Edgar Church's Basement

Tragedies, Hoaxes, and Tracing Paper: Unpacking Comic Pedigree History

We are setting down the data sheets for a minute and diving straight into the pure lore, mystery, and human tragedy behind the hobby's most famous collections. In Episode 19 of Edgar Church's Basement, I'm opening up my research notebook to workshop a massive upcoming project . We are looking past the sheer market cap of the Mile High collection to examine the 5 to 10 best, most compelling backstories among the 61 CGC-recognized pedigrees . This is a completely extemporaneous run-through of the tales that make these books more than just numbers on a census . We discuss everything from the deeply poignant solace Betty Okajima found in an internment camp , to the tragic, brotherly wartime vow that built the controversial Promise Collection . We also tackle the bizarre true-crime connections of the Green River pedigree , the legendary 15-year mystery of the stolen Davis Crippen "D Copies" , and the jaw-dropping moment a mythological Lamont Larson materialized alive and well at a comic convention decades after everyone assumed he had perished in World War II . Consider this the ultimate historical tasting menu. I want to hear your thoughts in the comments: which of these backstories hits the hardest, which ones am I completely missing, and which legends deserve a standalone, deep-dive documentary treatment down the road ? Grab a coffee, settle into the basement, and let's talk comic history . Don't forget to rate the show on your favorite podcast platform or hit subscribe here on YouTube to help us cross the partner finish line!

Comic Conservation, Restoration (and a Little Love Letter to Third Party Grading)

Is the "Purple Label of Doom" finally a thing of the past? The recent Heritage Signature Auction saw a conserved Action Comics #1 CGC 7.0 realize a staggering $1.4 million, signaling a massive shift in how collectors value conservation vs. restoration. In this episode of the Edgar Church's Basement podcast, I explore the "Catch-22" of the modern hobby: the fear of losing value by performing necessary maintenance on a book. We look at the famous "Rusty Staples" copy of Action #1 and ask the hard questions: Is a "Universal Blue Label" worth it if the book is literally rotting from the inside out? 🎙️ Edgar Church's Basement Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/edgar-churchs-basement/id1872746765 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/edgar-churchs-basement/id1872746765] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IdlxY2AB8ExWRPwzWCIde?si=dd5837d35faa4dee [https://open.spotify.com/show/0IdlxY2AB8ExWRPwzWCIde?si=dd5837d35faa4dee] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/620e2e28-9264-4485-bfad-bcba7471fabf/edgar-church's-basement [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/620e2e28-9264-4485-bfad-bcba7471fabf/edgar-church's-basement] 📊 The Edgar Church Data Project The ultimate resource for tracking the most important pedigree collection in history. Official Site: http://edgarchurchdata.com [http://edgarchurchdata.com] 📝 Deep Dives & Analysis The Main Blog: https://itsalljustcomics.com/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/] The $100,000 Club: https://itsalljustcomics.com/100000-club/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/100000-club/] Timeline of Record Sales: https://itsalljustcomics.com/a-timeline-of-world-record-comic-book-sales/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/a-timeline-of-world-record-comic-book-sales/] Silver Age Key & Pedigree Data: https://itsalljustcomics.com/existence-and-grades-of-silver-age-key-books-from-the-major-pedigree-collections/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/existence-and-grades-of-silver-age-key-books-from-the-major-pedigree-collections/] Most Valuable Comics: https://itsalljustcomics.com/the-most-valuable-comic-books-in-the-world/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/the-most-valuable-comic-books-in-the-world/] 🛒 Support & Shop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsalljustcomics/ [https://www.instagram.com/itsalljustcomics/] Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/itsalljustcomics [https://www.patreon.com/cw/itsalljustcomics] eBay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?&_ssn=rob_react 0:00 I

