Two Questions: Ruling the Underworld and Underwhelmed by a Purchase!

Martinex1: Today we have two questions suggested from our friends here on the blog, Doug and Charlie Horse 47!  You have the choice to respond to one or both of the queries, so be our guest....

QUESTION 1:   What exactly is the structure of Marvel's afterlife and who really rules the dark depths of the Marvel underworld?

 

QUESTION 2: What was your worst experience (when and how did you get burned) in the purchase of back issues or items from catalogs, on-line, or in shops?

Chew the Fat: Marvel Value Stamps!

Redartz:  All right, be honest now. Nobody here will think any less of you; we're all friends here. How many of you cut out the Marvel Value Stamps from your 70's vintage comics? I admit it, I did so. And frequently enough to fill the entire stampbook, therefore 100 comics fell victim to my scissors (I only collected the first series).  Yes, I knew it left a hole, and at times actually removed part of the story and art. But I did it anyway. Mea Culpa. 

Marvel Value Stamps were a promotional gimmick originating in late 1973, and ran through 1976. Shown on the left is the announcement appearing in Marvel books cover dated March 1974, giving the details of the initial release.Two series were produced, the first being 100 individual images of Marvel characters, and the second series a number of puzzle pictures composed of several stamps each. 








 
 


The stamps were generally found on the letters page of a comic, although some books were published without stamps (notably the reprint titles such as Marvel Tales).  It appeared that Marvel's production department made some effort to place the stamps in locations where their removal wouldn't cut into the story, but that certainly wasn't always the case. Having picked up many of my comics at flea markets and yard sales, I've encountered many with missing stamps, which doesn't trouble me- I'm just looking for 'reader copies', anyway. Any collectors concerned about condition, however, would be wise to leaf through any potential purchases of mid-70's Marvels just to play it safe!





 


At any rate, I was hooked by the stamps- I had literally just started collecting and reading Marvels and gave no thought at the time to the consequences of cutting the stamps. I just liked the challenge of tracking all of them down, and loved the artwork they featured. It was soon revealed that an album was available , and I dutifully ordered a copy (which came accompanied by a free Spider-Man poster). Over the course of several months, I managed to find every stamp, and pasted each into the album (including the elusive stamp #100 featuring Galactus- found in Amazing Spider-Man 145). And Marvel's scheme worked- I bought quite a few comics that I otherwise wouldn't have, but it was beneficial. I found several comics that way which soon became favorites; one example being Killraven.

Marvel eventually announced some convention discounts and other perks for possessors of a completed stampbook. I never took advantage of them, however. My book sat in a box for years, occasionally providing a fun glimpse back at a beloved era in comics. I finally traded my copy at a convention a few years ago for a prized early Ditko Amazing Spider-Man, so that made it all worthwhile. 

And now, a few examples of those loved/hated stamps:

Okay, you've heard my confessions. What did you think of the stamps? Did you collect them, or ignore them?  Did you actually complete an album, and use it ? And as for the second series- anyone get that album? The confessional is open...