Sunday, May 19, 2024
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Bob Barret was born in the 1950s in Pasadena, California, where he lived
until he left for college. Since childhood, he's had a fascination with comic
characters. Collecting MAD opened the door to collecting other EC titles.
Collecting comics in general evolved into collecting Big Little Books, pulps and
paperback books, and now to a wide variety of premiums and other toys. Scoop
talked with this experienced collector to get his insights on the present
market, collecting across many different categories, and what keeps him
interested.
When did you begin to collect comics?
I remember reading comics with other kids in the neighborhood and inheriting some from my uncle. One of my dad's friends gave me and my brother an Army footlocker packed with his own World War II era comics. These were a real eye opener seeing characters such as the Flash and Green Lantern in their first incarnations as well as characters such as the Spectre, Capt. America and the Justice Society. These were big issues and very unlike their Silver Age counterparts that I was familiar with.
What was the first comic book you remember buying?
The first comics I bought were mostly DC Comics. No real standouts as I liked most of them but I did look forward to the Adventure issues with Bizarro world stories and the war books like Sgt. Rock. I also liked Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. I still wasn't really "collecting" at the time. The one that probably turned the tide wasn't really even a comic book but MAD #76.
What were the circumstances (where, when, etc)?
I was visiting my grandparents. My grandfather and I were at the drug store. I had talked him into a few comics and then the cover of MAD #76 jumped out at me. It was a quarter at the time (same as more than 2 regular comic books). I read it cover to cover several times. I have kept buying it month after month and have not missed an issue to date.
How long from the time you first bought a comic book until you considered yourself a collector?
At this time I was not actively searching out back issues. I did trade with kids in the neighborhood (especially for MADs). When I got the paperback book Inside MAD (with all the little cover reproductions on the cover), it occurred to me that MAD might have been different in its earlier issues. The first issue I paid more than cover price for was MAD #9. My dad had taken me to Hollywood with him one day. While he was doing his business, he left me off at Cherokee Books with some spending money. This store as well as Collector's Book Store and Bond Street Books were all within walking distance and all carried vintage comics. In the back of Cherokee Books, up a wooden winding staircase (with comics tacked up on the walls, were more old comics than I had ever seen in one place! I pulled MAD #9 off the wall and Burt Blum sold me this issue for $2.00 and inflicted me forever with the collecting bug.
What were your early favorites?
While searching out MADs, I discovered they were published by EC Publications. Soon, in addition to MAD I was looking out for Tales from the Crypt, Weird Science, Crime SuspenStories as well as any other comic that carried the EC logo. I would also pick-up other weird pre-code titles of all kinds when I ran across them. I even bought some early Golden Age books such as the ones I had received in the footlocker. I liked the Timely books and loved the Spectre in More Fun. I still have the More Fun #52 that I shelled out the huge sum at the time of $25. At Collector's Bookstore. That was it. I was a confirmed collector.
How did your collecting develop from that point?
I started attending small one-day shows in the LA area. Often, when I couldn't afford the high priced EC's ($2 to $5 each), I would buy whole boxes of pre-code horror, crime and jungle girl titles considered junk at the time for $10-$20 a box. These were usually on the floor under the table. My Teenage Dope Slaves and Reform School Girl came from these boxes as well as Phantom Lady and other Fox titles. I discovered lots of EC artists as well as others in these books. I started going to flea markets, garage sales, auctions and advertising in the local paper for old comics. This brought me lots of books at real affordable prices. I then discovered Rocket's Blast-Comic Collector and the world of mail order. I ordered catalogs from Howard Rogofsky, Robert Bell and others. I also discovered I could unload my unwanted comics by trading with other collectors around the country. Comics weren't really graded at the time so you really never knew what "good" condition really meant. It didn't really matter all that much to me because I was getting lots of stuff I couldn't get locally.
Did you have other collecting habits, too? If so, what?
At this time I really only collected comic books. But, as time went buy, I found Big Little Books, Pulps and Paperback books finding their way into my ever-growing collection. Word of mouth was also a great way to get stuff. People would actually give you this stuff if you showed an interest. I remember getting a large 1930s pulp collection destined for the trash by just asking. There were no price guides or news stories so this stuff had no real value to the non-collector. I realized long ago that I would never be able to get complete runs of most of these titles. I decided to go after the key issues, origins and great covers. The fun thing after all these years is to discover something that I've never seen before. Odds are that after 35 years or so collecting, if I haven't seen it it's pretty scarce. Rarity is much more important to me than condition. I have passed on things due to condition and never had the chance to get another one. I would much rather have a reading copy that never to have the item at all.
You collect radio premiums and toys. How did you begin to collect them?
My first old toy purchase was a 1947 Flash Gordon tin litho Spaceport that I got at the Rose Bowl Flea market in the early 1970s. That was 30 years ago, and to this day, it's the only one I've ever seen. The colors and graphics just jumped out at me. Soon, I was also looking for other old vintage character and space toys. Color and graphics as well as wind-up and battery operated toys are still my favorite. They also cross over into the comic book medium. I got into Radio Premiums by buying a large original owner collection most in original mailers at an estate sale. They sparked my interest because of their clever design and cross over into the world of comics.
You collect a wide variety of premiums and toys. Are there any specific areas that interest you more then others?
As far as toys go, I buy things that are bright and colorful and visually interesting. I mostly collect comic characters but also have a lot of nice old cars, trucks, motorcycles and airplanes in my collection. 95% of my collection is pre-1960s. Premium wise, for a while I was buying everything I could find. I've pretty much narrowed it down to comic book and adventure heroes. A special interest of mine is comic book and pulp premiums. I guess being a comic book collector, I have a special interest in these. I don't own any slabbed comics and either read or at least look through all of them. I sometimes turn up advertisements for comic book and pulp clubs. If I am lucky, the item is shown so I know what to look for. There are lots of obscure Golden Age comic clubs. One, I recently discovered is the "Rang-A-Tang The Wonder Dog" pinback from Blue Ribbon comics. I found the button and the name rang a bell. I dug out some old comics and lo and behold found an ad for the club with a picture of the button. Anybody got the membership card?
