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Captain America Comics #20 most likely a 0.5... a few questions...14438

Collector BuffJake09 private msg quote post Address this user
Hi all,

I found a wartime Cap issue that I've had interest in for a while as I've been keeping a list of potential issues I could acquire. Obviously on first glance it is pretty beat up but... as I am not necessarily buying a book strictly for it's condition, it doesn't bother me as much. It features a great Syd Shores wartime cover of Cap socking it to our Axis foes and a scene that's not to shabby with bright colors and the characters seemingly coming through the page. I know that Schomburg covers are the way that others have advised me to go but this one seems like it could hold it's own based on the subject matter alone.

I was also told that it would most likely grade at a 0.5 due to the damage and detached cover but the limit is 1.5. Potential grade aside, if I were I to buy this I would most likely get it graded and encapsulated strictly for protection, preservation and authenticity.

My question is what would you pin on this as far as a fair value range or price? I know comics are jumping and as a college student the price seems high but I feel that at some point I may just have to jump off into the deep end and pull the trigger as I have missed out on a few good issues and deals already by waiting.

Also, I noticed some penciled letters on the "M" in the "Captain America" title on the cover, silly question but could that be a pedigree? I started reading into them and thought they were interesting and the writing on this issue looked curious.

Thanks so much. Any help and knowledge is always greatly appreciated!

Jake

Post 1 IP   flag post
Collector Darkseid_of_town private msg quote post Address this user
Most although not all by any means, pedigree books tend to be in much higher grade, although there are definitely a few exceptions
Post 2 IP   flag post
Collector BuffJake09 private msg quote post Address this user
I assumed that was the case. I was really just curious in regards to the pedigree. I guess you never know!
Post 3 IP   flag post
If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
Setting a price for older books like this can be tough.

One of the usual go-to sites for comic prices, gocollect, doesn't list a price if there aren't enough recent sales. That's the case for your book https://comics.gocollect.com/guide/view/109151 . You could pay for a membership so that you can see what sales they do have, but you might not want to do that if you don't plan on using it much. There are some other subscription sites out there (GPA is one) but they would have the same issue with not being free.

On the free side, looking at sold listings on eBay would be the way to get 'market value' prices. That again assumes that there have been recent sales, and you'd have to wade through eBay's search results. You could find an online store that has it and see what they're asking, but it might be hard to find that particular book. Stores, especially if selling something for a commission, sometimes ask more than is reasonable anyway.

If it were me I would sort through all those options as best I could and piece a number together. If you don't feel very confident, try doing the same for other similar issues (maybe you can find a little info on Cap 18, 19, 21, 22, etc. as long as they aren't notably different from 20 somehow) and assume the price is similar.

And if all else fails, haggle with your budget instead of the book value. "I have X to spend, what can I get?" Obviously only do that if you trust the person you're dealing with to not rip you off.
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I live in RI and Rhode Islanders eat chili with beans. esaravo private msg quote post Address this user
@BuffJake09 - According to Go Collect (I have a paid membership), the lowest graded copy sold of this issue that they have a record for is a CGC 1.5 with off-white pages (plus spine completely split and attached to the comic with tape) that sold on October 21, 2018 for $564 through a Heritage auction. For comparison, I found 4 sales of issue #27 in 0.5 grade during 2020 with prices ranging from $720 to $975. Not sure if that helps you out, and remember these are all sales for slabbed books.
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Secret Moderator MatterEaterLad private msg quote post Address this user
If the back cover looks like the front and no pages are missing I'm guessing a 1.0

I don't think 1.5 is possible. There was an Action 7 with a detached cover, completely split, and it got a 1.5, but the cover was in great shape.

It would be unfortunate if this book got a .5 because there are books missing the entire back cover and a centerfold that grade at .5 and this CAP 20 is substantially better than a book like that.

There will be quite a bit of variance in the value. I think it would be a steal at $500. What's the seller asking? I'm guessing more like $1000-1500.

As far as that M -- google the Nova Scotia Pedigree. Those books have an M on the cover but it looks different than the markings on this book.
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Collector BuffJake09 private msg quote post Address this user
Thanks for all the opinions so far! They are very much appreciated! The seller is asking $650 but I would be much more comfortable at $500 as that is kind of my limit. A 1.0 would be great!
Post 7 IP   flag post
I live in RI and Rhode Islanders eat chili with beans. esaravo private msg quote post Address this user
@BuffJake09 - That price seems pretty reasonable, especially if the back cover and rest of the book are mostly intact. You can always make an offer of $500, but it might take more than that to make this one happen. Good luck!
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SpongeBob Comics #1 sells for $991! Joosh private msg quote post Address this user




Here’s what GoCollect has, not much and no 0.5’s.
Post 9 IP   flag post
Captain Corrector CaptainCanuck private msg quote post Address this user
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Here’s an issue #40 that sold for $549. Seller listed it at a GD- (1.8).

clickable text
Post 10 IP   flag post
Collector BuffJake09 private msg quote post Address this user
Looks like the Human Torch got a hold of the top edge on that one lol. All kidding aside, that's an amazing piece of history! Fits the bill for what I'm looking for too.
Post 11 IP   flag post
Collector jokioo private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by BuffJake09
Looks like the Human Torch got a hold of the top edge on that one lol. All kidding aside, that's an amazing piece of history! Fits the bill for what I'm looking for too.


What's good Jake! Welcome to the forum
Post 12 IP   flag post
Collector BuffJake09 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by jokioo
Quote:
Originally Posted by BuffJake09
Looks like the Human Torch got a hold of the top edge on that one lol. All kidding aside, that's an amazing piece of history! Fits the bill for what I'm looking for too.


What's good Jake! Welcome to the forum


@jokioo Happy to be here!
Post 13 IP   flag post
Collector BuffJake09 private msg quote post Address this user
I appreciate everyone’s input thus far, it is greatly appreciated. Obviously no one knows what the future holds for comics but I am curious if for $650 this comic is a decent investment or a risk? I’m not necessarily buying to make a profit, however it would be nice to know I’m not getting something that will find it’s price cut in half later down the road. Should I have to, I’d at least like to recoup the $650 that this comic may require, whether it be next year or 20+ years in the future. I’m leaning towards yes, it will command a higher price in the far off future but may possibly drop if I am looking into the near future. Any opinions are most welcomed!
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Joined The Club Steverogers11 private msg quote post Address this user
Well 20 years down the road u def will make a profit
Post 15 IP   flag post
Collector CatCovers private msg quote post Address this user
Yep. Golden Age books don’t drop in price.
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