Why Did We Discard Our Early 60s Comic Books and Lost Their Potential Value?

Introduction

Many of us grew up in the 1950s and 60s, eagerly devouring comic books, football cards, and other collectibles. But for many households, these items were often seen as mere junk, taking up space and having little to no value. We often discarded them without a second thought, not realizing their potential worth today. In this article, we will explore how early 60s comic books could have been a valuable find, and what factors contribute to their current value.

The Rarity of Pre-1960 Comic Books

Rarity Equals Value

Comic books are valuable based on their rarity. The fewer copies in existence, the higher their value. For example, comic books from the 1980s and 1990s are essentially worthless today because they were collected and preserved in perfect condition, leading to hundreds of thousands of copies of every issue. This means that even a perfectly preserved comic book might be worth less than the paper it’s printed on.

Parental Interpretation of Collectibles

Parental Perspective on Collectibles

Parents, particularly our mothers, often saw comic books and sports cards as nothing more than junk. In the 1950s and 1960s, these items were not highly valued, and many households would simply discard them. As a result, it’s estimated that millions of valuable early comic books have been lost over the years. However, this mindset is changing, and many individuals are now recognizing these items as precious treasures.

Personal Reflections on Lost Collectibles

Personal Experiences and Insights

As someone who had comic books and sports cards from the 1960s, I can attest to the irony of this situation. I remember my older brother having a Bobby Orr rookie card, which could have been worth a significant amount of money. Instead, we discarded these items without a second thought, not realizing their potential value.

Valuable Early Comics from the 1930s and 1960s

Significant Comic Books from the 1930s and 1960s

Despite the loss of many early comic books, there are still significant finds from this era. For instance, a 1939 issue of Blue Beetle could be worth as much as $3000 in less than mint condition on eBay. Similarly, a copy of my 1939 issue graded "Very Good" would not even reach that value. These comics are valuable not only because of their age but also due to their unique characteristics, such as the artist or writer involved.

Comics from the early 1960s, such as those published by Charlton Comics, can also be highly valuable. For instance, the second Blue Beetle featured art by Steve Ditko, the same artist who co-created Spider-Man. This artistic connection makes the comic books even more valuable to collectors today.

Factors Contributing to Comic Book Value

Artists, Writers, and Print Runs

There are several factors that contribute to the value of comic books. These include the artist or writer who created the issue, the rarity of the book, and the print run. For example, comics from the late 1930s, when costumed characters were popular, were often highly sought after. Additionally, early comics from the 1960s, such as those from Charlton Comics, were not as common as later editions, making them more valuable.

In conclusion, many of us may have discarded valuable early 60s comic books without realizing their potential worth. Today, these items are highly valuable due to their rarity and the artists or writers involved. It's important to recognize the significance of these comics and other collectibles from our childhood.