Pedigree and provenance discussion thread (post’em if you got’em)11383

Originally Posted by esaravo
@GAC - File copy refers to comics that were put aside for the publishers (and sometimes artists and others) and not distributed to the public. For example, you might have heard about the Gaines file copies of EC comics from the 1950’s. Gaines put aside and carefully stored several copies of most of the issues he published. Years later his family had them graded resulting in some, if not all, of the highest graded known copies of those issues. Dell, Harvey, and some other publishers are known to have done similar things.

Originally Posted by CatmanAmerica
Quote:

Originally Posted by esaravo
@GAC - File copy refers to comics that were put aside for the publishers (and sometimes artists and others) and not distributed to the public. For example, you might have heard about the Gaines file copies of EC comics from the 1950’s. Gaines put aside and carefully stored several copies of most of the issues he published. Years later his family had them graded resulting in some, if not all, of the highest graded known copies of those issues. Dell, Harvey, and some other publishers are known to have done similar things.

Excellent description. The only addition I’d make is to break this down further into those “others” who received NFS file copies. Besides management ...which would often include “pay copies” as part of record keeping... there were often copies sent to those in the production end including writers of note and those who were somehow involved in investment or control of the company.

For instance, Lloyd Jacquett was involved with Timely long after Motion Picture Funnies Weekly. Copies of Sub-Mariner with Lloyd’s name stamped on the cover were provided by Timely. Another example, the Edgar Rice Burroughs estate had a stack of Daredevil Battles Hitler first issues (mostly high grade with dust shadows and average PQ). None of the DBH books are officially considered file copies, but it is presumed that they were part of some business involvement with publisher Lev Gleason. BTW, they do appear to be uniquely identifiable.

Are there other examples? Probably, but identifying file copies can be difficult as they often fall below the usual pedigree standards in one respect or another (such as grade, numbers and PQ quality). In fact, many file copies have stamped names and office markings or some form of damage from staple holes to improper storage. This extends to trimming and hardcover binding (publisher’s libraries) which complicates overall grading.

Sorry ‘bout the info-dump, too much coffee this morning.