What was the most difficult toy or premium that you have acquired for your collection?
I have a wide level of interest. There is always something to get. Over the years, I have acquired a lot of stuff. I have learned that the most important virtue to a collector is patience. Most items have finally come to me if I just waited it out. There are however, things that if you are lucky to turn up you had better buy or you might wish later that you had. It took me years to get one of my favorite premiums the Green Hornet Secret Seal Compartment ring. It isn't a really rare item but at the time I was looking for it, a quite expensive piece. I waited until I was able to trade for a nice one for an item that I paid very little for. As an added bonus, it came with the original paper and mailing box. I get a lot more enjoyment for getting a "steal" on a piece rather than paying through the nose for it. I have just had to learn to wait until the right deal comes along.
What are the prizes of your collection?
The prizes of my collection... a very hard question to answer as I like most all the stuff I have put into my collection. Some of my favorite pieces aren't even all that rare. I would guess some of them might be: EC Tales of Terror Annual #1 with the first issues of Haunt of Fear #1, Vault of Horror #1, Weird Science #1 and Weird Fantasy #2. I also have a MAD #1 autographed by all the artists who worked on it as well as Bill Gaines which I obtained all myself, a Captain America Canadian Annual, a bound volume from the Fiction House offices of Wings #1-12 and too may other Golden and Atomic age comics to mention. Premium-wise, I would say a lot of Superman pieces such as the 1939 Prize Ring, Superman in the Democrat pinback and the only Superman Fo-Lee Gum Corp. badge I know of still in it's original wallet. I also love my Capt. Battle Silver Streak Comics pinback and premium picture, Capt. America Sentinels of Liberty kit and my Great Zarro Great Comics pinback. This is a real sleeper. It was only offered in 3 issues!
Toy-wise, I would have to say my Buck Rogers Space Helmet in original box, MIB Mr. Atomic Robot, and a 1940 Action Comics #1 jigsaw puzzle that I had signed by both Joe Schuster and Jerry Siegal.
What are you collecting at the moment?
I have kind of slowed down a little in the past few years and expanded a little. I am still looking to complete a lot of pre-code horror runs, and other Atomic Age comics. I have re-discovered just buying average condition comics to read and enjoy. I've got most of the premiums that I really want but am always looking for interesting pinback buttons. I collect lots of categories with comic characters, advertising and sports leading the pack. I have also picked up more non-character items such as 1930s-1940s vehicle toys especially cars and motorcycles. I also recently picked up a nice art deco red Bakelite radio and a 1935 Baseball coin operated Baseball counter game. I have to be careful to limit dimensional items due to space and storage limitations.
How do you display your collections? Do you display your comics and premiums together?
I have several old vintage display cases around the house filled with stuff. I also have a cool early 1950s Dell Comics wooden store display rack that I fill with collectibles and theme comic covers. It's great for holidays and always interests my non-collecting friends. I have a nice studio room with most of my stuff in it but my wonderful and understanding wife lets me spread out to other rooms as well. Sadly, a lot of stuff is put away due to space limitations. I do have a very large closet with custom shelves that run down one whole wall in my studio room. It is full of boxes of comics as well as other toys on display.
Your collection is rather extensive and covers a wide period of time. Do you find any one-time period of more interest then others?
All time frames interest me. The majority of my collection is 1900-1960. I think my favorite eras are the 1930s-1940s.
Your collection includes some early comic characters including the Yellow Kid. How significant do you feel that these early comic characters are for collectors?
Early characters definitely have significance. Every generation of comic artists and writers have been influenced upon what came before them. These early characters were breaking ground for what was yet to come. Many of these characters are now lost and forgotten. It is up to the collectors of today to keep them alive.
How did your family react to collecting? Were they supportive? Disinterested?
My family was pretty disinterested in my collecting. I do remember my Dad calling me a lunatic until I actually sold something, then I became an entrepreneur. As I got older and married it was just something my wife just put up with.
Did any of your family members collect comics, toys, or premiums or any other items?
My kids have no interest in my collection at all. My wife finally gave up about 5 years ago and joined the club. She collects turn of the century German Steiff Teddy Bears. She has built up quite a nice collection herself. We now prowl the flea markets and shows together in search of treasures.
Did you drift away from collecting at any point as some collectors do, or did you stick with them as you grew up?
I have pretty much always kept collecting. I slowed down a bit in High School (Cars, Rock 'N Roll and Girls) and college (no money) but have always come back to the stuff I liked.
Compare what excited you about comic books, toy, and premiums early on to what excites you about them now. Is it the same thing?
I have never gotten bored with the stuff I collected. Being in the Graphic Design and Advertising field, I have always been attracted to color and graphics. The action and movement of wind-up and battery toys are always an added attraction to me.
Do you have any stories about the one that got away?
The one that got away... Quite a few but one stands above all the rest. Several years ago, I was at a local Flea Market. I was walking down the aisle when I spotted a small pile of about 30 comics sitting on the edge of a table. Sitting on the top of the pile was a Detective #38. As I hurried to the table (without looking like I was really interested), a guy standing in front of the table picked up the pile. As he was casually flipping through the pile, I spotted a Superman #1 as well as a Capt. America #12 and many others. He flipped the Superman #1 at the same pace he was flipping all the other books. I was pretty sure he wasn't a comic collector and thought he might put them down. He asked the seller how much they were and was told $20. Each. I figured he would think them too expensive and put them down. Instead he made an offer for the whole pile and bought them. But, I wasn't about to go down without trying. I walked up to the guy and offered him a pretty healthy profit. I guess he got scared at the number and declined. I wonder what he thought when he found out what he had. This one still stings!
