Expert: Chris Brown - 6/27/2007

Question
I appreciate you taking the time to read my question.  My grandfather bought a house about 15 years ago and found some comics in the attic that he gave to me.  Included, was the entire 1976 Peter Parker the Spectacular Spiderman series, all 250 plus of them.  They are all backboards and covered.  Do you have any idea what these might be worth.  I've looked everywhere and the lots on most sites are only a few of the series.  I know this is a difficult question, I'm just looking for an educated estimate.  Thanks again in advance.

Answer
Hi Jason

Condition is important in determining the value of any comic.  If all of these comics are in mint, "like new" condition, they would have some value.  The most valuable, according to the comics price guide, are #1: $65, #27: $45, #28: $35, #2: $25, #6-8: $20, #3-5: $18, #64: $15, #9-20: $12.  Most other issues are in the $3 to $5 range.  These are retail values assuming they are in mint condition.  If in typical worn condition, they would retail for a fraction of these amounts.

However, comics from the 70s and 80s are pretty readily available.  Unless they are in mint condition, you probably would not have an easy time selling them.  It would be worth listing them on eBay, or calling around to local comic shops, but you may end up getting less than $1 each for most of them.

Chris