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Seller insists that this Mr. Natural #1 is a first print, pic. shows an obvious 4th print.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280156257828&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

Never mind, Auction pulled.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280175610449&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Questionable as "1st book publication" of a not very good condition 2nd print with 3,000 copies printed.

States 1st or 2nd print, but the 75 cent cover price signifies a 7th print.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320190916946&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Auction states 2nd print, but seller says no "printed by..." on back cover.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170175562198

Quote from: 50Cent #II (1st print) on December 03, 2007, 10:50:40 PM
Auction states 2nd print, but seller says no "printed by..." on back cover.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170175562198

It's not orange enough to be a 2nd (Donahue), anyway.

Here's one, this copy of Mr. Natural #1 has been bid up to $150 even though it's NOT a 1st printing:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370000498898

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BIG-ASS-COMICS-VG-FN-FIRST-PRINT-R-CRUMB-1969_W0QQitemZ170161559501QQihZ007QQcategoryZ64756QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
This U.K. seller has 3 .75 cent cover price UG's listed as 1st prints...

How can I tell a first print of Natch 1? I'm the apparent sucker who paid too much...
Thanks 50C...

Quote from: foont on December 06, 2007, 02:31:31 AM
How can I tell a first print of Natch 1? I'm the apparent sucker who paid too much...
Thanks 50C...

Now that's class.  Give this man two Karma points for being both honest, curious, and a seeker of knowledge.

Quote from: foont on December 06, 2007, 02:31:31 AM
How can I tell a first print of Natch 1? I'm the apparent sucker who paid too much...
Thanks 50C...

Well, if you haven't paid yet, I would notify the seller that you have discovered this comic is NOT a first printing, so his listing was inaccurate. It's up to you, of course but if you based your buying price on it being a 1st, I wouldn't pay for it.

Ok, there are actually two tells that gave this away to me. There is also a tell inside the book. The first one is an older one, the back cover art is different between the 1st and 2nd and later printings. Here's a picture so you can see for yourself:

(https://headcomix.info/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ugcomix.info%2Fguide%2Ftells%2Fparts1329%2Fback-w-ruler.jpg&hash=010f7912150a1dd45d47a73ee330447d3de85638)

As you can see, the 1st and 2nd have a significant border at the bottom, while later printings do not.

Another tell is on the front cover, though I don't have a photo comparison for it. The border on the left side at the spine. On a 1st print, it ends at the bottom of the book by looking very faded, it almost completely disappears. On all other printings, it goes completely to the bottom of the book and is NOT faded. Thanks to over40 for discovering this tell.

Hope this helps!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Freak-brothers-no1-Nearly-perfect-condition_W0QQitemZ280181564822QQihZ018QQcategoryZ155272QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This seems a little fishy, but I asked this guy for a larger scan, since it didn't show a cover price (just a white dot) and now he's put up another scan of a different copy.  Just a little warning...

Quote from: 50Cent #II (1st print) on December 08, 2007, 03:12:40 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/Freak-brothers-no1-Nearly-perfect-condition_W0QQitemZ280181564822QQihZ018QQcategoryZ155272QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This seems a little fishy, but I asked this guy for a larger scan, since it didn't show a cover price (just a white dot) and now he's put up another scan of a different copy.  Just a little warning...

I won't bid on it, but sadly, someone else will. The guy has four feedbecks as a seller, with one already being a negative. I'll pass...

Y'better hurry before this one gets modified.  I caught this seller lifting an entire page from my site...

eBay Greag Diggs of 77 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190182513723)

Of course, the comix cover that displayed there was my "Its not nice to hotlink my images" image.  My hackles went up and I e-mailed the fellow...

QuoteNot only are you trying to steal my images, you've actually hijacked the code from my site.

You WILL remove all the HTML code you've stolen from my website, including the stolen image.  If you have not complied within 24 hours, I will take this matter directly to eBay.

Sir Real
http://sirrealcomix.mrainey.com/

I got a response back fairly quickly...

QuoteI am the one you just e-mailed through Ebay, wondering if you got my e-mail response. I did not or do not want to hijack anything. I don't know what you mean by stole your code. I went into the auction and deleted the photo of diggs77. Is it ok to tranfer the info to my autions, the only reason I was doing that was to save me the time of having to type everything in. I will not use the images or codes if you tell me how to not have the code copied.

I then replied thusly...

