Is it possible to get a comic-loving, multi-pierced and tattooed guy to blush? Oh, yeah, and we did it!
It happened at our Labor Day Auction! More on “how” later.
Overall, I would call our first auction in quite a while a big success! Only 4 people put in absentee bids and the turn-out on a major holiday seemed rather sparse in the beginning, making me a little nervous, but things changed. We were to start the live bidding at 1:00 PM, but due to late sign-ups and the casual atmosphere of the day, we didn’t actually start until around 1:25. As I predicted, the actual auction of 200 plus items only lasted about an hour and a half and we finished up just before 3:00.
Attending auctions for me is always a learning experience. Even if I don’t win anything, I pick up info that I can use later. One thing we learned from this past one is to not put up so many short runs and sets the next time. And, there WILL be a next time. Out of the 100 lots in the “B” group (see a previous blog for the lists), only 30 sold, and there was little active bidding – usually, the high bidder was the person who opened the bidding with the minimum. The only exceptions were for a nice run of the 2003 series of Silver Surfer that brought $26 and the Handbook of the Marvel Universe set and the Fireside Origins & Sons of Origins set (tough to find) had several bidders. The ones that DID sell in the “B” group were: 1,4,5,6,7,15,21,22,24,31,35,38,39,48,50,53,55,57,59,61,64,65,70,74,84,86,94,97,98,& 99.
We jumped around from group to group to keep things interesting. The items in the albums (“A”s) and cases (“C”s) received the most action. Surprisingly, the 1 in 200 variants, did not sell, except for the Green Lantern, which the Z-Man was not about to lose. Perhaps the fact that we did not have them in hand discouraged people, but these had sold for considerably more than our $100 opening bid on eBay already? The Action Comics #1 did arrive this past week and Joe let it go to a customer for only $100. The Justice League #1, its RRP version, the Batman #1, and others are coming. If you are truly interested, make sure Joe knows NOW! We will put you on the waiting list. Rarer than any of these were the 5 unique, one-of-a-kind, “Captain Blue Hen Comics” variants that we had. Three sold. The first line inside the front cover has the name of the shop in its salutation. Marvel only made one of each, and there are two remaining in the showcase. A consignor brought in Giant Size X-Men #1, X-men #94, X-men #8, & X-Men #1 (the original from 1963!) and the first 3 did sell. There were a couple of bidders who almost pulled the trigger, and may still do so. If you have interest, we can get you in contact with the owner. It’s a solid G/VG and he wants a very reasonable amount for it. In the “A” group, the following lots sold: 6*,10,13,16,17*,19,21,25,26,30*,33,34*,35*,37,38,39,40,43,43,44,47*,48*,49*,50,51*,52,53*. * brought MORE than the minimum required to open bidding
The “C” group seemed to bring the most interest as it was filled with a number of unusual items. Oh, what about the blushing bidder? Yes, the item was in the “C” group. Guess which one! One of our bidders – let’s call him “Nathan” – came behind the counter when all the bidding was over to claim one of his lots. “Nathan” not only was calling his friend about what and how high to go on some items, but was accompanied by an attractive young lady. We had a line down the counter waiting to pay for their items as “Nathan” grabbed the set of 5 N-SYNC marionettes for all to see! Yes, his face was beet red! Not only did “Nathan” open the bidding for these, but when bumped, he raised his bid to get’em!
Most of the “C” lots sold, and some for way over the asking minimum. Not wanting to end the auction with the Hitler stamps, Joe elected to push them up in the order. Each set of 4 stamps went for $27 and 4 different bidders grabbed a set – one person took two. The high ticket baseball cards did not go (though the others did) and surprisingly, the Mama’s Boy action figure did not, either. However, most of the art, posters, and statues sold. An absentee bidder put in what he figured was a killer opening bid for the Captain Blue Hen Batman clock – the minimum was only 5 bucks, but he wanted to start at FIFTY! he was bumped by another CBH fan (maybe a Batman fan, also) and it was knocked down for $60!
Besides the auction, there were various sales throughout the store and people took advantage. I noticed one thing about our crowd that I have seen in other auctions with a basic theme – politeness and a sense of kinship. I have heard several auctioneers say “There are no friends at an auction.”, but it seemed that here and when I go to our local coin club auctions, people who all have the same interest act with a little more courtesy toward others than at general auctions.
Anyway, – Good auction, let’s Go Eat!
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