What comics, toys, and premiums are on your want list?
I'm still trying to fill in a lot of holes in my comic collection at this time. I still need a lot of pre-code horror and Fox girl art titles. Luckily, I have most all the "keys" so it's just the titles I really like that I'm trying to complete. I'm looking for a few very elusive comic book premiums such as the US Jones, American Eagle Defenders and large Shield G-Man pinbacks as well as several hard to find adventure hero premiums. I am always looking for things that I have never seen before which do turn up from time to time. That's the real fun of collecting. The thrill of the hunt.
What do you find the most rewarding about collecting in general?
The most rewarding part of collecting is finding that great piece when you least expect it. I also enjoy the excitement of talking to other collectors and sharing knowledge.
What suggestions would you have for the new collector or youth that is looking to collect comics, toys, or premiums?
Suggestions to the new collectors would be as follows: Collect something that interests you. Something that is actually obtainable and that you can actually find. Pay a price that is fair to you and don't worry about the investment. Markets change and prices fluctuate. If you are stuck with something, make sure it is something you really like. Most importantly, be patient. You can usually pay through the nose and have it right away, or take your time and build a nice collection at an affordable price. Mostly have fun and enjoy meeting other collectors who share your common interest.
Have you seen any surprises in the marketplace in the past year?
The biggest changes I can think of (other than the first edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide) are third party grading and eBay. I understand some collector's desire for third party grading. This is to protect inexperienced collectors and dealers. I don't own any "slabbed" comics nor do I plan to purchase any. I read my books and when I decide to sell them I use the Overstreet standards to grade my own books. The second factor is eBay. There is a virtual comic convention going on in your computer 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Many items that used to be considered "rare" are now available online every week. The market has had to drastically adjust values because of this. The best part is access to things that I have never seen before and an equal chance to purchase them. It is a great time to start collecting!
n e A l l e y \ i 0 , b u t y o u r f e a t u r e r e a l l y m a d e m e w a n t t o r e a d m o r e , " i t r e a l l y v a l i d a t e s w h a t w e t r y t o d o .
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\ p a r I h a v e t o s a y , t h o u g h , t h a t o u r e c l e c t i c a p p r o a c h c a n b e o f f - p u t t i n g t o s o m e p e o p l e , a n d I u n d e r s t a n d w h y . I h e a r f r o m r e a d e r s w h o a r e q u i t e u p f r o n t a b o u t s a y i n g t h a t t h e y d o n ' t k n o w w h a t t o m a k e o f u s . W e r u n a r t i c l e s a b o u t \ i K r a z y K a t \ i 0 a n d H a l F o s t e r a n d C l a r e B r i g g s a n d \ i N e w Y o r k e r \ i 0 c a r t o o n i s t s , s o w e m u s t b e k i n d o f h i g h b r o w . B u t w e r u n a r t i c l e s a b o u t p l e n t y o f n u t t y s t u f f , s o m a y b e w e ' r e l o w b r o w . W e t a l k a b o u t t h e l o f t y a r t i s t i c a m b i t i o n s o f c o m i c s , b u t w e r u n a r t i c l e s w i t h g i r l i e a r t , s o w e m u s t b e p a n d e r i n g . W h i c h i s i t ? D o y o u g u y s h a v e a t t e n t i o n - d e f i c i t d i s o r d e r ? I g u e s s w e ' r e n o r m a l p e o p l e w h o h a v e a n a p p r e c i a t i o n o f t h e g o o d s t u f f t h a t c o m i c s h a s p r o d u c e d , b u t w e a l s o h a v e f u n w i t h o t h e r m a t e r i a l t h a t m i g h t b e i n t e r e s t i n g b u t l e s s c o n s e q u e n t i a l , l i k e w h e n y o u j u s t w a n t t o w a t c h \ i F r i e n d s \ i 0 a n d e a t B e n & J e r r y ' s . T h e r e ' s n o t h i n g w r o n g w i t h c o m f o r t f o o d !
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\ p a r \ b S c o o p : I t ' s e q u a l l y o b v i o u s t h a t y o u ' r e w i l l i n g t o g o a s e a r l y a s p o s s i b l e i n c o m i c s h i s t o r y a n d a s r e c e n t a s p o s s i b l e i n c u r r e n t m a t e r i a l ( t h i s i s s u e , f o r i n s t a n c e , r u n s f r o m t h e B r o w n i e s t o t h e S i m p s o n s ) . A s i m i l a r q u e s t i o n t o t h e p r e v i o u s o n e , w h y d o y o u t h i n k s o m e p e o p l e c o m e u p w i t h a r b i t r a r y c u t - o f f o r s t a r t - u p d a t e s w h e n t h e y ' r e t a l k i n g o r w r i t i n g a b o u t c o m i c c h a r a c t e r h i s t o r y ?
