All-Negro Comics #1 1947 Gold Age, African-American Possibly the Finest Copy of This Scarce Comic to Exist! Start Price USD 9,000.00 Current Price USD 9,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, July 17, 2008 End Time Sunday, July 27, 2008 Location Grand Rapids, Michigan See more about 'All-Negro Comics #1 1947 Gold Age, African-American' Description All-Negro Comics #1 1947 Gold Age, African-American All-Negro Comics #1 (All-Negro Comics, 1947) For purchase is the virtually unobtainable All-Negro Comics #1.  This one-shot's back cover promised features on Ace Harlem, Sugarfoot, and Snakeoil in the following issue, which, sadly, was never published.  In fact, not many of this issue -- a 15-cent rarity -- were published.  Gerber gives the book a scarce rating of "very rare," meaning that only six to ten copies are estimated to still be in existence.  To further enhance the allure, Overstreet advises the book is "seldom found in fine or mint condition; many copies have brown pages." This comic up for bid had been unseen since the late- 1940s to the early-1950s, for until last week it had been stored within a group of magazines from that era that had also gone untouched.  In fact, I'm the only person to see this particular comic in more than 50 years!  Needless to say, this comic is an original with no touchups/restorations/etc.  This is quite possibly (probably) the only opportunity to buy this scarce collectible comic! Condition/Details:  I'm a book dealer, and not a professional comic grader, and I've done my best using the Overstreet grading standards to provide a fair and accurate grade for this comic.  One thing for certain is that this might be the finest known example of this comic.  I'm grading this one as high as a 9.0 Very Fine/Near Mint (VF/NM) to as low as 8.0 Very Fine (VF).  Sorry about the wide range, but I simply don't have the experience to give a firm grade to this particular comic, and I encourage all potential bidders to see multiple photos provided in order to make an informed decision.  As for whether or not it's a "pedigree" comic, please see photos and judge for yourself, because I barely understand the term.  There is no serious/major wear -- perhaps the most serious imperfection is a relatively light amount of soiling/staining/tanning on the back cover (moreso near lower border).  The covers are slightly cocked (notice how the bottom of the page block is visible below the front cover at lower righthand border).  Colors on covers and throughout are sharp and bright.  Pages are off-white or lightly tanned.  No tears except for a less than 1/8" nip at the lower border of the front cover (below the boy running with the bow and arrow), an area of rubbing wear at the lower border of the last page (see second photo w/pencil), and 2-3 small pinholes at the bottom border of approximately 12 pages (these are minor -- see first photo with pencil...the holes are in the general vicinity of the lead).  There is a very small, light stain or smudge at the bottom border of a few pages (minor -- can be seen in a couple of photos of page spreads provided).  Covers are flat with relatively little surface wear.  One defect that appears to be natural is a light 1-7/8" horizontal crease (or similar) at the bottom of the "RO" in the word "NEGRO" on front cover.  Corners are square and sharp with little or no blunting.  No writing or marks, arrival dates, etc.  Spine is tight and flat; staples are generally centered and seem to be pushed in slightly showing relatively light wear of paper at staple ends on cover spine.  There are only a few light stress lines at spine.  No interior tears except for the aforementioned pinholes.  The last photo shows this comic after all of the other photos were taken, sealed with an acid-free board and with both light and heavy-duty mylar protection.  Overall, in great condition -- perhaps the finest copy known to exist. Compare this copy up for bid to this Very Fine- (VF-) (7.5) copy that sold for $10,062 in 2002: http://comics.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=805&Lot_No=5133#Photo Compare this copy up for bid to this Fine+ (F+) (6.5) copy that sold for $8,280 in 2004: http://comics.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=811&Lot_No=6060 Visit my eBay store for a wide selection of quality great books and music priced to sell! This comic book comes from a non-smoking home. Please e-mail me with any questions or comments that you may have. See my feedback and bid with confidence! All items packaged carefully and shipped promptly following receipt of payment. PAYMENT (Within U.S.): I accept money order, personal check, U.S. bank-to-bank wire transfers and certified cashier's checks.  Please allow 7-10 business days for personal checks to clear.  Will be shipped Priority Mail with full value insurance and delivery confirmation.  I may prefer to ship via USPS registered mail or another secure shipping method, at my expense.  Payment should be received within five business days of auction completion date.  Please ask me any questions that you may have. INSURANCE is included with purchase.  Shipping/handling is included with purchase. RETURNS: If not as described, I will refund the original purchase price for items returned in their original condition within 7 business days of delivery. Prior notification of impending returns must be made within three days after buyer receives item.  Place a Bid!