I was sixteen, maybe seventeen when I asked my father for $300.00 to purchase a Near Mint copy of Daredevil #1. There was some profanity before the final word of "NO". The book was one of two that I was truly interested in. I was a more consciousness collector and started to purchase the back issues, the Frank Miller Daredevil issues helped bring upon this renascence of the hobby. I've always wanted a first appearance of a silver age created character and my copy of Iron Man #1 was not one of them.
My second choice was an equally beautiful copy of Amazing Spider-Man #129. Even though the book wasn't a silver age book it did meet the criteria of a major first appearance, in this case the Punisher. And the price was more reasonably affordable for my allowance, part time job, and whatever I was given in trade.
Before my father said "NO", I asked Dane, the proprietor of ComiCards if he could hold them for me. He made sure to stress there was a lot of interest in those two books but since I was a loyal customer he would give me a week. I had hoped with a loan from my father I would be able to afford both of them, but now it could only be the one.
I brought my copy of Iron Man #1 along with a few other books I had I was willing to trade in, my Tales of Suspense #97 was turned down. I received a total credit of $80.00 for everything he wanted and another twenty thrown down and I became the proud owner of a very beautiful book. I couldn't wait to get it home to read.
The back issues on the wall, which is where this one was placed were kept in, were safely secured in a Mylar bag. The hole in the top of the bag allowed me to place this comic book on my wall. At school no one knew I collected comic books but the select few who made it into my inner sanctum knew of my addiction. Before placing it on the wall with my "Longshot" series I shed the book from the sleeve, read it, and with equal caution placed it back into its protective casing.
Over the years I read it a few times and even taken the time to grade it. The first time I graded I didn't have much experience. I looked over the book carefully examining the front and back cover while ignoring the insides. I was unaware they counted. I wrote in a spiral book my full collection and marked next to the title the grade I thought it should be. My educated guess was a 9.4.
It would be years later before CGC started and even more years before I accepted them and decided to trust them with my Amazing Spider-Man #129. At Wizard World 2008 I turned it over to CGC, it came back the same day, graded a 9.2 with white pages. I wanted to question them, to find out more, but I was still enclosed in my own shell. I let the grade stand. I brought it home, joined the registry and never added any of my books.
Eventually CGC had a signing for Stan Lee. I opted for this possible once in a lifetime event and debated on what I could send in compared to what I should send in. There was so much, but I could only afford to send four. Out of what I did choose, my Amazing Spider-Man was the cream of the crop. I was overjoyed that this time they graded the book what I thought it should have been all along, although I was perplexed how the page color changed from "white" to "white to off-white". At that time though it was only one of two graded In a 9.4 Signature Series..
Another two years passed and I had the opportunity to add another great to the cover, this time by John Romita. I was relieved when the book was graded the same. I am sure there are a few more double signatures out there and after researching a bit I found one on eBay. Its asking price was set at $2500. Although it didn't sell right away, it did sell.
After learning more about the way CGC grades and immersing myself more into the aspect of third party grading I decided to see what others would say about my Amazing Spider-Man #129. I took it to Matt Nelson of Classics Incorporated which was newly acquired by CGC. There was a flaw I originally missed that he pointed out to me. He thought the imperfection that I missed would be pressed right out. He looked it over and felt positive that the book would reach a 9.6.
I received word via e-mail yesterday; on December 7th my book was graded. I just have to wait till I get the book in my hands but Matt did indeed come through on his predictions and the book will be returned to me as a 9.6. But after reading this long journal entry I ask you do I add another signature to the mix. Gerry Conway will be at the Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, Washington and I would love for him to add his signature to the likes of Stan Lee and John Romita. Would it stay a 9.6? Would the book drop to a 9.4? It's a gamble and I have a couple months to decide, but I wonder if this was your book, what would you do?
Thanks for Reading
Tnerb
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