Discoveries in the Attic

Beyondthebreach · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:02 am Post subject: Discoveries in the Attic

Some of you may have seen this story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071010/ap_on_en_ot/batman_comic_4

Detective 27 dates back to around 1938 and this story is really fascinating to me . . . it's amazing how collectible treasures are "unearthed" and discovered at the oddest of times and strangest places.

You can't really trust the reliability of these "yahoo" internet stories sometimes . . . like when they include the line: "Experts estimate there are between 20 and a few hundred copies in existence." What expert gave that "specific" estimate? Laughing

That means possibly 150 or so "undiscovered" copies?

Anyway, it further demonstrates that a lot of the best high grade collectible itmems out there were originally owned by people who didnit like/want it to begin with. It gets put aside, forgotten about and years later . . .

I wonder how much that comic store owner offered? I guarantee that it was far, far less than what the person would have gotten once they had it CGCed . . . even after Heritage took their seller fees.
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"Ah, Blackadder. Started talking to yourself, I see."

"Yes . . . it's the only way I can be assured of intelligent conversation."

scribe · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:14 am Post subject:

I noticed he was talking about keeping a poker face when the original owner walked in with it.
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Beyondthebreach · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:15 am Post subject:

Isn't there some sort of law (or legal precedent . . . whatever) that "experts" in a field can not provide false information or misleading values of collectible items?

So, if someone finds a Detective 27 and they ask me what it's worth and I want to buy it, I can say whatever I want . . .

But a comic store owner (and I think multiple stores for many years) should be considered an expert, right? I'm not saying he ripped the person off, but if he did, they could potentially sue . . . I think . . .
_________________
"Ah, Blackadder. Started talking to yourself, I see."

"Yes . . . it's the only way I can be assured of intelligent conversation."

Mars · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:18 am Post subject:

There is probably some sort of fraud lawsuit that could be filed after the fact. The situation seems parallel to someone bringing in a diamond necklace to a jewelry store and the jeweler saying it is just paste and worthless.

Although the one thing that a comic book dealer has going for him is that the information about the comic value is readily available to anyone - just buy a copy of overstreet guide to get the value.