\ p a r \ b 0 T o m H e i n t j e s : B e c a u s e i t ' s a c o n v e n i e n t s h o r t h a n d . I t g e t s b a c k t o w h a t w e w e r e j u s t t a l k i n g a b o u t : " I ' m a S i l v e r A g e f a n . " D o e s t h a t m e a n y o u d o n ' t l i k e a n y t h i n g b e f o r e \ i S h o w c a s e # 4 \ i 0 ? O r a n y t h i n g a f t e r J a c k K i r b y l e f t M a r v e l C o m i c s ? O r y o u d o n ' t l i k e a n y n e w s p a p e r s t r i p s o r p o l i t i c a l c a r t o o n i s t s o r b r o a d c a s t c a r t o o n s ? I ' l l a d m i t i t c a n b e h a n d y t o s a y " t h e G o l d e n A g e C a p t a i n A m e r i c a , " n o t t o b e c o n f u s e d w i t h t h e l a t e r i n c a r n a t i o n s , b u t C a p t a i n A m e r i c a w a s p u b l i s h e d i n t o t h e 1 9 5 0 s - n o t v e r y w e l l , t h o u g h - s o w a s t h a t o n e a l s o t h e G o l d e n A g e o n e ? I t ' s u l t i m a t e l y a n o v e r s i m p l i f y i n g s h o r t h a n d . O n e t h i n g w e l i k e d a b o u t t h e t i t l e \ i H o g a n ' s A l l e y \ i 0 i s t h a t i t c o n j u r e d u p a t o u c h s t o n e t o t h e e a r l i e s t d a y s o f c o m i c s , b u t i t h a s n e v e r p r e v e n t e d u s f r o m e n j o y i n g w o r k b e i n g p r o d u c e d t o d a y ; i t r e p r e s e n t s t h e p a t h t h a t c a r t o o n i n g h a s t r a v e l e d t o g e t t o w h e r e i t i s n o w . S o m e w o r k t r a n s c e n d s i t s e r a , b u t a l l w o r k i s a p r o d u c t o f i t s e r a , a n d w e w a n t t o t r y t o p l a c e t h a t w o r k i n a c o n t e x t a n d g i v e r e a d e r s a r e a s o n t o l o o k a t s o m e t h i n g i n a n e w w a y , w i t h o u t l a b e l s t h a t m i g h t l i m i t i t s a p p e a l .
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\ p a r \ b S c o o p : \ i H o g a n ' s A l l e y \ i 0 , f o r a n y o n e t h a t ' s s p e n t a n y t i m e w i t h a n i s s u e , i s c l e a r l y a l a b o r o f l o v e . A n y p u b l i s h i n g v e n t u r e i s f i l l e d w i t h h e a d a c h e s a n d h e a r t a c h e s . W h a t m a k e s y o u w a n t t o d o i t ?
\ p a r \ b 0 T o m H e i n t j e s : W h o e l s e i n h i s r i g h t m i n d w o u l d ? R e a l l y , t h o u g h i t ' s a b l a s t s h e p h e r d i n g a l l t h e s e d i s p a r a t e e l e m e n t s i n t o a c o h e s i v e w h o l e a n d g i v i n g f a n s a n o t h e r i s s u e t o b e p r o v o k e d b y , c h a l l e n g e d b y o r j u s t a m u s e d b y . I ' d b e l y i n g i f I s a i d i t w a s a l l f u n . . . m a n a g i n g a c i r c u l a t i o n d a t a b a s e i s h a r d l y a t h r i l l , f o r e x a m p l e . B u t s e e i n g s o m e o f t h e s e a r t i c l e s g e t p u b l i s h e d a n d k n o w i n g t h a t t h e y w i l l c o n t r i b u t e t o r e a d e r s ' k n o w l e d g e a n d a p p r e c i a t i o n o f c a r t o o n i n g i s j u s t a g r e a t f e e l i n g . I a p p r o a c h e d A l l a n H o l t z , o n e o f o u r t r e m e n d o u s w r i t e r s w h o i s a n o u t s t a n d i n g c o m i c s h i s t o r i a n i n h i s o w n r i g h t , w i t h a n i d e a a b o u t p r o f i l i n g c a r t o o n i n g ' s m o s t h i s t o r i c a l l y s i g n i f i c a n t n o n - c a r t o o n i s t s . I t j u s t s o u n d e d l i k e a n e a t i d e a t o m e , a n d A l l a n w a s t h e g o - t o g u y f o r s o m e t h i n g l i k e t h a t . Y o u s a w t h e r e s u l t i n i s s u e # 1 2 - h e p r o d u c e d t h e m a s a l i n e o f v i n t a g e b a s e b a l l c a r d s ! S o t o g o f r o m a b u l l s e s s i o n , j u s t t o s s i n g a n i d e a w i t h p o t e n t i a l a r o u n d , t o t h e f i n a l r e s u l t i s v e r y e x c i t i n g a n d a l w a y s g e t s m e e n e r g i z e d f o r t h e n e x t i s s u e .
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\ p a r \ b S c o o p : W h a t h a v e r e a c t i o n s b e e n l i k e t o t h i s i s s u e ?
\ p a r \ b 0 T o m H e i n t j e s : R e a l l y , r e a l l y g o o d . I t h i n k p a r t o f t h a t m i g h t b e a t t r i b u t a b l e t o h a v i n g \ i T h e S i m p s o n s \ i 0 o n t h e c o v e r a n d a l o n g i n t e r v i e w w i t h a S i m p s o n s p r o d u c e r i n s i d e - I ' m n o t a n i d i o t - b u t I a l s o h a v e t o t h i n k t h a t t h e d i v e r s i t y o f t h e i s s u e h o l d s a w i d e a p p e a l . I t ' s o u r b i g g e s t i s s u e y e t , a t 1 5 2 p a g e s , s o w e r e a l l y w o r k e d h a r d t o p a c k a l o t i n . W e r e p r i n t e d a l o t o f A l C a p p s t r i p s t h a t I ' m w i l l i n g t o b e t f e w p e o p l e h a v e e v e r s e e n , a n d w e h a v e a r e a l l y n i c e a r t i c l e a b o u t D i s n e y a r t i s t P a u l M u r r y a n d h i s g o o d - g i r l a r t . I g u e s s w e ' l l f i n d o u t i f s e x s e l l s . T h e i s s u e h a s n ' t b e e n o u t t h a t l o n g , b u t t h e r e ' s a l o t o f e n t h u s i a s m . I a l w a y s t e l l p e o p l e t o r e a d i t s l o w a n d m a k e i t l a s t , b e c a u s e t h e n e x t o n e w i l l t a k e a w h i l e .
