TALES OF SUSPENSE 97 page 1 splash
When I first started collecting OA, many years ago, around 1995, twice-up art was coveted much more than small size (regular size art)--the price ratio was about 3 to 1. Even if the image of a small size piece of art was spectacular it was still only worth roughly a third of a similar themed page that was twice-up size. I think we've reached a time in our hobby where the twice-up vs. small size rule no longer applies. One can point to the ASM 328 cover, which is small size, that is the current high price record holder, but I've heard some old time collector chatter that the McFarlane market is the exception to this rule. To illustrate my point, I'd like to focus on the TALES OF SUSPENSE 97 splash by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. This piece sold for $68,712.50 at the same Heritage auction in July as the McFarlane and was the single highest price paid for a Captain America Kirby splash to date. The thing is, this particular splash is a small size piece of artwork. Yes, the image is a nice large image of Cap in action--certainly highly desirable from a collectors POV. But, again, this is a small size piece! Before this sale, no Kirby Cap splash, small or large, had ever sold for more than 50k. We are in a new period where image is king and size doesn't much matter anymore. We're all flying without a net now. It's a brave new world, and we better figure out what the BEST pieces are based on IMAGE alone. The old size rules just don't apply!
Link to Heritage auction:
http://tinyurl.com/cmpd65u
Perfect Point Glen! I would also say that the original art in question , no matter what size or shapeor action is "drying Up" as a result of TV shows ( Hollywood treasures.. etc) as well as Ebay and all the methods of sale ( heritage etc..)and people are willing to pay crazy money "just" to say they have one!
ReplyDeleteSomeone also mentioned to me that there are a number of high end collectors coming into the hobby from China.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you: Content is King! What's on the page is more important than the height and the width!
ReplyDeletei had no ideal china was a major player in high in art. make me wonder on the new prices on silver and bronze age art now,
ReplyDelete20,000 is the new 10,000. :)
ReplyDeleteSize becomes a more important factor when you're comparing two items in person. If you're only bidding on a single piece in an auction house the consideration of size tends to get overlooked and the image becomes the paramount issue. So it's not that size is totally irrelevant, I think it's the changing nature of how people are buying. Also, it's conceivable that if new blood is entering this market that they're uninformed that differences even exist or exactly when they occurred...information that otherwise would have an impact on their choices. I know of several collectors who upon pre-viewing the TOS #97 in San Diego were disappointed that it was only small size art.
ReplyDeleteAll the more reason why it's important to see the piece in person before bidding at these prices. And, yes, if you're new to the hobby you owe it to yourself to become informed about your choices before bidding on the item that's in front of you at auction-- it will save you money and heartache.
ReplyDeleteComing from the UK, I'm a big fan of Frank Hamspon's DAN DARE strip. Over the years, I've had about 100 DARE originals pass through my hands. My favorite Hampson originals are from the latter-half of the strip. Majority of these were illustrated 'same size' (same size as publication).
ReplyDeleteI agree that, in US art, the size can be impressive. But I've always been more focused on the quality of the work.
Big ain't necessarily beautiful.
Terry Doyle
http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryDetail.asp?GCat=1865
Size matters but it is not #1 by any means...quality image is first for sure
ReplyDeleteWould be great to have a Marvel style "What-if" scenario where that image is available in both sizes - we could agree the 2X size would go for more but I agree not 3:1 anymore
I can't agree that quality image is always the #1 factor in all cases. Even the most mediocre pg. taken from Amazing Fantasy 15 would likely trump the best quality image from another story stacked against it. The historical nature/merit of the page or story to the importance of your comic universe is yet another factor you must consider. It so happens that all of the key stories from Marvel's early formative years were drawn on large art.
DeleteAll bets are off when you're talking about key books and historical stories. I'm just pointing out that the new breed of collector tends to focus on the Image first. For the most part, it is the more seasoned collector that pays attention to the size of the art.
DeleteIf you could sign you name to your post I would know who I'm talking to. Thanks!
I think "uninformed" collectors may be a factor. I myself, being based in Europe, have never seen a "twice up" page (are they really twice the size?), and therefore would not be able to price in the difference. In this case, I think there were a couple more factors. First, this is a truly spectacular piece. Second, with all the recent controversy about unpublishd Kirby art, Kirby collectors are probably refocusing (rightly, IMHO) on prime published examples.
ReplyDeleteCarlo Michelini
I'm shocked, Carlo, as I certain consider you a veteran of OA. I'll have to do a definition of terms post at some point. Generally speaking, small size is 11x17 and Twice-up is about 14x20--although late size can vary and be greater than this as well as a little smaller. I think the term twice up refers to the area of the art--not that it is two times the size.
Delete"Twice up" = twice actual publication size.
DeleteI'd call 11x17 "modern size" and reserve "small size" for the new 9x14 pages such as Adlard's Walking Dead.
Deleteeven "modern size" may be in danger as a term due to digital work being done, sadly
DeleteMike Niederer
doxbane(a)gmail.com
OA is truly about to break into the next frontier.
ReplyDeleteMetropolis as the buyer of the McFarlane is what they call a good omen.
Welcome aboard, Matthew. If you send me a scan of that wonderful 2x 46 cover, I'll post it with a bunch of other beautiful pieces of art I have planned.
ReplyDelete;)
DeletePerhaps Glen perhaps
I remember you always being so bullish on the hobby. The way things are turning out you just might have been bearish. :)
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteI know what this stuff is Glen. People are going to regret having traded things as much as they have.
....they called me a mere PUMPER. Lolasaurusrex! Like anyone could really move a market with their enthusiasm? So misunderstood. :(
KK