Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Matt M. yesterday

Thanks for posting. It looks like the “exclusive” announcement of this release was through AIPT, where they state that Volume 1 will be signed by Groening and include a “unique original sketch.” The listing on the Abrams site doesn’t mention a sketch but does show a Groening signature and Bart sketch on one of the front interior pages. 

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Permalink Reply by Jason H yesterday

Thanks Keith for posting yesterday!! I purchased 2 last night with the code but seems they changed it now to 1 per order

Thanks Matt for posting this info. A sketch with the autograph makes this way more appealing. I've wanted to add something like this to my collection since I was a kid. The opportunity never came up until now. I just purchased a 3rd to use as a cut but also just in case they decide to cancel one or both of the first order. I haven't bought much at retail this year so I can afford to splurge. This is a pretty huge deal and I do not mind if I end up with all 3 at all especially if the sketches are different. 

You both are awesome for posting awareness. Kind of surprised this isn't sold out already. Definitely worth it at $245 a pop with the code. For today's order, I went with adding Gillian Anderson for $21 after the coupon. My wife is a huge xfiles fan and she seemed to have signed a blank page at the bottom corner for that one. Lots of space above to print whatever picture I'd want.. 

Here's a link for Gillian if anyone needs something to add other than Amy Schumer

https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/more-signed-edition_9781419795473/

Here's an example of one on ebay

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. yesterday

No problem and yeah, thank you to Keith.

I’ve cut back too and talked myself out of it when I first saw it…but in researching a bit, I found that announcement and decided to go for it considering the possibility of a sketch. I really hope that’s a real example and not a mock up. And from what I can tell, that page is typically blank on the unsigned edition. 

I reached out to Abrams earlier today for details but have not heard back. 

Yeah, I’m kind of surprised it hasn’t sold out yet either. There doesn’t appear to be a real-time count on the inventory as you can add a seemingly infinite amount to cart. However, at some point earlier today, they added a “limit one” message when you try to proceed with more than one in your cart. (It wasn’t there last night). 

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Permalink Reply by Jason H yesterday

I ended up buying a 4th. So crazy but I have this weird feeling they might cancel my first order of 2. Ill probably end up with 4 lol. Might not be a bad thing if Groening sketches a bunch of different characters, but ouch to my wallet. 

These are already on eBay. With 500 signed, ill take a guess that 100 will hit eBay before Christmas. The first listing is set at $825. Bet they will go down to $500 and maybe even $450 for the aggressive sellers who just want a small profit quick. We shall see though. These need to sell out first. I haven't watched a new episode in the last decade and no clue what the fanbase is like anymore. My daughter claims to love the simpsons but has no desire to actually watch when I put it on. Shes still a bit too young though 

Not sure how many people know about its roots to National Lampoon. When The Simpsons was being developed into a half-hour sitcom,  co-developer Sam Simon purposefully recruited heavily from the Harvard Lampoon. 

Many writers were brought on from that crew including of course Conan O'Brien. Very similar to how SNL was created.. Of course those were the classic Simpsons seasons. A major reason of why they were so special. So much has changed since then and looking it up now, viewership was 20 million early on. Now its around 2 million. It will be interesting to see how these play out on the secondary market. 

https://ebay.io/m/O0wrW7

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Permalink Reply by Keith Kukla yesterday

Thanks Jason and Matt for the exceptional background and added details.  Really hope these work out well for everyone.

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Permalink Reply by Tobysautographs yesterday

holy moly, this is an incredible find!! hoping desperately for a UK option...

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Permalink Reply by Autograph Collector yesterday

Thank You for Posting.

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Permalink Reply by hbw60 23 hours ago

My conclusion is that the sketch will be printed, not hand-drawn. AIPT says that each copy “will be signed by The Simpsons creator Matt Groening and include a unique original sketch”, but that could mean "the sketch is unique to the signed edition". Meaning Matt drew one original sketch that is then printed on each signed copy.

The wording specifically breaks it into two pieces. They don't say "each copy has an original hand-drawn sketch and signature." They say that "each copy is signed by Groening AND includes an original sketch". If I was advertising a series that had actual sketches, I definitely wouldn't be the slightest bit vague about it. I'd be highlighting the fact that every copy had a one-of-a-kind hand-drawn sketch. The fact that they barely mention the sketch seems to downplay it, and the wording seems intentionally unclear.

To me, the biggest evidence is that in the photo, the sketch is drawn in white, while the signature is in yellow. It seems unlikely that Matt would use two pens. Yes, it looks nicer. But if Matt was making 500 of these, I feel like he'd probably not be switching pens 500 times. I'd expect the sketch and signature to be in the same ink.

I hope I'm wrong. I hope there really are original sketches. But to me, the clues indicate a real signature with a printed sketch.

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 22 hours ago

Yeah, I absolutely share this concern and still waiting on Abrams to respond for clarification. I also considered that the Bart sketch is printed. However, it looks like the corresponding page is blank in the unsigned edition. Maybe they have done a special edition with a printed sketch added, and had him signed those. I’ll post if I get any clarification. 

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 22 hours ago

Also FWIW, the header at the top of the AIPT article describes it as “signed and sketched by Matt Groening”

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Permalink Reply by hbw60 22 hours ago

Thanks so much for your help! As someone who has no interest in the actual books, it's a strange situation. $350 is far too much for a signature, but it's an absolute steal for an original sketch. So I appreciate your effort in getting a conclusive answer.

And the light ink on black paper combo is really gorgeous. Much better than the usual Sharpie on white paper, or a sketch on an image. I was lucky enough to get an original Groening Bender sketch from a friend who attended a Futurama panel at Comic Con. But it's on a very colorful poster, leaving it with really poor contrast. If these books are the real deal, they'll be top tier.

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Permalink Reply by Matt M. 22 hours ago

Oh ok, very nice. Yeah, I hope Abrams responds with some clarification. Like I said, I was on the fence initially for just the signature in one of the books, but that would still be a neat item. Not trying to lead anyone down the wrong path, but I did want to show what I had found about the possibility of a sketch. I agree it seems odd that Abrams wouldn’t promote that aspect. I’ll post any response from them. 

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