Expert: Chris Brown - 6/27/2008

Question
I have my first husband's comic collection.  They have been kept in individual bags for the last 25 years.  Based on the grading scales that I have found in the all Experts, I would judge these to be good to fine. There are two Mad Comics #15,and #24; a Mutt and Jeff #82; Walt Disney Donald Duck #179 and #200 and Dennis the Menace, dated 1973.  In addition, there are three Classics Illustrated #9,#26 and #99.  And finally, there are five Dick Tracy comics, #45,#68,#71,#77 and#109.  Two more Dick Tracys have no covers.  I know nothing about comics and have trouble getting out of my home.  I would like to know if any of these are worth having graded professionally.  Are any of great value?  I saw the Dick Tracy #71 advertised on EBay for $239.00.  Any help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Carol

These issues are definitely worth keeping, or selling if you have no interest in them.  However, they won't be anything to fund your retirement.

The Mad 15 and 24 are the most valuable.  In Good condition, #15 has a price guide value of $47 and the 24 has a listed value of $97.  If in better than good condition, they would list at 2 to 3 times those amounts.  You would probably expect to get somewhere around 40% to 80% of price guide prices if you sold on eBay.

The Donald Ducks and Dennis the Menace are more recent issues from the 70s that would probably be valued in the $2 to $5 range.

The Dick Tracy issues have some value but are not in high demand.  I can't advise on the DT 71 price you mention--it sounds very high.  Could have been either a very high-grade issue or a seller with an unreasonable notion of what the comic is worth.  These issues would have a price guide value of about $10 each in Good.  The coverless issues would just be worth a dollar or two each as reading copies.

As to Classics, these issues were reprinted many times.  Your #9 and #26 are later editions, since the early editions said "Classic Comics" on the cover.  #99, if a first edition, would be worth about $10 in Good.  If a later edition, $2 or $3 dollars.

I would not recommend having any of these professionally graded.

Chris