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\ p a r \ b S c o o p : W h a t t y p e s o f f e a t u r e s a r e m o s t p o p u l a r w i t h y o u r r e a d e r s ?
\ p a r \ b 0 T o m H e i n t j e s : P e o p l e a l w a y s l i k e i n t e r v i e w s , o f c o u r s e , b u t s o m e t i m e s t h e m a t e r i a l t h a t ' s m o s t p o p u l a r i s m a t e r i a l t h a t I d i d n ' t e x p e c t t o b e a b i g h i t . W e r a n a f e a t u r e o n t h e f o r t i e t h b i r t h d a y o f \ i T h e F l i n t s t o n e s \ i 0 . I t w a s a v e r y s o l i d , i n f o r m a t i v e a n d e n t e r t a i n i n g f e a t u r e , b u t p e o p l e l o v e d i t ! W e g o t s o m u c h r e a c t i o n t o t h a t . W e r e p r i n t e d s o m e o f J a c k C o l e ' s \ i B e t s y & M e \ i 0 s t r i p s , w h i c h w a s a v e r y n i c e , i n t e l l i g e n t s t r i p . I t h o u g h t i t m e r i t e d a n i c e s h o w c a s e . A n d p e o p l e w e n t w i l d o v e r t h e m ! I t ' s g o t t e n p i c k e d u p a n d r e d i s t r i b u t e d o v e r t h e I n t e r n e t . W e r a n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h t h e l a s t D i s n e y a r t i s t B i l l P e e t , a n d t h a t ' s o n e o f o u r b e s t - r e m e m b e r e d p i e c e s . S o I n e v e r k n o w f o r s u r e , b u t t h a t ' s p a r t o f t h e f u n .
\ p a r I c a n t e l l y o u , t h o u g h , t h a t - i s s u e i n a n d i s s u e o u t - o n e o f o u r m o s t p o p u l a r f e a t u r e s i s " D e j a V i e w e d , " i n w h i c h w e p a i r u p i n s t a n c e s w h e r e c a r t o o n i s t s u s e s i m i l a r i d e a s . W e n e v e r a c c u s e a n y o n e o f p l a g i a r i s m ; w e j u s t p a i r t h e m u p . R e a d e r s s u b m i t a l m o s t a l l o f t h e m , a n d I n e v e r f a i l t o b e a m a z e d b y w h a t t h e y t u r n u p . T h e y a r e s o a m a z i n g . A n d p e o p l e l o v e r e a d i n g t h e m . N o w , I f e e l k i n d o f b a d a b o u t p l a y i n g a c h e a p g a m e o f " g o t c h a , " a n d s o m e t i m e s i t m a k e s s o m e c a r t o o n i s t s m a d , b u t i t ' s a l l p a r t o f t h e g a m e .
\ p a r W e ' v e a l s o m a d e a p r a c t i c e o f r u n n i n g v i n t a g e a d v e r t i s e m e n t s t h a t f e a t u r e c a r t o o n c h a r a c t e r s , a n d t h e s e a r e a l w a y s v e r y p o p u l a r w i t h r e a d e r s . W e s t a r t e d d o i n g t h i s b e c a u s e w e w a n t e d t o r e c r e a t e t h e e r a w h e n i t w a s c o m m o n p l a c e t o l e a f t h r o u g h a m a g a z i n e a n d \ i L i ' l A b n e r \ i 0 w o u l d b e s h i l l i n g f o r O r a n g e C r u s h . P l u s , w e j u s t l o v e v i n t a g e a d v e r t i s i n g , a n d i t w a s a w a y t o l a d l e s o m e r e a l l y n i c e a r t w o r k i n t o e a c h i s s u e . S h o w i n g t h o s e o l d a d s s e e m s l i k e s u c h a n a t u r a l t h i n g f o r a c o m i c s m a g a z i n e t o d o ; I w o n d e r i f o t h e r m a g a z i n e s d e d i c a t e d t o o t h e r a r t f o r m s r u n u n p a i d v i n t a g e a d s f o r p r o d u c t s t h a t m a y n o l o n g e r e x i s t . I t w o u l d b e g r e a t i f t h e y d i d !
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\ p a r \ b S c o o p : O t h e r t h a n a t t h e i r l o c a l c o m i c s s h o p s , h o w c a n r e a d e r s g e t \ i H o g a n ' s A l l e y \ i 0 ?
\ p a r \ b 0 T o m H e i n t j e s : W e a r e a v a i l a b l e a t s o m e n e w s s t a n d s a n d b o o k s t o r e s , b u t o u r c i r c u l a t i o n i s l i m i t e d , a n d f i n d i n g u s i s a c r a p s h o o t . W e h a v e i n d i v i d u a l b a c k i s s u e s f o r s a l e t h r o u g h o u r W e b s i t e , \ c f 1 < A H R E F = " h t t p : / / w w w . h o g a n m a g . c o m " > h t t p : / / w w w . h o g a n m a g . c o m < / A > \ c f 0 . C l i c k o n t h e " s u b s c r i b e o r b u y b a c k i s s u e s " l i n k i n t h e u p p e r - r i g h t c o r n e r , a n d w e ' l l t a k e c a r e o f y o u . I f a l l y o u w a n t i s o u r m o s t r e c e n t i s s u e , # 1 2 , w e c a n g e t t h a t r i g h t o u t t o y o u , a n d y o u c a n d e c i d e f o r y o u r s e l f i f y o u w a n t t o m o v e i n t o t h e A l l e y .
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\ p a r \ b S c o o p : W h e r e d o y o u s e e t h e e x p l o r a t i o n o f c o m i c s c h a r a c t e r h i s t o r y g o i n g o v e r t h e n e x t f e w y e a r s ?
