Assume you, as a comic book collector, from childhood, have found a gem of a comic book. You`ve saved up to acquire this one for your personal collection, or perhaps (if you can afford it) 2 of the same issue.
In this case Fantastic Four No. #1 in either very fine or near-mint condition.
So you either purchase it through a (usu. reputable) on line seller, or 2 different sellers. So the last thing you want is the seller taking the comic book out of the protective bag and either flipping through the pages or soiling it with his or her greasy fingers.
But there are comic book dealers and shops that do this sort of thing all the time, and without your knowledge once you`ve purchased the comic.
They do this to take pictures of the inner pages or flip through the pages, while eating! With older comic books of genuine antiquity, this is a definite no-no among comic book collectors and shows that the dealer is not concerned with the sentimental value of the comic book with respect to the buyer or avid collector.
In addition to this -it`s rude.
A real collector knows that comic books of a more delicate nature are more likely to encounter oxidation with more protection and that exposure to air after too much protection can actually devalue the comic book over time.
Real collectors know from childhood and experience that, one doesn`t even touch an older comic of value, unless he or she has 2 or 3 extra copies. (one for collecting (which is never touched but cared for in his or her personal collection), one for "gentle reading or viewing", and the third for selling (perhaps now or at some future point) or grading through cgc.
The rule of thumb with buyers is
One : NEVER TAKE THE COMIC BOOK OUT OF THE PROTECTIVE BAG OR CGC ENCASING.
Two: NEVER REMOVE AND THEN RETURN A COMIC BOOK FOR TAKING PICTURE OF THE INNER PAGES.
Why?
Because it can enrage the buyer for one, and second anything can happen if you do this - an earthquake could happen...or you could unintentionally tear a page....it could be accidentally dropped, your cat might jump up.
Even if such things are highly unlikely to occur, a supposed comic book shop keeper - (I say keeper as opposed to dealer simply because comics DO have sentimental value to THOUSANDS of collectors) especially key issues as exemplified above. Plus the monetary value.
Many comic book shop owners simply do not care either way, and these are the type of in-sensitives to avoid because they ruin the comic book experience for everyone.
You just don`t do it...plain and simple. And I can bet that there are hundreds of sellers too who don`t even have a clue as to what it means to be a comic book collector - you can see it in how they list the comics they sell on eaby, amazon or other -the title says it all and comic book collectors can identify with this right away and will move on to a better description especially if the title is incomplete of vital information.
Why is this and other handling techniques so important to avid comic book collectors and enthusiasts alike?
Go ahead, ask them about their favorite issues.. and they can describe to you in detail what happened in the story, the plot, how it affected the characters, the artist, writers and any other stunning detail that you may have not known, and what particular issues are of more importance than other issues with respect to the characters as a whole.
This will literally raise your eyebrows, because a comic book collector can be anyone, from that maintenance guy you see every day, to a well-known celebrity. Some began years ago, others from childhood.
Mine was from childhood, so don`t touch my stack jack, and "IF" I let you, you`d better be Damn Careful in reading it - and handling it - because it has sentimental value to me, so use your thumb and index finder only to read it -and on a flat surface with with no drinks! - Oh, and by the way - better put on that radioactive suit just to be safe.
THIS IS how sensitive some people are about their comics, they spent a Lotta time investing in them and they don`t want the collection ruined.
Of course this means stashing valuable comics away from the hands of kids who may damage the items of particular value -because we all know kids and what they can do to the comics they are too young to appreciate.
OH MY GOD! M..MY ACTION COMICS NO#1 WAS WRITTEN INSIDE WITH CRAYON NO 9! PINK!
In a way comic collectors are similar to Gollum from lord of The Rings - our comics are "precious", so mishandling them is extremely rude to the collector, insensitive. Its the same with antiques, break it - and your liable. On the other end of the spectrum, there are amazing comic shops that do a fantastic job, dealing with customers!
Why? - (I love this question).
Because they can relate - and they are collectors themselves; not that every issue will be sucked up by them that you every wished for and completely vanishing from access -but, for me, my entire collection was sold off...and now those same comics could have yielded me a fortune!
Sorry, my fault. I should have realized that the now ex-friend couldn't be trusted with the collection, (at the time I was financially destitute - because he never really cared about how I felt about it (what a creep eh?); - But if I sold off his Beer can collection..oh Boy! Would he ever be pissed! fact is he gave them to his little brother and he sold them..what a bunch of peniswadds! I can give you his facebook page if you like...
If you don`t comprehend this concept - then you shouldn't even be in the business of selling comics or collecting comics...try poker.
Mishandling comics, weather by a "keeper of the books" or a money-grubby online seller who doesn`t care how the comic-(s) arrive or are shipped reveals that such sellers are only out for one thing...cash!
For real collectors, our comics are precious and have more than monetary value, they have sentimental value too, so handle with care!
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