DCML digest #814

[Don Rosa]

> From: "John Crocker" <John.Crocker at student.oc.edu>
> Furthermore, I believe we would lose much if Rosa was forced to let go
> of his own style and conform to randomness

"Conform to randomness"... Wait, wait, let me get my pad and copy that one
down! That's the best oxymoron I've heard all day! Absolutely classic!
I used to describe my work as having "needless and irritating detail", but
from this point hence I shall proudly claim that my style "is replete with
needless and irritating detail, and will *never* conform to randomness"!
Thanks!!!

> From: manningjet at aol.com
> Subject: RE: 1949 best of Donald Duck  #  01
>   I have recently inherited this comic book and it is in excellent shape
for
> being 53 years old.  Is this a rare comic?  Is it very rare ?  Is it
worth
> much ?  I may be interested in selling it.

Two points:
One -- I wish I could implant this idea into the brains of every amateur
seller on eBay, but the expression "good condition for its age" is really
meaningless, particularly to collectors. I have seen 60-year-old comic
books that are in mint condition even though they were never in a stupid
mylar sleeve with a dumb acid-free backing board. Some kids are just very
careful with their stuff, and some stuff just gets lucky during the passage
of time in an attic or dry basement or dark closet. And naturally there are
comics from last March that are now in tatters. Simply because a comic (or
anything) is old does not mean it *should* be in bad shape. (Well, unless
it was made of foam rubber or something which deteriorates on a set
schedule, but anyway...) So, old comics (or, again, anything) must be
judged and described as if they were just printed yesterday... you must
describe it as if it should be perfectly mint, but which way is it *not*
so?
Two -- If that "1949" comic you have is not in such great shape, don't
fret! THE BEST OF DONALD DUCK #1 is a 1965 comic that is reprinting a 1949
story. You imply that it's not in perfect shape... if it's in really good
shape, it's worth about $10 to a dealer. If it's got some little tears and
creases and such, it's worth very little.