QuoteSorry about the heavy-handed message.  Some eBay sellers do not sound quite as reasonable as yourself.  I don't mind someone lifting the images from my site.  There's not a whole lot I can do about that, and it doesn't concern me very much.  However, hotlinking is not allowed from my site.

Also, I don't mind copying the code from my site, but you need to remove the hyperlinks that are directly linking to my site.  Specifically the TOUANC Price Guide link, and the Great Diggs #2 & Greatest Diggs of All Time links.  This would give the potential buyer the impression that it is ME that is selling the item.

It will be interesting to see what he does.

Whoops!  He's already made the changes.

Quote from: Sir Real on December 10, 2007, 06:45:58 PM
Y'better hurry before this one gets modified.  I caught this seller lifting an entire page from my site...

eBay Greag Diggs of 77 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190182513723)

I don't know if you recall, but I mentioned this seller to you before over on the other board. They've been doing this for a while.

Here's the thread from the other board:

http://www.comicspriceguide.com/forum2/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=36564

Quote from: Brother J on December 10, 2007, 07:22:07 PMI don't know if you recall, but I mentioned this seller to you before over on the other board. They've been doing this for a while.

LOL!  Now I know why I didn't remember this.   :smokin:   I was feeling way too mellow at the time.

Really a first print?  I never got a response from the seller...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Zap-2-VF-1st-print_W0QQitemZ140189707777QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3979QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Not a first print as advertised.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Bijou-Funnies-3-1972-1st-Printing-Underground-Comic_W0QQitemZ270048550635QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3979QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m118

Title states 2nd edition with Hairline in Z on a Zap Comix #0?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Zap-No-0-35-cent-Second-Eddition-Hairline-in-Z_W0QQitemZ260198733153QQihZ016QQcategoryZ64QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m118

Title states "First Printing" but description is correct in stating third printing...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Slow-Death-Funnies-No-2-First-Printing_W0QQitemZ160090589701QQihZ006QQcategoryZ35775QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m118
same here...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Slow-Death-Funnies-No-1-First-Edition_W0QQitemZ160090589702QQihZ006QQcategoryZ35775QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m118

Seller states FB #1 is a 1st print which is obviously isn't.
http://cgi.ebay.com/FABULOUS-FURRY-FREAK-BROTHERS-1-4-BRONZE-AGE-CLASSICS_W0QQitemZ150203213192QQihZ005QQcategoryZ12589QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Another "FB #1 (1st print)"
http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Fabulous-Furry-Freak-Brothers-Comic-1-71_W0QQitemZ350017507381QQihZ022QQcategoryZ12591QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Obviously not a first print...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230216219459&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Uh oh, looks like amazing-adventures doesn't know the difference between a 1st and 2nd print of Fat Freddy's Cat #1 (or is that what 1st Edition is referring too?)...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fat-Freddys-Cat-1-1977-1st-Ed-Rip-Off-Press_W0QQitemZ330182210690QQihZ014QQcategoryZ12589QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

This one has to be a scam:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150212189407

seller has no feedback, has an extremely rare item and won't accept Paypal. Oh boy...

Thanks for posting this, you saved me the time.

I find it odd that the guy created a new account just to sell this item and, as an added bonus, doesn't accept PayPal. He also fails to mention which edition he's selling and appears to be using what looks to be a stock photo (nice drop shadow!).

:eviltongue:

Starting bid 99cent. If i had an ebay account, I'd risk a buck on it.
Probably come back "reserve not met"

Quote from: Comix Junky on February 02, 2008, 10:03:15 PM
Starting bid 99cent. If i had an ebay account, I'd risk a buck on it.
Probably come back "reserve not met"

There's no reserve.

I asked the seller about that Morse's Funnies comic; was it printed on one side or both sides of the interior pages? He replied that it was on both sides, making it a 2nd print (and more desirable than the first print in my mind). He said he got the comic from Morse's wife, who was a friend of his.

Then I asked for a larger photo of the comic book. Two days later, the auction was pulled. Don't know if that was because it was a scam or because he sold it.

It just looked too damn new to be the genuine article, but it seems we'll never know for certain. I'm sure you've all read the warning in Fogel about the 2nd print....

I was hoping to bid on this item.  I had it on my search list and contacted the seller right after it was listed.  Then I saw the post here and thought it was funny that you guys discredit it without checking further.  The seller is Keith Bendis and you can search on google to find out more about this ARTIST.  He offered to let me pick it up if I wanted to in Ancram, NY.  I was willing to take the chance after reading up on who he is.  Jay, isn't this near your neck of the woods.

http://www.keithbendis.com/BENDISintro.html

I would've taken the chance, too, which is why I asked for the larger pic. If he'd sent me anything decent, I'm sure I would've known if it was fake or real. If I thought it was real, I would've gone three or four hundred on it.

