Sheena and the Elusive Jumbo Comics #31, Up for Auction

In 1989, comedian e book seller, collector, and inventor of the Mylar Snug Ernie Gerber printed his authentic two-volume The Photo-Journal Guide To Comic Books, which confirmed images of 21,000 comedian books from the Golden Age period, alongside along with his knowledgeable opinion as to their relative rarity as a longtime participant in the enterprise of comedian e book accumulating. The eleven-point Gerber Scarcity Index rated comics from frequent to nonexistent, with Gerber 11 that means identified to be printed however with no copies identified to exist, Gerber 10 designated as lower than 5 identified copies, and a Gerber 9 meant to point 6-10 identified copies.  As a outcome, Gerber 9s and Gerber 10s have been notably coveted by critical collectors for many years.  Jumbo Comics #31 is one pretty well-known instance of a Gerber 9, and there is a Jumbo Comics #31 (Fiction House, 1941) CGC VG- 3.5 Off-white to white pages up for public sale in the 2022 October 13 The Fiction House Showcase Auction #40199 at Heritage Auctions.

There’s been a number of dialogue in the 33 years since the Photo-Journal Guides have been printed as to how effectively the Gerber shortage numbers have held up, notably in the CGC Census period.  Results range, however we have usually discovered that there are considerably extra copies on the market than the Gerber numbers point out throughout the prime finish of the scale.  Take the case of the following (non-exhaustive) checklist of Gerber 9’s, a designation which was meant to point 6-10 identified copies, together with their present variety of entries on the CGC Census:

We’re 22 years into the CGC period, and it appears affordable to imagine {that a} important share of identified copies of most of the broadly-collected Gerber 9s (loosely outlined: Suspense Comics #3 and Catman Comics #13 are broadly collected, whereas Flying Models V61#3 shouldn’t be) have been slabbed.  That stated, it should be famous that CGC Census numbers will not be a wholly correct accounting of what number of copies of these comedian books have been slabbed.  Comics will be cracked out of the slab and resubmitted to CGC for grading once more for quite a lot of causes, leading to inflated census numbers.  Nevertheless, it is secure to say that there are excess of 6-10 copies of Suspense Comics #3 identified to exist.  Of course, Suspense Comics #3 is notorious for having been featured on the cowl of quantity 2 of the Photo-Journal Guide, leading to it coming to the wider consideration of collectors, a frenzy to unearth copies, and costs rising into the stratosphere based mostly on the comedian’s cowl artwork.

As for the remainder of this unscientific sampling, surprisingly sufficient it seems that All-American Comics #4 would possibly certainly be a real Gerber 9 at the least, whereas all of the others right here apart from Suspense Comics #3 are maybe extra in the 10-25 copy vary.  Still loopy uncommon, contemplating these comics have been firmly on the radar of great collectors for many years.  And it seems that Jumbo Comics #16 has faired higher as a Gerber 9 when it comes to low census numbers than many others with that designation.  A uncommon Fiction House comedian e book with a incredible Sheena cowl by Dan Zolnerowich  — and it is an Eldon copy — there is a Jumbo Comics #31 (Fiction House, 1941) CGC VG- 3.5 Off-white to white pages up for public sale in the 2022 October 13 The Fiction House Showcase Auction #40199 at Heritage Auctions. In addition to the objects listed on this submit, you may take a look at Fiction House titles similar to Planet Comics, Jumbo Comics, Jungle Comics, Fight Comics, Rangers Comics, Wings Comics and far more. New to accumulating Fiction House or wish to be taught extra?  Bleeding Cool is doing an ongoing deep dive into the historical past behind Fiction House in the run-up to this public sale. If you’ve got by no means bid at Heritage Auctions earlier than, you may get additional info, you may take a look at their FAQ on the bidding course of and associated issues.

Jumbo Comics #31 (Fiction House, 1941) CGC VG- 3.5 Off-white to white pages. Gerber’s Photo-Journal Guide to Comics charges this subject a “9” that means “very rare.” Sheena cowl. First look of Mars the God of War. Overstreet 2022 VG 4.0 worth = $686. CGC census 10/22: 2 in 3.5, 6 greater.

CGC Grader Notes:
Bottom Spine Spine Split
Left Bottom Back Cover Multiple Crease
Left Top Back Cover Multiple Crease
Right Top Back Cover Piece Out
Spine Moderate Chews
Top Spine Spine Split
Top Staple Added During Manufacturing

View the certification for CGC Certification ID 1157072002.

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