On Friday, August 27, 2010, members of The Comic Book Collecting Association (CBCA) and its guests, including noted comic book artists John K. Snyder III (Doctor Mid-Nite) and Matt Wagner (Grendel), visited the Library of Congress for an up close viewing of the original art for Amazing Fantasy #15 as well of some of the over 125,000 comic books in the Library’s collection.
The art was anonymously donated in 2008 and includes all 24 pages of the complete August 1962 book which is most famously known for the Stan Lee-Steve Ditko origin of Spider-Man. Many of the comics in the collection, which includes such notables as Detective Comics #1, Captain America Comics #1, Sensation Comics #1, Green Lantern #1, All Star Comics #8, Amazing Spider-Man #1 and Showcase #22, are what is known as “Copyright Deposit Copies” and were submitted at the time of publication by the publisher to register the copyright for that particular book.
Each issue therefore usually bears the imprint of the Library’s Serial Division to reflect registration. Other copies have been donated over the years in order to fill the gaps in the Library’s collection. Occasionally a “Copyright Deposit Copy” is available on the open market having been culled from the collection either through an excess sale years ago or theft.
Additional information on viewing the Library’s collection and the original art in particular can be found on their site.
The visit to the Library was just one of many CBCA events that have taken place or of the type planned to promote the organization’s founding principles of Fellowship, Education and Ethics. The CBCA is a nonprofit international organization made up of comic book enthusiasts who share an appreciation for the history, artistic merit, and significance of the comic book medium as an important element of popular culture. Thus, not only are comic books themselves the subject of focus but also their history, the artwork and artistry and related memorabilia. The organization offers many exciting and new educational programs to the broad collecting community through its web site, message board, Comic Book Quarterly newsletter, seminars at conventions and many other initiatives.
The CBCA is modeled after prominent organizations from other hobby communities. A Code of Ethics was adopted that is patterned after industry best practices while being tailored to the hobby of comic collecting. The complete Code can be read at www.comiccollecting.org/page/code-of-ethics.
Annual membership is $20.00 and numerous perks are provided that more than cover the cost. Additional information, including an application, can be found at www.comiccollecting.org.
