Tales of Suspense 39 - 1st app of Iron Man - Key issue in the Marvel Universe

	£		842
	$		1,422

I’m continuing to sell  a variety of comics, this one is from the Silver Age.  I'm going to sell some comics from The Tales of Suspense series, the early comics from this series are low grade, reading copies but condition of each comic does vary, so see comments below. Please also see the scans, to help judge the condition for yourself. I've had these comics for quite a few years and I'm sad to see them go, especially this issue which is a major key - the first appearance of Iron Man. But I’m trying to thin down my collection to create a little more space.

This Auction is auction is for: Tales of Suspense 39 - 1st app of Iron Man - Key issue in the Marvel Universe. First Iron Man story has Jack Kirby layouts. Pence Copy.

Estimate grade around - gd/+ (good to good+)  - this is quite a reasonable low grade comic and lies quite flat and is not as unattractive as many low grade comics are. It is complete with no missing pages or cut outs.

Positive points

• No pieces missing
• Lies flat, with no apparent spine roll
• No tape on the cover or inside
• Inside is reasonable clean and the story is easily readable (not all creased - see scans).
• No missing pages or cut outs
• Both staples attached
• Edges are pretty tidy for a low grade comic
• Spine is quite solid (but worn)
• Pages not brittle

Negative points

• Some pen marks on the front cover (on and by boots in the top picture)
• Lots of pen marks on the back cover (see scan)
• There is some pen lines/marks inside (most shown in scans)
• A couple of tears to inside pages (largest - 4" or so, shown in scan- 4th scan, bottom of 2nd page)
• Some crease and stains on covers
• Staples just starting to rust

About Grading

Grading can be so subjective (I just have to look at the range of grades given to the various comics that I’ve bought off ebay) but I’ve given an estimate grade which I hope will be helpful.  I've also given the Overstreet Grading criteria for comics around this grade below. Please look at the scans to help judge the condition/grade for yourself. Please do ask questions and I'll help if I can.

3.0 GOOD (GD/VG): A used comic book showing some substantial wear. Cover shows significant wear and may be loose or even be detached at one staple. Cover reflectivity is very low. Can have a book length crease and/or dimples. Corners may be blunted or even rounded. Discolouration, fading, foxing and even minor to moderate soiling, is allowed. A triangle from ¼” to ½” can be missing out of the corner or edge, a missing 1/8”  to ¼” square is also acceptable. Tape and other amateur repair may be present. Moderate spine roll likely. May have a spine split anywhere from 1” to 1½”. Staples may be rusted or replaced. Minor to moderate staple tears and moderate stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Centrefold may be loose or detached at one staple. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present.

2.5 GOOD+ (GD+): Fits the criteria for Good but with an additional virtue or small accumulation of virtues that improves the book’s appearance by a perceptible amount.

2.0 GOOD (GD): Shows substantial wear, often considered a ‘reading copy’. Cover shows significant wear and may even be detached. Cover reflectivity is low and in some cases completely absent. Book length creases and dimples may be present. Rounded corners are more common. Moderate soiling, staining, discolouration and foxing may be present. The largest piece allowed missing from the front or back cover is usually a ½” triangle or a ¼” square, although some Silver Age books such as 1960s Marvels have had the price corner box clipped from the top left hand corner and may be considered Good if they would have otherwise graded higher. Tape and other forms of amateur repair are common in Silver Age and older books. Spine roll is likely. May have up to a 2” spine split. Staples may be degraded, replaced or missing. Moderate staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Centrefold may be loose or detached. Moderate interior tears may be present.

1.8 GOOD- (GD-): Fits the criteria for Good but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book’s appearance by a perceptible amount.

1.5 FAIR/GOOD (FR/GD): A comic showing substantial to heavy wear. A copy in this grade still has all the pages and covers, although there may be pieces missing up to and including missing coupons and/or Marvel Value Stamp that do not impact on the story.

Books in this grade are commonly creased, scuffed, abraded, soiled and possibly unattractive, but generally readable. Cover shows considerable wear and may be detached. Nearly no reflectivity to no reflectivity remaining. Store stamps, name stamp, arrival date and initials are permitted. Book-length creases, tears and folds may be present. Rounded corners are increasingly common. Soiling, staining, discolouration and foxing is generally present. Up to 1/10 of the back cover may be missing. Tape and other forms of amateur repair are increasingly common in Silver Age and older books. Spine roll is common. May have a spine split between 2” and 2/3 of the length of the book.  Staples may be degraded, replaced or missing. Staple tears and stress lines are common, as well as rust migration. Paper is brown and may show brittleness around the edges. Acidic odour may be present. Centrefold may be loose or detached. Interior tears are common.

Will be  £8 by Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm postage