Comic Book Collecting

I know, the title is a little…odd, but it will all make sense in a bit – so stick
with me.

I received an e-mail from an avid comic book collector a couple of months
ago in which this collector explained to me that he had near complete runs
of Avengers, Captain America, Hulk, Weird War, and a couple of others.

Who wouldn’t want a collection like that?

He went on and said that he keeps them in mylar sleeves and prefers them
raw and unslabbed – meaning he doesn’t grade his comic books. Hey, that’s
great, more power to him.

For you collectors out there, whether you want to grade your comic books
or keep them raw, such as this collector, is a personal decision. If you like
to pick your comics up, smell them, flip through them (although do it gently)
and/or admire them then grading your books is going to make you crazy.

On the other hand, I know collectors that have “reader copies” and they slab
a high grade copy of the same comic and keep it safe and sound in a storage
comic box (hopefully in an air conditioned room or, even better, a basement
with a dehumidifier).

Sorry about the rabbit trail – back to the topic at hand.

Well, this collector realized that pressing and cleaning will improve the
appearance of his comics as well as the grade of them – but there was one
caveat to this whole e-mail that he sent me…

He wanted me to show him how to do it himself, as a favor, from
one comic book collector to another!

Of course, he guaranteed he would not turn around and compete with me
doing this service. Now, this guy seemed genuine in his request but his
request was off target.

Just because you have a hobby that is the same as someone else and they
know or have a niche/specialty in that hobby, does not mean that person is
going to share their trade secrets with you – just because!

Plus, it’s not like I’ve known this collector since my childhood.

Pressing and cleaning comic books is something I enjoy doing for fellow
collectors, and yes, it does cost to do it – because it works to improve the
appearance of your comics and increases its grade.

What I do to improve the appearance and grade of comic books is a trade
secret – and for now will stay under wraps. One day, when I don’t want to do
it anymore, I may teach others how.

One last thing he came back and asked me was “Can you tell me how you
learned to prep comic books?” (I have to admit, the guys persistent).

My reply:

“That will remain secret as well, but all I can say is that I
“stumbled” upon it.”

I received No more e-mails after that reply.

I didn’t explain all this to bad mouth this collector or to ridicule him, but to
make a point that some things are best kept secret because it’s a source of
income and livelyhood for those that provide it.

What would you do if someone out of the blue e-mailed you and asked you
to share your trade secrets or knowledge of something that not many people
know about?

Would there be a price that was high enough for you to divulge your trade
secret?

Let me know your thoughts and opinions on this subject by leaving a
comment on this post. In the words of Stan Lee, “Nuff’ Said”.

Patrick Whitson

Tags:   prepping comic books · Stays a Secret3 Comments