COMIC DETAILS
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Comic Description:
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Action Comics 417 Universal
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Grade:
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9.8
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Page Quality:
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WHITE
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Pedigree:
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Winnipeg
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Certification #:
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1626628002
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Owner:
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Brandon Shepherd
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SET DETAILS
Owner's Description
"The Conspiracy of the Crime-Lords!"
Cover Date: October 1972
Leo Dorfman and Bob Haney stories
Curt Swan, Murphy Anderson and John Calnan art, Nick Cardy cover
Lex Luthor and Braniac appearance.
Metamorpho backup story.
"The Kid and the Corruptors!" Metamorpho backup story.
Writer: Bob Haney
Penciler: John Calnan
Inker: John Calnan
Original Grade Date: 01/22/2002
Acquired: 01/27/2013
Regraded: 08/29/2019
Villains Brainiac, Marauder, Grax (four arms), and Lex Luthor appear with Lois Lane, Batman and Jimmy Olson on one of my favorite Nick Cardy Action Comics covers. This special piece and I have history; I originally had a different 9.8 example of Action Comics #417, with less than perfect cover centering, that I purchased from a ‘Buy It Now’ listing on eBay. Within a few days of buying the book, the Winnipeg example was listed on an eBay auction, if only I had waited a few days. At the time (November 2006) there were only two 9.8 examples in the CGC census. I did think to myself then how it would be nice to say I had both 9.8 examples, but I passed on bidding and the listing ended without a bidder.
A few years later the Winnipeg example appeared on the ComicLink Exchange, where it stayed for a long time. I really wanted the piece as it was in a first generation holder and had perfect cover centering but I was focused on other books, so I kept putting off the purchase. One day the book was no longer listed, I kicked myself for passing it up a second time. Eventually I became so distracted by the cover miswrap on my copy that I consigned it to ComicLink.
Come January 2013 I got a rare third chance and I did not hesitate. I might have been able to negotiate a better price but after six years of waiting and kicking myself, I bought the piece I should have bought the first time around and enjoyed every penny of it.
The story continues...
In 2019 I decided it was time to send the book in for ReHolder, I really wanted to preserve the first generation holder but the bottom had cracked under the previous owner's care, and a piece eventually broke off. Had I bought the book when I had my first chance years ago, this would not have been a problem. I sent this in along with several other books that badly needed new holders. Not long after my reholder submission was received I was informed that several of the books I sent in would not retain the same grade due to damage. This book showed an indent on the bottom back cover, that looked like it came from the divider tab in the inner well of the original holder. I opted to have my books pressed and regraded. After four long months of waiting I got all my books back in 9.8 grade. This Winnipeg example has had quite the journey and is still one of my favorite pieces. I love the vibrant colors of this piece and the overall crispness of the book makes me smile every time I pull the book from the collection for viewing.
In May 2023 I sent this book back for a new holder. The previous holder had a long, deep scratch on the back. The first version on the pedigree label also looked like a xerox copy. The book now sits in the holder it deserves.
From MySlabbedComics.com:
Winnipeg Pedigree
Sold in a few different lots this Marvel collection that spans the 1960s to Copper Age. A large portion were brought to market by Showcase New England during the late 1990s. Known for having the owner's name written on the top of the cover of the pre-1965 issues, there are many high quality examples of this pedigree, and there have been rumblings that these may just be the under copies of the original owner's collection!
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