Expert: Chris Brown - 2/8/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have 22 different and one duplicate 'comic book" by Terry Thorne, copyright 1951. All except two are in excellent condition. One has a bent corner and a nick along the bottom cover. The other has two tears (along top edge and right edge). They are printed on differently-colored papers.What can you tell me about them? Are they originals and do they have any value?

ANSWER:
Sorry I am not familiar with "Terry Thorne comics."  That does not seem to be the title, as I can't find any reference to such a comic anywhere.  Is Terry Thorne the name of the author?  Are these in standard comic-book format?  Do they have sequential artwork inside?  Were they printed in the United States?



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Not sure if Terry Thorne is an author or an artist. They are very small-about 2.25" x 3.25". One title is "Belly Laffs," and when I check on ebay, I get information that they were produced by Bulco and distributed by Greyko.I do not find this information printed anywhere. It only says "copyright 1951 by Terry Thorne. Printed in the United States of America." The photo is not identical to what I have, but mine have a copyright date of 1951. They say mid 40's.The attached image shows all 23 comics that I have. I can send additional images if you would like. I have 22 different titles. I would say they are more of a collection of comics in each book. They are not a "story." SORRY-FORGOT TO ATTACH!

Answer
Hi Linda

These look like something that some industrious person cranked out on a printing press rather than any mainstream publication.  

There is no established price for this type of material, nor any clear market of interested buyers.  If you can find something interesting in the contents, you might generate some interest.  What you find would dictate how much value you might be able to get.  Things to look for would include drawings of celebrities or comic characters, x-rated images (seriously x-rated, not cutesy sexual references), exceptionally good artwork--just to name a few possibilities.

I would guess you might be able to get $5 each if there is noteworthy material, maybe up to $10 or $20 if you find something really off-the-cuff that might pique someone's interest, say a bawdy Mickey Mouse.  Otherwise, I'm not sure the whole set would sell for more than $10 or $20.  But this is all just guesswork really.

Chris