Scoop recently learned that Colmore Comics and Pedigree Comics, Inc. have just recently concluded a deal that will see the world's highest graded run of Tales of Suspense change hands for just over $155,000.

The run consists of the Pacific Coast copies of Tales of Suspense #40 to #76 which has been in the private collection of Colmore Comics owner Mark Arrand since the Pacific Coast collection first came onto the market in late 1999. It is the top certified run according to the CGC Registry with almost every copy the highest or tied as the highest-ranking example.

The popular Silver Age title Tales of Suspense ushered Iron Man onto the scene beginning with issue #39 in March of 1963. Of noteworthy interest is the fact that of the 37 copies in the run, 8 are CGC certified 9.8, 21 are CGC certified 9.6, 4 are CGC certified 9.4, 3 are CGC certified 9.2, and 1 is CGC certified 9.0. In addition, 26 of the issues have white pages while the remaining 11 copies have off-white to white. The run was purchased by Pedigree Comics' owner Doug Schmell for his own private collection and was acquired in a deal that was mostly cash with approximately $20,000 in trade.

The deal marks the second large cross-Atlantic transaction between the two recently formed companies, following the purchase by Pedigree Comics of the 53 issue run of Pacific Coast copies of Tales To Astonish in October, 2004 for over $60,000 plus trade (as reported in Overstreet's Comic Price Review #16).

"I am sorry to see this run go - it is truly breathtaking - but I am happy it is going to a good home!" said Arrand. "Doug's collection and his love for the Pacific Coast Collection are already legendary among the collecting community."

"I am delighted to have been able to acquire this run," said Schmell. " It is truly unbelievable. I already owned the Pacific Coast copy of #39 so it is good to be able to re-unite this with the rest of the run. The lure of the Pacific Coast copies was too great to pass up and even though I have most of these issues in the same grade or one grade less, I purchased the entire 37 issue run!"

Doug commented that as a result of the deal, the CGC certified issues of Tales of Suspense #40 and #76 that were in his collection are now being offered for sale through his internet business www.pedigreecomics.com and so any persons interested should contact Pedigree Comics President Doug at DougSchmell@pedigreecomics.com or 561- 422-1120. The entire run of his non-Pacific Coast pedigree doubles with the exception of the 4 issues that CGC certified higher than the Pacific Coast issues will be available starting on Monday, April 4, 2005.

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