David Doggett's Bio
Collecting Background Draft
Started collecting when I was around 10 years old, while living in Alexandria VA.
ASM 130 - One of the first books I distinctly remember buying from the local 7-11 spinner rack. Started buying for the art. Why does a Frank Robbins Invaders cover stand out to me? Humans can’t contort like that! Love Kirby, Colan, the Buscemas, Romita Sr and Jr, early Byrne, early McFarlane.
Early on I bought and read: ASM, Captain America, Daredevil. Not so sure where my Cap and DD books went. Must’ve traded them away?
Early High School age? - bought “Good” ASM 1 for $120 with money from returnable bottles, birthdays, etc. at comic shop on Duke Street in VA.
I used to frequent Geppis, Barbarian in Maryland. Just like everyone else, I bought “everything” Marvel in the 90’s. All #1’s, mini-series, etc. Sigh. Couple home runs, but mostly $50 per long box house cleaning duds to my LCS. During this period, I went through a store my bagged and boarded books in a file cabinet phase. Didn’t foresee the potential spine roll issues. I’m sure I lost a few grade points…
Around 2012 - “Sold/Merged” my company and had some liquid assets. I made my first what I consider major money book purchase. I very, very nervously purchased a raw AF15 from Mike at “Alternate Worlds”? I remember he had it in a desk drawer. Haha! Somehow I got him to agree that for $4K (top dollar at the time), he would guarantee me a minimum 2.0 blue label. Keegan at C2A thought it was more likely a 1.5. As luck would have it, I got my 2.0!! Turned out to be a great investment!! Whew! I considered getting signed by Stan, but didn’t want to risk a grade drop…
I’ve been dealing primarily with Keegan of Comics to Astonish since around 2010. Started with buying raw books to fill runs, then my “crack-dealer”facilitated my first autographs…and, voila, addiction officially started! Lol! On top of that, shorty thereafter, I must have hit my head, because I decided I needed the entire ASM run CGC graded…oh yeah, and while I’m at it, might as well get them signed as I go. Holy smokes!! And so the ASM creator “unique autograph” obsession period begins. As of 11/2024, I have 222 different creator autographs in hand, with 8-10 additional currently out for grading. I find myself constantly checking eBay, Heritage, Pedigree and ComicLink for potential books. Of course, it’s getting more and more difficult to find new autographs. I suppose I should investigate forums to find another source pool.
I had a collection buying push from 2019-2023 while business was doing well! Developed interest in celebrity autographs. Ouch!…Not for the feint of heart!! During this time, with my wife’s support (I know - lucky Dave, right?), I was able to allocate funds to acquire a few more what I would consider “expensive” key books. Mostly sentimental Silver Age. And all those dang eBay auctions!! Really broad selection. Too much selection if you ask me now.
Sheesh - now CGC acquired JSA? All the raw signed books that I’ve been ignoring for years as they didn’t count in my registry are now on the menu? My search can now include signatures from many past creators (Rest in peace!) that were acquired before SS existed and current that weren’t witnessed. Interested to see how many “fakes” I run across…
To be continued…