The Year of Superman - Epic Auction Results and Record Sales

🎙️ Edgar Church's Basement Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/edgar-churchs-basement/id1872746765 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/edgar-churchs-basement/id1872746765] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IdlxY2AB8ExWRPwzWCIde?si=dd5837d35faa4dee [https://open.spotify.com/show/0IdlxY2AB8ExWRPwzWCIde?si=dd5837d35faa4dee] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/620e2e28-9264-4485-bfad-bcba7471fabf/edgar-church's-basement [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/620e2e28-9264-4485-bfad-bcba7471fabf/edgar-church's-basement] 📊 The Edgar Church Data Project The ultimate resource for tracking the most important pedigree collection in history. Official Site: http://edgarchurchdata.com [http://edgarchurchdata.com] 📝 Deep Dives & Analysis The Main Blog: https://itsalljustcomics.com/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/] The $100,000 Club: https://itsalljustcomics.com/100000-club/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/100000-club/] Timeline of Record Sales: https://itsalljustcomics.com/a-timeline-of-world-record-comic-book-sales/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/a-timeline-of-world-record-comic-book-sales/] Silver Age Key & Pedigree Data:https://itsalljustcomics.com/existence-and-grades-of-silver-age-key-books-from-the-major-pedigree-collections/ Most Valuable Comics: https://itsalljustcomics.com/the-most-valuable-comic-books-in-the-world/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/the-most-valuable-comic-books-in-the-world/] 🛒 Support & Shop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsalljustcomics/ [https://www.instagram.com/itsalljustcomics/] Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/itsalljustcomics [https://www.patreon.com/cw/itsalljustcomics] eBay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?&_ssn=rob_react [https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?&_ssn=rob_react]

How do you value comic books anyway?

