Does anyone know why this particular issue is so valuable? I'm assuming it's some mix of investment, timing, sentimental value, and rarity. But which ones particularly?

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daseiner1 7 hours ago | parent | next [-]

the article explicitly states that this original Superman #1 is the highest graded copy of all-time

it’s valuable for the same reason the mona lisa is valuable. it’s iconic, it is a singular object, it is one of a kind, it is a stable investment vehicle. they ain’t making more of them.

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nrhrjrjrjtntbt 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Stable investment vehicle I am not so sure. I think an index fund or even gold will outperform it over 100 years. Superman comics rely on people giving a shit about superman which will fade over time. Superman isnt a big thing for gen z for example.

	▲	bazoom42 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Who knows, but some comic books characters like Batman and Spider-man are bigger that ever, while others like Tarzan is losing relevance.

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RobotToaster 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

> they ain’t making more of them.

I always wonder exactly how difficult it would be to get the paper, ink, staples, etc exactly right. I'm sure it would be difficult but 9m is a big payoff if you can.

	▲	rootlocus 5 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		I assume the content isn't as important as the fact the object itself is the original. Original paper, original ink, original release date. The object itself comes from the original factory, survived through time etc. I would expect some tests will verify it uses the correct paper, has the signs of age, etc. Even if you could duplicate it down to the molecule I would assume it wouldn't hold the same value since it doesn't have the same history. Assuming you'd want to sell it in good faith as a replica.
	▲	ileonichwiesz 5 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		If you’re going to get into forgery of historical memorabilia there’s probably easier targets than Superman comic books, no?
	▲	6 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		[deleted]

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ChrisArchitect 7 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

An earlier submission of the auction house source had some details like it's one of only seven copies that have a grading score over 6.0 (it scored a record 9.0), and one of only 100 ever of any quality ever auctioned there.

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Zenbit_UX 7 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Your question is why is issue #1 of a very old and popular thing valuable?

	▲	muzani 23 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		I get that it's more valuable than Superman #200, but why 9 million dollars valuable. There's a poorer quality one at 5 million, but that also means that there's other copies in existence. It's also not the first Superman comic, what about Action Comics #1? Why is the Call of Cthulhu (Weird Tales, Feb 1928) about $50k? Or in terms of characters, what makes Superman worth 3x more than MARVEL #1 or Batman?