World's Largest Private Comics Collection (for now) - May 18

[BobBretall]

Last November I was browsing the internet when I came across this:
http://worldrecordacademy.com/collectio ... 12356.html

A guy from Australia with a 68,000 comic book collection, called the "World's Largest" by the Australian "World Record Academy".

My 1st though was, "Gee, I have at least 20,000 more comics than that guy."

My 2nd thought was "I've never heard of the World Record Academy, I wonder what the Guinness World Record is?" Well, it turns out that there currently is not a Guinness World Record on file in this category, though they do have records for things like "Largest Collection of X-Men Memorabilia", most expensive comic, etc.

I submitted an application back in December for my "record attempt" and I heard back from the Guinness people a few days ago that my application had been accepted along with a very large number of hoops I'm going to need to jump through......

So, my collection currently stands at a bit over 88,000 when I filter out duplicate comics & stuff that I have in my database but are not strictly comics (like issues of Two-Morrows magazines about comics or old issues of Amazing Heroes, etc.) Well in excess of the 68,000 currently on record, even allowing for the guy to by a few thousand books per year since his record attempt.

I was also clear to detail that my record attempt is for largest privately owned collection to filter out people like Chuck Rozanski & the guy who owns LoneStar Comics. Someone who has a million comics that are mostly being bought/sold/held for sale is different from someone actively buying/reading/collecting comics just because they love comics.

This record is for the greatest number of different comic books in a private, personal collection.
This record is to be attempted by an individual.
This record is measured by the number of comic books in the collection that meet our criteria.
A comic book is a book / magazine made up of narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog.

So, what's next?

The assessment of the collection must take place in a public place or in a venue open to public inspection.

Looks like I'm having a party again, open to anyone who wants to come over and have a look at the collection.
When: DELAY UNTIL Saturday, May 18, 2013 - 12pm - 5pm
Where: Mission Viejo, CA
RSVP: Send me an e-mail: bob@comicbookpage.com
Please only tell me you're coming if you're sure you will attend. I'll be having pizza/drinks & would like to have an accurate count to know how much to buy.

I'll also need some signed witness statements authenticating my claim based on an inspection of the collection & my supporting evidence. Anyone who comes is welcome to help me as a witness. That said:

One of the signed statements of authentication must come from a relevant established and recognized society specializing in collections of the type submitted.

I have the owner of my LCS coming by, he's been buying/selling comics and running his shop for ~20 years. Any other thoughts on who I could reasonably get from an established/recognized society that is located here in SoCal (I'm not flying anyone in ) suggest away.....

[Trev]

Congrats!! That's an awesome idea. Will the Guinness people be there? You should reach out to cci and see if they want to do anything. Especially as you are do close to them and it's well before the con.

How many does the guy in England who owns every DC book ever published have? You might put in something that factors both publishers. Largest and most varied?

I would love to be there but already traveling 2 weeks in April. One for ncaa final four and the other to Vegas for work. I don't think it would sit well for me to be gone during 3 weeks.

Keep the thread updated on progress. Exciting!!

[BobBretall]

Congrats!! That's an awesome idea. Will the Guinness people be there?

Not unless I pay for someone to fly out from the UK (which I am not doing)....

[MobileHome]

Bob, I'll be happy to donate another 100 or so of my mediocre books to your collection. For the cause.

Wish I could make the party!

See you in July

[BobBretall]

Bob, I'll be happy to donate another 100 or so of my mediocre books to your collection. For the cause.

E-mail me a list!!!

I probably already have them Lot of "not winners" in that 90,000....

[BobBretall]

And I forgot to mention, one of my son's friends graduated with a Radio/TV/Film degree last year, he's going to be making a short documentary film about my collection & the record attempt. We'll have some footage on my other collectible stuff in there as well (Original art, statues, etc.). We'll also have footage from April 20th & interviews with people in attendance.

I'm sending a copy of this as video documentation to Guinness as part of the evidence packet.

That will go up on the ComicBookPage web-site at some point after April 20th, I'll let people know in case anyone is interested in having a look-see.

[Gilgabob]

Assuming you have around 300 comics in a long box that sounds like 300 long boxes!

You must have plenty of space too!

[BadDeacon]

Wow! That is awesome! So, so cool!

Man, if only I was down anywhere near SoCal, I would definitely come by for the party.

[BobBretall]

Assuming you have around 300 comics in a long box that sounds like 300 long boxes!
You must have plenty of space too!

307 long boxes
+ some magazine boxes for all those B&W Marvel magazines (like Savage Sword of Conan) and Creepy/ Vampirella/others/
+ some short boxes & drawerboxes.

.....yes, it takes up a bit of space. The space requirement is what would keep a lot people away from this kind of record.

[atomic99]

You could put the word out to the usual comic news sites to get some coverage. Maybe even on some of their "Comic Porn" features but then you do run the risk of getting someone with a potentially larger collection trying to break the record too.

[ctowner1]

Bob, this is totally awesome!! Congrats!!

In terms of getting a society to sign off on your collection, perhaps you should try to do something with this in conjunction with SDCC? Inform the show organizers of the attempt to get into Guinness - perhaps they can arrange something for you. So many comic-related people are in town for the show, perhaps the right person will be available for you. Hell, perhaps you can turn this whole process into a Panel at the show!

e
L nny

[Perry]

I would also like to add my congratulations to Bob, for being such a comic hound. And I can't wait to see how this plays out.

[BobBretall]

You could put the word out to the usual comic news sites to get some coverage. Maybe even on some of their "Comic Porn" features but then you do run the risk of getting someone with a potentially larger collection trying to break the record too.

Records are made to be broken...... At least I have a 4 month head start on anyone else wanting to do this.

[BobBretall]

In terms of getting a society to sign off on your collection, perhaps you should try to do something with this in conjunction with SDCC? Inform the show organizers of the attempt to get into Guinness - perhaps they can arrange something for you. So many comic-related people are in town for the show, perhaps the right person will be available for you. Hell, perhaps you can turn this whole process into a Panel at the show!

The collection needs to be physically witnessed & I'm not hauling 90,000 books down to SDCC

I'd rather not push out my "attempt date" to late July & close to the con SDCC people have better things to do.

That said, I'll shoot them an e-mail to see if they have anyone working for the con that wants to drive up to Mission Viejo on April 20th.

[Trev]

In terms of getting a society to sign off on your collection, perhaps you should try to do something with this in conjunction with SDCC? Inform the show organizers of the attempt to get into Guinness - perhaps they can arrange something for you. So many comic-related people are in town for the show, perhaps the right person will be available for you. Hell, perhaps you can turn this whole process into a Panel at the show!

The collection needs to be physically witnessed & I'm not hauling 90,000 books down to SDCC

I'd rather not push out my "attempt date" to late July & close to the con SDCC people have better things to do.

That said, I'll shoot them an e-mail to see if they have anyone working for the con that wants to drive up to Mission Viejo on April 20th.

Or you could be a special guest or get a panel or some mention. Would be cool and they are really close. Hell just an article on their blog would be nice.