In this episode Rob discusses valuing comic books and the way that value is ascribed to new collecting ideas or items. The auction: https://www.pristineauction.com/a1202... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1dsQTNhaTBlcjJ2UGE3VEJWSVFLdVNqcXFBQXxBQ3Jtc0tuU1VoZHJlOG53OG4tZTdSaFRhVDZyY2VhVlJiUVdHRUJRR2kwMC01ajMxZzF3cUVXTTF0ai16SkpGcWdDdTZHbHNmX3MzMFlRS205aHM0Z2lxdXp2WjBXUF80ajFIYzR4OUJ5dGVGQ1pZU0JVVnVKSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pristineauction.com%2Fa12021184-1st-Marvel-Comics-Brand-Emblem-Set-with-17-Comic-Books&v=3-Jc9zPWHO8] 📊 The Edgar Church Data Project The ultimate resource for tracking the most important pedigree collection in history. Official Site: http://edgarchurchdata.com [http://edgarchurchdata.com] 📝 Deep Dives & Analysis The Main Blog: https://itsalljustcomics.com/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/] The $100,000 Club: https://itsalljustcomics.com/100000-c... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbW82cTJWS2ZTaFl2OENyUGhwMzZlaTl6ZTE5d3xBQ3Jtc0ttQXB5dU5sbnZXZTIzbW9Fd0Y3SDRqS2diNTVabEl0dE1pb1NicGxjSHFuT1BoMlFHdlFzcGNMUnV5NmhPZW5McmYwaGRKY2lmVEdhTkRyN2U3cmFPV1F3SVp2RWhDdC1VS2RSbms2M1FHckFSMDR0cw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fitsalljustcomics.com%2F100000-club%2F&v=3-Jc9zPWHO8] Timeline of Record Sales: https://itsalljustcomics.com/a-timeli... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXU1SnZWZW5pR1pWNjhhRTFpbHJtdi03b2E4Z3xBQ3Jtc0tsYVpnNkNYNG5rOVQ2amVEOXN4VHZ5dExYQkVNSVd0NVVSWlNEaFR5eGJNUlhaSVVuaHpJT3M5bnUwZktKeEl2OWFJRzNOYXB2VVhLTzA0d1NvWm90X0RlMmMwUk9nbVBqbGZONWhVMllmTkY0QkNrSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fitsalljustcomics.com%2Fa-timeline-of-world-record-comic-book-sales%2F&v=3-Jc9zPWHO8] Silver Age Key & Pedigree Data:https://itsalljustcomics.com/existenc... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblBQc0NDdzE5TV9nTXRXcHdxUFVIRGdqZTdVd3xBQ3Jtc0tsQUlXOGxHUUxhZmEyd05TMFNJVlNqTFVxd2RiRjJkSFBXVWNxc2llYnVHUzU0OWtmOFVlX3NiLXZ0ODVyZVVJNWJNcEVuZmdYZHBlTElhM3VkYW5lU0FnMldUTjdqeHdnOEZ4dGFaWlBmcWFuQ1p4Yw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fitsalljustcomics.com%2Fexistence-and-grades-of-silver-age-key-books-from-the-major-pedigree-collections%2F&v=3-Jc9zPWHO8] Most Valuable Comics: https://itsalljustcomics.com/the-most... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHFTc2VSQmJ3eE13cDFCdDl1MGJCYUdzVkUyZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttQnd0M1NZejNYNzlCbU5CZXVTMk5paHJHTVdLamltT21zbzktQTJxQl9mazFaQ2hSRy1xOEhUdDg1bFNKbVJZWDN3aXVHaWQ3WGtnSGhkaVZKdDZJYnRVdWZ3cVU1ZTdIOFNFMEMzS29rRGREVEN6NA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fitsalljustcomics.com%2Fthe-most-valuable-comic-books-in-the-world%2F&v=3-Jc9zPWHO8] 🛒 Support & Shop Instagram: / itsalljustcomics [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2h5WFJPbC1VRzZEdnBuVWlFd2NzMW1nckFsQXxBQ3Jtc0tuRnJRdDRRQnZ1b09rekdPdExEMTAwUXpwUElyMEEtQTVMblNCc1l0eXRKYThIaWZvWFkxOWpVSzI0ZHVwS2NjeHlockNEcXZSbjBTLWNNakFfaUM3YW9Ld2Z4RVpKdzJDRjB5dk0wUk9MZm93cHhjZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fitsalljustcomics%2F&v=3-Jc9zPWHO8] Patreon: / itsalljustcomics [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblMzLVdxZ3ZVSGxmcGVJVjNSeDhvTFNzRmJpUXxBQ3Jtc0trVXg5ZlBVZlAtWXh4MFNScmpHQ041NU1PZWwyT3AtSzJZV0FSelFmU2Jndjd6Z25HbENPZUtpelBsaTNyZDVTN2YzVkdnWnpYWWNpcUF6V0RoZHg2V1hvWHBnS092ZEhob1lmLVZoMnJQcmpWWkhUWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fcw%2Fitsalljustcomics&v=3-Jc9zPWHO8] eBay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?&_ssn... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazV2bUdsRF9OWjFOS3ctZ2R3Z1lsRkdEOG5OQXxBQ3Jtc0tsVG1aYUlvRno3VjZudy1TMUY2elAxYTV1a0h5bEpzNk9feWhGalI2V05seFc2c0p6YXZTZkc4RElkZjUzTlhMSWdaanBTSGRGeDFTMm5EbTBVRzFmVTBhZjlORUdpYjFleUJZTGR5OGItWUdtdEdiaw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F%26_ssn%3Drob_react&v=3-Jc9zPWHO8]

The Golden Age is More Interesting (right now...)

Blog Links: https://itsalljustcomics.com/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/] https://itsalljustcomics.com/100000-club/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/100000-club/] https://itsalljustcomics.com/a-timeline-of-world-record-comic-book-sales/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/a-timeline-of-world-record-comic-book-sales/] https://itsalljustcomics.com/existence-and-grades-of-silver-age-key-books-from-the-major-pedigree-collections/ [https://itsalljustcomics.com/existence-and-grades-of-silver-age-key-books-from-the-major-pedigree-collections/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsalljustcomics/ [https://www.instagram.com/itsalljustcomics/] Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?&_ssn=rob_react [https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?&_ssn=rob_react]