I could always dispute it if it had turned out to be fake. But based on what you said about the seller being Keith Bendis, it appears it was real.

Quote from: 50Cent #II (1st print) on February 06, 2008, 03:11:37 AM
Then I saw the post here and thought it was funny that you guys discredit it without checking further. 

I'm not so sure why it's "funny". There are so many people on eBay that are rip off artists that you would be a fool to take anyone at face value on something like this. With the seller not accepting Paypal, you would have had virtually no protection from him stealing your money if it was a scam.

With such a rare item, the seller would have been much smarter to approach Heritage Auctions with something like this if he genuinely wanted to auction it off. I'm guessing he might have listed it on eBay just to advertise that he had it.

Quote from: over40artist on February 06, 2008, 03:26:38 AM

I could always dispute it if it had turned out to be fake. But based on what you said about the seller being Keith Bendis, it appears it was real.

Tell me how you would have disputed it if you had paid the guy with a money order or check. Once he cashes it, he has your money.

i never understood the attraction to MORSE FUNNIES anyways...

but did you get it 50c?

No, the auction was pulled.  I e-mailed him to ask why it was pulled, but haven't gotten a response.

It's back, well I ain't got a chance to win it now so paging the Good Dr. or Bruce.

Quote from: Brother J on February 06, 2008, 12:59:35 PM

Quote from: over40artist on February 06, 2008, 03:26:38 AM

I could always dispute it if it had turned out to be fake. But based on what you said about the seller being Keith Bendis, it appears it was real.

Tell me how you would have disputed it if you had paid the guy with a money order or check. Once he cashes it, he has your money.

When I visited the auction, I saw that he accepted PayPal, so I wasn't worried about it. Maybe he added PayPal after you guys originally noticed the auction. He is offering PayPal now, too.

I noticed he also added the fact that it is a second print to his auction description, so maybe he pulled the auction after I told him it was a second print.

In the days, Morse's Funnies was rare and much desired. The only way you could get  one was from a major collector who was selling out (Shelby Kirsch who made an early checklist, Walter Bachner who published the Das Kampf reprint, and Dave Topliz a big collector) or from artist who had them. I bought copies from  Dan O'Neill and Kim Deitch. Of the 8 that I picked up I only bought one from an other source before the internet
The book sold for about $500 from about 1978 until now. Then Albert law unleashed a slew of them. There were also many counterfeits. With the quantity available (50 from Morse's widow) I would not want to pay more than $200 for resale. $250 if I was pushed. 

I suspect this one is actually a 4th print, due to no rough cut pages and I don't detect any blue or orange spots in the black areas.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110221426134&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001

Ouch, if I'm right then at $62 or more with 40 minutes to go, it might not be a good investment.

Quote from: 50Cent #II (1st print) on February 11, 2008, 02:48:06 AM
Ouch, if I'm right then at $62 or more with 40 minutes to go, it might not be a good investment.

Hmmm, artystyc, who is a member of the board, bid on this book. I wonder if he thought it was a 2nd?

He pulled the Morse's Funnies again.  I don't think he was familiar with Sniping.

This later print is good for a laugh...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ZAP-COMIX-0-AUTOGRAPHED-BY-R-CRUMB-IN-MARCH-1997_W0QQitemZ270123144195QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3966QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Yikes, that's a bit overpriced! I like his comment, "People that know Crumb, know that Crumb rarely signs anything."

I'd buy it now for $19.95, but not $1,995.

I don't think Crumb's signature is as rare as some make it out to be. Not sure if I read this somewhere or what, but I believe he signs stuff for Aline's brother (who lives in France, as well) who then sells them on eBay.

Another one with the centerfold missing.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370036962611

Not really a rip-off, but more a caution.  Alex has listed a Yellow Dog #1 that's signed in high grade, but it's already at $200.  Not so clear is he states it's from the second run...
http://cgi.ebay.com/CRUMB-SIGNED-MINT-COPY-OF-YELLOW-DOG-VOL-1-ISSUE-1_W0QQitemZ260239850889QQihZ016QQcategoryZ3979QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD4VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em124

I let this guy know a few days ago that this was not a 1st print, but a 2nd or 3rd, but no change...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=310072252939