Every now and then people call back.

I have looked at a lot of collections in the 4 years that ACC has existed. And for the most part, I've been able to buy the ones that I've wanted to buy. But there are those that get away, this is one of those stories.

Around Thanksgiving 2014, I received a call from a friend of mine that owns a "normal" comic book store here in Atlanta. "Normal" meaning they deal in mostly current/new releases and trading card games / board games / etc. He had a lead for me on an older gentlemen that said he had a big comic book collection. My friend is pretty good at weeding out stuff that I can't use, and only sends me a lead or two a year, so they're usually pretty good. This one was no exception.

I called the man, who's name was/is Mike, to schedule a meeting the same day. When I arrived at Mike's house a few days later I was ushered upstairs into a bonus bedroom that had old liquor & bank boxes scattered everywhere. On the bed, the floor, a table, a chair, desk, EVERYWHERE. They were mostly filled with comics from the 60's, 70's, and 80's with just a few series pushing into the very early 90's. There were clearly several thousand books in total.

I always tend to ask a lot of questions as I'm looking at a collection, especially a large collection. If for no other reason, because it helps to break the general awkwardness of a complete stranger rifling through boxes in your house while you stand there in complete silence. One of the questions I always ask is "what's the story on the collection? Did you collect them over time, inherit them, find them, etc.?" This question usually allows the seller to go on at length about anything they find relevant about the collection. It's rarely a short answer, but Mike gave me an answer that I'd never heard before.

And I hate to leave you hanging, but it's 2:00AM on the right coast and I can barely keep my eyes open. So let's put a pin in this fine web we're weaving and I'll finish it up tomorrow.

-Jeff///ACC