Conversion of Assets VI

During the recent inventorying of a collection of ‘Magic: The Gathering’ cards a number of rare and valuable items were discovered. After much discussion, the decision was made that two of these items should be put on the auction block with the intent of raising funds for diversify the collection. The first card selected was Enlightened Tutor, a powerful Tutor from the Mirage expansion set released in 1997 that included Vampiric Tutor, Mystical Tutor, and Worldy Tutor. The second card selected was Force of Will from Alliances, an expansion released in 1996 as the second set in the ‘Ice Age’ block. Commentators have argued that Force of Will may be the best counter-spell ever printed with its ability to be cast even with all the player’s mana tapped. The Enlightened Tutor was able to net a total of $35.51 CAD, and the Force of Will $101.91 CAD, for a combined sale of $137.42!

Those funds were immediately used to procure a 1/25 ounce 99.99% pure gold coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint. This coin, though a mere 13.92mm in diameter, is intricately-engraved and displays the famous fishing schooner, the Bluenose, Canada’s quintessential symbol of speed and grace on the open sea. This is the same vessel depicted on Canada’s 10-cent circulation coin since 1935. The gold ‘Bluenose’ comes accompanied by a serialized certificate, and is encapsulated and presented in a maroon flock-lined clamshell case. The Royal Canadian Mint is a Canadian Crown Corporation that produces all of Canada's circulation coins. They are renowned for their high purity bullion coins as the Mint operates refineries to melt, assay and refine gold, silver and other precious metals. The total cost of this purchase was $135.50 CAD, with the remaining $1.92 from the sale of the cards spent on a celebratory coffee!

Conversion of Assets V

With the recent popularity of the Avengers movie and the Iron Man films, there is a growing nostalgia for the Silver Age and Bronze Age Iron Man! With that in mind, the panelology department set their sights on acquiring a nice copy of ‘Iron Man #47’. But in order to acquire the necessary funds the following books were sold: first, ‘Batman #251’, published by DC Comics September, 1973. This issue is the bronze-age debut of the Joker, profoundly revised by writer Denny O'Neil and artist Neal Adams. Graded around F (6.0), the cover gloss on this issue still has moderate reflectivity, although there is some minor cover wear, with some minor to moderate creasing; second, ‘Batman #386’, published by DC Comics August, 1985. This issue contains the first appearance of the villain Black Mask. Graded around VF/NM (9.0), this is a sharp copy with no creases, and still has outstanding eye appeal. Issue #251 was sold for $49.96 CAD and issue #386 for $45.79 CAD - a total of $95.75.

These funds were then used to purchase a CGC graded 9.0 (VF/NM) copy of ‘Iron Man #47’ for a total of $92.64 CAD. Published by Marvel Comics in June, 1972, this issue retells the origin of Iron Man, written by Roy Thomas with art by the incomparable Barry Windsor Smith. This is the first detailed retelling of the golden Avenger’s origin since his debut in ‘Tales of Suspense #39’, a decade earlier. The cover itself, an iconic Iron Man image if ever there was one, is by the legendary Gil Kane. As the Iron man movie franchise has grossed over one-billion dollars worldwide, there will be lots of fans for generations to come that will be interested in key issues of his eponymous comic book series!

Conversion of Assets IV

The recent discovery of a small cache of coins lead to a case of 'silver-fever' in the ranks at Clint Carson's Collectibles, and soon the rummaging began for items in the cast-off box to see what could be traded for the "poor man's gold". In short order a vintage Mego 'Mad Monsters' Wolfman Action Figure was uncovered! This 8" action figure featured Glow-in-the-Dark claws and eyes! The Copyright date on the body reads MCMLXXI (1971), though the actual release of the Mad Monsters line was between 1973/74. The figure has its original costume as well, except for the shoes, which went missing over the years. The overall condition of the figure is very good with some signs of wear-and-tear, but most joints still tight and poseable. The glow in the dark plastic of the eyes has softened into a globule near the eyeballs, and there are some other cosmetic issues, but those have no appreciable effect on the quality of the figure. This 'Mad Monsters' Wolfman was sold for $28.48 USD.

In turn, the 'silver-fever' was sated when a series of American Roosevelt dimes were found. In 1946 the new Roosevelt dime replaced the Winged Liberty Head ("Mercury") dime, and, like its predecessor, those minted before the passage of the Coinage Act of 1965 are comprised of 90% silver and weigh 2.5 grams. The price of silver has slid back in recent weeks, and as of this writing a gram of silver valued at approximately $0.96 USD. Regardless, each dime, with a face value of only 10 cents, is now worth $2.16 USD in silver content alone. As such, the Mego 'Mad Monsters' Wolfman was effectively traded for 13 dimes with a combined face value of $1.30! But although the figure was not of the quality that was appreciated here, it has now gone to a new home where, hopefully, it is given the attention it deserves.

Conversion of assets III

The bibliophilia department made a recent conversion of assets utilizing a first printing of Kathe Koja's 1991 debut novel 'The Cipher'. Thought-provoking as it is horrifying, Nicholas and his friend Nakota discover a black "Funhole" in the floor of an abandoned storage room in his apartment building. The hole becomes both a physical and psychic phenomenon that forces them to face their miserable, aimless lives. Winner of the Bram Stoker Award and the Locus Award, and somewhat difficult to find, this edition was sold for $43.69 CAD.

The income was used to acquire a first printing of a Signet Books paperback edition of Ian Fleming's 'For Your Eyes Only'. Published in June, 1961, this collection of James Bond short stories was the only edition published with this cover. A change of format for Fleming, who had previously written James Bond stories only as full-length novels, the collection contains "From a View to a Kill", "For Your Eyes Only", "Quantum of Solace", "Risico" and "The Hildebrand Rarity". Four of the stories were adaptations of plots for a television series that was never filmed while the fifth Fleming had written previously but not published. Total cost of the purchase was $28.67 CAD, the profit being held for the bibliophilia department.

Conversion of assets II

Who says lightning dosen't strike twice? Another "conversion of assets" was recently made: a set of ‘Night Nurse’ was sold for a total of $123 CAD.'Night Nurse' was published by Marvel Comics Group and lasted only four issues, cover-dated November 1972 to May 1973. The medical drama series focused on the adventures of three female roommates who worked the night shift at a fictional hospital in New York City.

The cash was used to purchase a CGC graded 9.0 (VF/NM) copy of ‘Amazing Spider-Man #96'. Published by Marvel Comics Group dated May 1971, this issue features an appearance by the Green Goblin, and is notable for being the first main stream American comic book to be published without the seal of the Comics Code Authority, a de facto censor for the U.S. comic book industry.

Conversion of assets

A lesson was learned a long time ago about the empty feeling that lingers after a collectible is sold for cold cash. The money is alright at first, but quickly that high fades away. Trading, or converting, however, is a different prospect altogether! Just recently, one such "conversion of assets" was made: a NM copy of ‘Batman: Vengeance of Bane’ was sold for a total of $58 CAD, and the cash used to purchase a CGC graded 9.0 (VF/NM) copy of ‘Marvel Team-up #3’.

‘Marvel Team-up #3’, published by Marvel Comics Group dated July 1972, features an early appearance by Morbius, the Living Vampire. The CGC grading is a guarantee of quality when purchasing books sight-unseen, and allows for easier conversion at a later date. ‘Batman: Vengeance of Bane’ was published by DC Comics dated January 1993, and features the origin & first appearance of Batman's adversary Bane. Interest in this book has spiked recently due to the character's appearance in the upcoming Batman movie.