\ p a r \ b 0 T o m H e i n t j e s : I t ' s g o i n g t o b e i n t e r e s t i n g - r e s e a r c h i n t o e a r l y n e w s p a p e r s i s o n l y g o i n g t o g e t m o r e d i f f i c u l t a s t h e m a t e r i a l d e g r a d e s a n d a s i n s t i t u t i o n " d e a c q u i s i t i o n ; " t h a t i s , g e t r i d o f t h e s p a c e - m o n g e r i n g n e w s p a p e r s . T h e r e ' s a c a d r e o f v e r y d e d i c a t e d a r c h i v i s t s a n d r e s e a r c h e r s w h o a r e m a k i n g n e w d i s c o v e r i e s o n a r e g u l a r b a s i s a n d a r e s h a r i n g t h e m o n t h e I n t e r n e t , s o I ' m o p t i m i s t i c t h a t w e ' l l c o n t i n u e t o l e a r n m o r e a b o u t h o w c o m i c s e v o l v e d a n d h o w e v e n t s m o v e d a s t h e y d i d . E t e r n a l o p t i m i s t t h a t I a m , I ' m a l s o h o p e f u l t h a t t h i s w i l l s p a r k a l a r g e r r e n a i s s a n c e i n t h e a p p r e c i a t i o n o f c a r t o o n i n g b y t h e p u b l i c , b u t I k n o w t h i s i s a s o m e w h a t f a n c i f u l n o t i o n . I g u e s s w h a t I w o u l d r e a l l y l i k e t o s e e i s a r e a l i z a t i o n a m o n g m a i n s t r e a m f a n s t h a t c a r t o o n i n g d o e s n ' t e x i s t i n a n a e s t h e t i c v a c u u m , t h a t i t ' s r e l a t e d t o o t h e r a s p e c t s o f p o p u l a r a r t a n d c u l t u r e a n d t h a t i t ' s s t i l l c a p a b l e o f p r o d u c i n g v i t a l w o r k t h a t c a n e v e n o c c a s i o n a l l y h a v e a l a r g e i m p a c t o n t h e c u l t u r e .
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\ p a r \ i C a l v i n a n d H o b b e s \ i 0 w a s " j u s t " a d a i l y c o m i c s t r i p p r o d u c e d f o r a d e c a d e d u r i n g a t i m e w h e n t h e f o r m e n j o y e d l i t t l e p o p u l a r r e s p e c t , b u t I a l w a y s h e a r p e o p l e s a y i n g t h a t t h e y s t i l l m i s s i t . T h a t s p e a k s t o t h e p o w e r o f t h e c o m i c s t r i p .
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\ p a r \ b S c o o p : S i n c e w e f i n d o u r s e l v e s v e r y o f t e n w i t h a s i m i l a r o u t l o o k , w h a t d o y o u t h i n k o f \ i S c o o p \ i 0 ?
\ p a r \ b 0 T o m H e i n t j e s : I h a v e b e e n a n a v i d r e a d e r s i n c e t h e f i r s t i s s u e a n d h a v e a l w a y s t o l d y o u r s t a f f w h a t a n o u t s t a n d i n g j o b t h e y d o . I t h i n k o f \ i S c o o p \ i 0 a n d \ i H o g a n \ i 0 a s f e l l o w - t r a v e l e r s , r e a l l y - b o t h c a s t i n g a w i d e n e t a n d f o s t e r i n g a n a p p r e c i a t i o n o f c o n t e m p o r a r y m a t e r i a l a l o n g s i d e t h a t o f y e s t e r y e a r . O f c o u r s e , I a l w a y s n o t i c e w h a t o t h e r s d o b e t t e r t h a n w e d o , a n d I a m e n v i o u s o f y o u r t i m e l i n e s s : Y o u r e p o r t n e w s a n d e v e n t s a s t h e y o c c u r , w h i c h i s s o m e t h i n g I c a n o n l y d r e a m a b o u t . I a m a l w a y s i m p r e s s e d b y s o m e o f t h e c r a z y l i n k s y o u f i n d a n d i n c l u d e - I g e t a b i g k i c k o u t o f t h e m . B u t t h e m a i n t h i n g t h a t c o m e s t h r o u g h i s t h e p a s s i o n f o r c a r t o o n i n g a n d t h e d e s i r e t o m a k e y o u r r e a d e r s a w a r e o f j u s t h o w m u c h g o o d w o r k i s b e i n g p r o d u c e d i n s o m a n y a r e a s o f t h e i n d u s t r y A n d h o w i t ' s
When did you begin to collect comics?
I remember reading comics with other kids in the neighborhood and inheriting some from my uncle. One of my dad's friends gave me and my brother an Army footlocker packed with his own World War II era comics. These were a real eye opener seeing characters such as the Flash and Green Lantern in their first incarnations as well as characters such as the Spectre, Capt. America and the Justice Society. These were big issues and very unlike their Silver Age counterparts that I was familiar with.
What was the first comic book you remember buying?
The first comics I bought were mostly DC Comics. No real standouts as I liked most of them but I did look forward to the Adventure issues with Bizarro world stories and the war books like Sgt. Rock. I also liked Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. I still wasn't really "collecting" at the time. The one that probably turned the tide wasn't really even a comic book but MAD #76.
What were the circumstances (where, when, etc)?
I was visiting my grandparents. My grandfather and I were at the drug store. I had talked him into a few comics and then the cover of MAD #76 jumped out at me. It was a quarter at the time (same as more than 2 regular comic books). I read it cover to cover several times. I have kept buying it month after month and have not missed an issue to date.
How long from the time you first bought a comic book until you considered yourself a collector?
