Even a small collection of comic books can hold substantial worth if they are the correct titles and editions. Most collections begin because of interest, whether in childhood or adolescence. Then over time, the evolution depends on the consumer’s purchasing means and lifestyle. You know if you have put a lot of money and time into your collection, and this is one of the contributing factors in accessing their worth.
It would be a shame to give your comics away without knowing that you’re sitting on hundreds of dollars. Some comic books are given as gifts, especially if the receiver is a known comic book fanatic, but if the fan loses interest they can end up buried with underestimated worth. Also always be wary if you do take your comic books in for appraisal, sometimes a comic is not worth much, but even if it is, there are some buyers who will try to trick those they do not think to know the value.
Assess these certain qualities of your comic books to understand their potential value. Understand that the condition and edition can play a part in value, and there are ways to access help from others knowledgeable in comic books.
1. Edition
An edition is one of the key factors in putting a value on your comic books. Editions that are more valuable usually feature a new character or a big plot point. When the value is tied to edition, it means that particular edition is a marking point in history for a character or the comic book company. So, knowing the history outside of the book is important.
Keep in mind a comic book that is part of a collector’s edition may be harder to sell without the accompanying parts because the story is incomplete and harder to find individually. Finding a comic book price guide can help substantially when researching all the editions that are rare and sought after.
2.Year
Be sure to check the year on a comic even if it boasts that it is 1st Edition. You may find that it is actually a reprint of a first edition comic, which could diminish the value. This occurs often at comic book companies when a comic becomes unexpectedly popular, so they have to produce more copies to be sold at a later date. The first print of a comic will be more valuable than the second run of the same story. This can also happen with Anniversary Editions, which may have additional value and rarity.
Another reason year may come into play is that some collectors may be interested in a particular artist that only worked at whichever company for a limited time. Certain things pertaining to the year may not be stated in the book, but still increase its value, because of events surrounding its release in history.
3.Rarity
Some comic books are only sold in limited editions. This is so their rarity is almost guaranteed and, in return, makes them valuable. Many times this will go hand in hand with first edition comics because people did not know it would be profitable to buy them, so not many were printed or sold.
Comic books that did not make many issues due to unpopular characters or plots can even be treasured by some collectors solely because there are so few out there. Anything that was pulled from shelves is something to look for because it will likely have an interesting history that makes it valuable.
4.Condition
How you’ve cared for your comic books can be vital in their pricing. Any damage will decrease the price you can sell it for. Even something as simple as touching or turning the pages can affect its value. Comic book appraisers have to be specially trained so they can tell the history of your comic book without dealing any damage during the examination.
The condition can be more or less important to some independent collectors though and it will depend on what type of collector they are. Some collectors want to display their comics, so they will want the most pristine copy possible, but others who just want to enjoy it themselves may only need it to be readable.
5.Online Marketplaces
On the internet, there are various places for resale such as eBay or Amazon. See if there are any listings that match your comic book exactly. This can give you an example of what others are selling it for or you can read more here on how to take steps in selling your comic books yourselves.
Some big name comic books are obviously valuable to any collector, but certain less popular comics may only be extremely valuable to one die-hard fan and online marketplaces are a good way to find that person. The web is a vast marketplace that reaches many more potential buyers willing to pay more than those found at your garage sale.
6. Visit Comic Shops
Comic shop employees are usually well versed in the world of comics and know what they are looking at. However, not everyone is an expert, but they can at least point you in the right direction.
Keep in mind if you plan on selling to a shop their goal is to resell it for a higher price. Do not let people attempt to downplay the value of your comic book. It may be easier to sell this way but you may not get as much as you would by going straight to the collector.
Sentimental Importance
Remember that just because there is a high offer on the table, it does not mean you have to sell your prized possessions. There is a reason these buyers are willing to spend so much on certain comics themselves. Consider their worth to you in comparison of what you will be using the profit for. Many comics only increase in value over time and if you are going to sell, be sure you won’t want to buy it back.
The Value of Your Comic Books
It can be easy to overlook a childhood collection of comics, but within that dusty box could be more money than you’d expect. Every comic book varies in value from buyer to buyer and the place you decide to sell your comic book could make the difference. The value of doing your own research on each comic beforehand cannot be understated. Use all of the tips presented to decide if selling your comics is a viable option.
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