Amazing Spider-man #1 Bethlehem CGC 9.4 (SP) Off-White
Seller: on-safari(142) Final Tally: $16,899.00
Here's the description:
"Amazing Spider-Man #1 Bethlehem CGC NM 9.4 – Off-White Pages
This auction is for a CGC Graded Near Mint 9.4 copy of The Amazing Spider-Man #1. This Near Mint copy of The Amazing Spider-Man #1 is the pedigree from the famed Bethlehem Collection. The Bethlehem Collection comic books contain some notable identifiable characteristics—most books have incredible gloss, revealing brilliant ink reflectivity and bright colors which can be seen in the images below. Bethlehem issues from the 1960s were also imprinted on the front, or back cover with a small typed arrival date. This book’s arrival date was DEC 12, 1962 (see pictures). To find out more about the Bethlehem Collection, please click on this informative link:
http://www.comiccollectors.net/pedigree_bethlehem.php
As of 2/9/2005, according to the CGC Census, this copy of ASM #1 is 1 of 12 existing in Near Mint 9.4 condition or better. Of the existing 12 copies, 9 are unrestored and 3 are restored. This is the only restored copy to be labeled with only slight professional restoration (read more on restoration below). Use this link to search for the details:
http://www.cgccomics.com/poplookup/
This copy has had slight professional (with the emphasis on slight and professional) restoration performed on it, namely 2 very small tear seals and it was cleaned and pressed. This copy is 99.9% original—it does not have any pieces added, no color touch, no trimming or any “worse” form of restoration.
The very small tear seals, which are a form of preservation rather than restoration, are invisible to the naked eye and could not be detected by myself, the high-grade collector from whom I acquired the book, nor a notable and respected dealer. The cleaning and pressing of this book is probably the least amount of restoration one could perform on a book, simply to bring out its natural brilliance—hence the designation of slight professional restoration.
It is my understanding that the very small tear seals can be professionally undone, leaving only the cleaning and pressing as the least possible form of restoration done to this magnificent pedigree book. It is also my considered opinion that many books that have been cleaned and/or pressed have made it through the grading process without receiving the restoration label at all. Nevertheless, this book is certainly among the most famous of all ASM #1s and is easily identifiable by its date stamp as the one and only Bethlehem Collection pedigree.
If you are unwilling to pay $100,000-plus for an unrestored Near Mint 9.4 copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1, then add this pristine book to your collection.
Below is the grade, page quality, and images of the front and back cover, date stamp, and CGC label for this book. If you would like high-res scans of these pictures, or further details, please use the “Ask seller a question” link on this page.
Title
Issue
Grade
Page Quality
Amazing Spider-Man
1
CGC NM 9.4
Off-White Pages
For the purpose of certification and authenticity, I have also registered this book and the AF 15 CGC 7.5 unrestored book I am putting up for auction with the CGC Registry. See link below for details:
http://www.collectors-society.com/registry/comics/set_detail.asp?PeopleSetID=1375"
One note: A blue label ASM #1 isn't a $100,000 book. That's a 2X exaggeration.
Another note: This book just beat out Mark Zaid's Superman #2 which sold for $15,500 (a $4000 profit in just under a year.)