At this time I was not actively searching out back issues. I did trade with kids in the neighborhood (especially for MADs). When I got the paperback book Inside MAD (with all the little cover reproductions on the cover), it occurred to me that MAD might have been different in its earlier issues. The first issue I paid more than cover price for was MAD #9. My dad had taken me to Hollywood with him one day. While he was doing his business, he left me off at Cherokee Books with some spending money. This store as well as Collector's Book Store and Bond Street Books were all within walking distance and all carried vintage comics. In the back of Cherokee Books, up a wooden winding staircase (with comics tacked up on the walls, were more old comics than I had ever seen in one place! I pulled MAD #9 off the wall and Burt Blum sold me this issue for $2.00 and inflicted me forever with the collecting bug.
What were your early favorites?
While searching out MADs, I discovered they were published by EC Publications. Soon, in addition to MAD I was looking out for Tales from the Crypt, Weird Science, Crime SuspenStories as well as any other comic that carried the EC logo. I would also pick-up other weird pre-code titles of all kinds when I ran across them. I even bought some early Golden Age books such as the ones I had received in the footlocker. I liked the Timely books and loved the Spectre in More Fun. I still have the More Fun #52 that I shelled out the huge sum at the time of $25. At Collector's Bookstore. That was it. I was a confirmed collector.
How did your collecting develop from that point?
I started attending small one-day shows in the LA area. Often, when I couldn't afford the high priced EC's ($2 to $5 each), I would buy whole boxes of pre-code horror, crime and jungle girl titles considered junk at the time for $10-$20 a box. These were usually on the floor under the table. My Teenage Dope Slaves and Reform School Girl came from these boxes as well as Phantom Lady and other Fox titles. I discovered lots of EC artists as well as others in these books. I started going to flea markets, garage sales, auctions and advertising in the local paper for old comics. This brought me lots of books at real affordable prices. I then discovered Rocket's Blast-Comic Collector and the world of mail order. I ordered catalogs from Howard Rogofsky, Robert Bell and others. I also discovered I could unload my unwanted comics by trading with other collectors around the country. Comics weren't really graded at the time so you really never knew what "good" condition really meant. It didn't really matter all that much to me because I was getting lots of stuff I couldn't get locally.
Did you have other collecting habits, too? If so, what?
At this time I really only collected comic books. But, as time went buy, I found Big Little Books, Pulps and Paperback books finding their way into my ever-growing collection. Word of mouth was also a great way to get stuff. People would actually give you this stuff if you showed an interest. I remember getting a large 1930s pulp collection destined for the trash by just asking. There were no price guides or news stories so this stuff had no real value to the non-collector. I realized long ago that I would never be able to get complete runs of most of these titles. I decided to go after the key issues, origins and great covers. The fun thing after all these years is to discover something that I've never seen before. Odds are that after 35 years or so collecting, if I haven't seen it it's pretty scarce. Rarity is much more important to me than condition. I have passed on things due to condition and never had the chance to get another one. I would much rather have a reading copy that never to have the item at all.
You collect radio premiums and toys. How did you begin to collect them?
My first old toy purchase was a 1947 Flash Gordon tin litho Spaceport that I got at the Rose Bowl Flea market in the early 1970s. That was 30 years ago, and to this day, it's the only one I've ever seen. The colors and graphics just jumped out at me. Soon, I was also looking for other old vintage character and space toys. Color and graphics as well as wind-up and battery operated toys are still my favorite. They also cross over into the comic book medium. I got into Radio Premiums by buying a large original owner collection most in original mailers at an estate sale. They sparked my interest because of their clever design and cross over into the world of comics.
You collect a wide variety of premiums and toys. Are there any specific areas that interest you more then others?
As far as toys go, I buy things that are bright and colorful and visually interesting. I mostly collect comic characters but also have a lot of nice old cars, trucks, motorcycles and airplanes in my collection. 95% of my collection is pre-1960s. Premium wise, for a while I was buying everything I could find. I've pretty much narrowed it down to comic book and adventure heroes. A special interest of mine is comic book and pulp premiums. I guess being a comic book collector, I have a special interest in these. I don't own any slabbed comics and either read or at least look through all of them. I sometimes turn up advertisements for comic book and pulp clubs. If I am lucky, the item is shown so I know what to look for. There are lots of obscure Golden Age comic clubs. One, I recently discovered is the "Rang-A-Tang The Wonder Dog" pinback from Blue Ribbon comics. I found the button and the name rang a bell. I dug out some old comics and lo and behold found an ad for the club with a picture of the button. Anybody got the membership card?
What was the most difficult toy or premium that you have acquired for your collection?
I have a wide level of interest. There is always something to get. Over the years, I have acquired a lot of stuff. I have learned that the most important virtue to a collector is patience. Most items have finally come to me if I just waited it out. There are however, things that if you are lucky to turn up you had better buy or you might wish later that you had. It took me years to get one of my favorite premiums the Green Hornet Secret Seal Compartment ring. It isn't a really rare item but at the time I was looking for it, a quite expensive piece. I waited until I was able to trade for a nice one for an item that I paid very little for. As an added bonus, it came with the original paper and mailing box. I get a lot more enjoyment for getting a "steal" on a piece rather than paying through the nose for it. I have just had to learn to wait until the right deal comes along.
What are the prizes of your collection?
The prizes of my collection... a very hard question to answer as I like most all the stuff I have put into my collection. Some of my favorite pieces aren't even all that rare. I would guess some of them might be: EC Tales of Terror Annual #1 with the first issues of Haunt of Fear #1, Vault of Horror #1, Weird Science #1 and Weird Fantasy #2. I also have a MAD #1 autographed by all the artists who worked on it as well as Bill Gaines which I obtained all myself, a Captain America Canadian Annual, a bound volume from the Fiction House offices of Wings #1-12 and too may other Golden and Atomic age comics to mention. Premium-wise, I would say a lot of Superman pieces such as the 1939 Prize Ring, Superman in the Democrat pinback and the only Superman Fo-Lee Gum Corp. badge I know of still in it's original wallet. I also love my Capt. Battle Silver Streak Comics pinback and premium picture, Capt. America Sentinels of Liberty kit and my Great Zarro Great Comics pinback. This is a real sleeper. It was only offered in 3 issues!
