the attention it seems to be getting). In quite a lot of auctions, the seller just takes the easy way out – if he gets a large sum of money ( 10 times of the opening amount is huge, don’t you think so? ) he might very well end the auction. This happened with a Sandman # 8 page a couple of weeks ago, the seller ended it within half an hour of the auction when he got an offer of 3000$. People on the forum were later lamenting about how they would have gone up to twice that amount had they been given the chance to bid.

      Reply

    • When someone suggested it, he said something about wanting the buyer to be able to thumb through the comic.

      A lot of people in the forum I frequent think that there is more to this auction than meets the eye. Vague inconsistencies etc. Just hope it’s not an elaborate fraud or anything…

      Reply

    • Amazing Fantasy #15 is very low on my priority list right now, I am afraid. Besides, the listing has already ended at 20,655$.

      I just calculated how much time it would take me to pay 20,655$ with 250$ monthly time payments. I am glad I didn’t bid.

      Reply

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