The state of the market in the early 80’s ?

Different scans of the Treasures of the Drawn Strip (BDM) from 1981-1982. A small nugget to rediscover for some and to discover for others! Obviously the odds are in French and Belgian Francs..

"INTRODUCTION *

Market evolution

The evolution of the quotations of a given collection always follows the same pattern: first there is a latent period during which the items are sought-after, and stagnate at a very low price, while being quite rare: this period is only discovered when it is over (e.g. Les Yeux du chat. Possible examples include Pif-Gadget, pockets, Tintin Hebdoptimiste, Humanoides first editions...

A second, very rapid, period saw a dramatic rise in prices: in a matter of months, or even weeks, collectors flocked to items they had scorned only a short time before: a typical example is the collection of the Pilote newspaper. This is followed by a period of calm, which can last for several years: prices stabilise and rise only slightly.
At this time, there were phases of recovery, corresponding to the arrival of a new generation of collectors who were jostling their elders sitting on their complete collections. This was the case for Avant-Guerre (Robinson, Mickey, Aventures, Aventureux, etc.), Dupuis-Lombard albums and Tintin albums. We don't really know of any examples of "dead" stock, completely eaten away by inflation: the illustrated albums of the first generation, which contain treasures (see CBD no. 18), are among the most forgotten. They are, however, frequently acquired by the few Very Large Collectors, those who do Everything, shaving the walls in the shadows to avoid the curious.

Let us give in a few lines the most significant changes.

The market was marked by the surge in new Tintin B & W sales in France. Faced with the sudden rise in prices, due to the rarity of these items (two or three were sent to each convention and that was it), many intermediaries suddenly sold their collections, bringing transactions to an understandable halt: more than fifty Tintin N & Bs flooded into Paris in one month!
However, albums in mint condition have remained impossible to find, and collectors have logically segregated the market according to condition. Tintin in the Land of the Soviets is still impossible to find, as are Congo Petit Vingtième and Amérique Petit Vingtième. Please refer to the description of Tintins in the albums section.
The Dupuis-Lombard market is back on track, with a number of traditional stars regaining the interest of collectors who had been scared off by countless reprints. B & W reissues have now come to a halt, and those published by other publishers (apart from Dupuis and Fleurus) are sufficiently different to preserve the character of the original edition. These include albums by Corentin, Blake and Mortimer, Pom and Teddy, the Chevalier Blanc and Vincent Larcher. The Dupuis and Fleurs albums are holding their own, despite a festival of perfect reprints.

Recovery also sustained on the sector of Hachette albums, where Félix the Cat, Mickey, Bicot, Zig and Puce are again sought after.
Bécassine from Gautier-Languereau, the Pat'Apouf albums from Bonne Presse, Nane from Gautier-Languereau, Frimousset and Grassouillet are all very popular.
The Pieds-Nickelés and Bibi Fricotin collections, especially the unobtainable pre-war editions, remain popular themes for collections.
Spectacular rise of the Lyon editions: Fantax (totally unavailable), Big Bill the breaker Brick. Yak. etc.

The Ulysse, Grandes Odyssées and Sélection Prouesses books are in great demand, while Artima's leading collections are taking off like wildfire.
With regard to the newspapers Increase selective on Tintin and Spirou, mainly concerning the collections after 40 for Spirou and the very first Tintin papers (before no. 150). Pilot and Mickey flying after the war.

Stagnation on Catholic newspapers except in publisher bindings remained rare. Good holding of Coq-Hardi and Vaillant
In the newspapers of the Golden Age, the collection heads of Aventures and Aventureux are as sought-after as ever. In general, Aventureux is doing well. The Hurrah! and Junior issues have slowed down, but Mickey avant guerre and Robinson have picked up considerably. No. 296 of Mickey is still impossible to find.
A tough market for the first generation, with Epatant resisting the gloomy climate. In this sector, there is a clear preference for publisher's bindings.

How to buy, how to sell ?

Old comics can be found everywhere: flea markets are foamed by brokers, and only the provincial granaries still contain treasures, mainly from the Golden Age.
We give in the catalogue a list of many places where you can find comics, antiques but also some large bookshops.

There are many sales lists of individuals: during agreements, successful address exchanges are made between collectors. Classifieds allow to enter contact with new collectors: recall the section of the Collector of bands free ads reserved for subscribers.
The advertisements in this book also give a set of trusted addresses.

To buy :
Avoid (except in exceptional cases) rushing on a single collection. It is better to accumulate the Dream opportunities as prey to those who know too much about your search list. Avoid unnecessary discussions about a correct price: many merchants practice 10% to their good customers, very rarely more.
Avoid very damaged albums that have a very questionable resale or exchange value better the good or very good condition.
Those looking for a new condition should expect a significant premium.

To sell :
Sort his collection according to the degrees of rarity and odds in three categories: the beautiful pieces, good parts and unmarketable merchandise.
It is clear that on a sales list the beautiful parts leave faster than the bad ones, next to equals. A too fast sale skims the best and leaves the rest to the collector. Example typical: the Tintin collection in fascicles, where only the first 150 fascicles are really sought, and the rest too common.

Three solutions are then possible :
– Selling to a direct and quick dealer;
- Sale under contract, on announcement, on deposit
- The auction (Delavenne and Lafarge held two sales in Paris) (1).

Do you have to insure his collection?
Last year, many burglaries were reported in France for the comic book.
is possible to insure a collection by contacting an insurance agent who will a company responsible for the collection. An expert census will probably An armoured door is often requested by the insurer.”

* Introduction of the Treasures of Comics, third years 1981-1982.