Toy-wise, I would have to say my Buck Rogers Space Helmet in original box, MIB Mr. Atomic Robot, and a 1940 Action Comics #1 jigsaw puzzle that I had signed by both Joe Schuster and Jerry Siegal.
What are you collecting at the moment?
I have kind of slowed down a little in the past few years and expanded a little. I am still looking to complete a lot of pre-code horror runs, and other Atomic Age comics. I have re-discovered just buying average condition comics to read and enjoy. I've got most of the premiums that I really want but am always looking for interesting pinback buttons. I collect lots of categories with comic characters, advertising and sports leading the pack. I have also picked up more non-character items such as 1930s-1940s vehicle toys especially cars and motorcycles. I also recently picked up a nice art deco red Bakelite radio and a 1935 Baseball coin operated Baseball counter game. I have to be careful to limit dimensional items due to space and storage limitations.
How do you display your collections? Do you display your comics and premiums together?
I have several old vintage display cases around the house filled with stuff. I also have a cool early 1950s Dell Comics wooden store display rack that I fill with collectibles and theme comic covers. It's great for holidays and always interests my non-collecting friends. I have a nice studio room with most of my stuff in it but my wonderful and understanding wife lets me spread out to other rooms as well. Sadly, a lot of stuff is put away due to space limitations. I do have a very large closet with custom shelves that run down one whole wall in my studio room. It is full of boxes of comics as well as other toys on display.
Your collection is rather extensive and covers a wide period of time. Do you find any one-time period of more interest then others?
All time frames interest me. The majority of my collection is 1900-1960. I think my favorite eras are the 1930s-1940s.
Your collection includes some early comic characters including the Yellow Kid. How significant do you feel that these early comic characters are for collectors?
Early characters definitely have significance. Every generation of comic artists and writers have been influenced upon what came before them. These early characters were breaking ground for what was yet to come. Many of these characters are now lost and forgotten. It is up to the collectors of today to keep them alive.
How did your family react to collecting? Were they supportive? Disinterested?
My family was pretty disinterested in my collecting. I do remember my Dad calling me a lunatic until I actually sold something, then I became an entrepreneur. As I got older and married it was just something my wife just put up with.
Did any of your family members collect comics, toys, or premiums or any other items?
My kids have no interest in my collection at all. My wife finally gave up about 5 years ago and joined the club. She collects turn of the century German Steiff Teddy Bears. She has built up quite a nice collection herself. We now prowl the flea markets and shows together in search of treasures.
Did you drift away from collecting at any point as some collectors do, or did you stick with them as you grew up?
I have pretty much always kept collecting. I slowed down a bit in High School (Cars, Rock 'N Roll and Girls) and college (no money) but have always come back to the stuff I liked.
Compare what excited you about comic books, toy, and premiums early on to what excites you about them now. Is it the same thing?
I have never gotten bored with the stuff I collected. Being in the Graphic Design and Advertising field, I have always been attracted to color and graphics. The action and movement of wind-up and battery toys are always an added attraction to me.
Do you have any stories about the one that got away?
The one that got away... Quite a few but one stands above all the rest. Several years ago, I was at a local Flea Market. I was walking down the aisle when I spotted a small pile of about 30 comics sitting on the edge of a table. Sitting on the top of the pile was a Detective #38. As I hurried to the table (without looking like I was really interested), a guy standing in front of the table picked up the pile. As he was casually flipping through the pile, I spotted a Superman #1 as well as a Capt. America #12 and many others. He flipped the Superman #1 at the same pace he was flipping all the other books. I was pretty sure he wasn't a comic collector and thought he might put them down. He asked the seller how much they were and was told $20. Each. I figured he would think them too expensive and put them down. Instead he made an offer for the whole pile and bought them. But, I wasn't about to go down without trying. I walked up to the guy and offered him a pretty healthy profit. I guess he got scared at the number and declined. I wonder what he thought when he found out what he had. This one still stings!
What comics, toys, and premiums are on your want list?
I'm still trying to fill in a lot of holes in my comic collection at this time. I still need a lot of pre-code horror and Fox girl art titles. Luckily, I have most all the "keys" so it's just the titles I really like that I'm trying to complete. I'm looking for a few very elusive comic book premiums such as the US Jones, American Eagle Defenders and large Shield G-Man pinbacks as well as several hard to find adventure hero premiums. I am always looking for things that I have never seen before which do turn up from time to time. That's the real fun of collecting. The thrill of the hunt.
What do you find the most rewarding about collecting in general?
The most rewarding part of collecting is finding that great piece when you least expect it. I also enjoy the excitement of talking to other collectors and sharing knowledge.
What suggestions would you have for the new collector or youth that is looking to collect comics, toys, or premiums?
Suggestions to the new collectors would be as follows: Collect something that interests you. Something that is actually obtainable and that you can actually find. Pay a price that is fair to you and don't worry about the investment. Markets change and prices fluctuate. If you are stuck with something, make sure it is something you really like. Most importantly, be patient. You can usually pay through the nose and have it right away, or take your time and build a nice collection at an affordable price. Mostly have fun and enjoy meeting other collectors who share your common interest.
Have you seen any surprises in the marketplace in the past year?
The biggest changes I can think of (other than the first edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide) are third party grading and eBay. I understand some collector's desire for third party grading. This is to protect inexperienced collectors and dealers. I don't own any "slabbed" comics nor do I plan to purchase any. I read my books and when I decide to sell them I use the Overstreet standards to grade my own books. The second factor is eBay. There is a virtual comic convention going on in your computer 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Many items that used to be considered "rare" are now available online every week. The market has had to drastically adjust values because of this. The best part is access to things that I have never seen before and an equal chance to purchase them. It is a great time to start collecting!
