Metropolis Collectibles
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Comic book retail |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Stephen Fishler |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Rare vintage comic books, appraisal and valuation services |
Metropolis Collectibles, Inc specializes in dealing rare vintage comic books from the United States, with a particular emphasis on titles published during the 1930s through the 1970s. Situated on Broadway in New York City, the company operates a showroom that is accessible exclusively by scheduled appointments. Beyond purchasing and selling comic books, Metropolis offers professional appraisal and valuation services for rare and out-of-print comics.
History
Established in 1984 by Stephen Fishler, Metropolis merged in 1999 with Vincent Zurzolo, Jr., owner of Vincent's Collectibles. Zurzolo acknowledged that competing with Fishler’s enterprise was challenging, making the merger a practical decision.
From its origins as a mail-order comic book business, Metropolis Collectibles has expanded significantly to establish a strong presence in online retail. Over time, it has acquired several distinguished classic comic collections, often referred to as "pedigrees," including the Crowley Collection, the Allentown Pedigree, the D-Copy Collection, and the Northford Collection.
In August 2014, Metropolis secured a near-mint CGC 9.0 graded copy of Action Comics #1 at an auction on eBay for $3.2 million.
In July 2007, the team behind Metropolis Collectibles launched a sister company named Comic Connect, Corp. Unlike its parent company, Comic Connect operates as an online marketplace enabling users to list their own comics for sale and engage in peer-to-peer buying and selling. This platform serves as an alternative to eBay and traditional comic book auctions.
Grading scale
Stephen Fishler, founder of Metropolis, is recognized for developing the widely adopted 10-point grading scale used to assess comic book condition and value. While he did not originate the descriptive grade terms (such as Very Fine or Near Mint), he streamlined a previously complex 42-point system into this simplified scale. Fishler successfully persuaded the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide to implement this system, which was later adopted by the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) for their third-party grading services.
References
External links
- Metropolis - Digital Marketplace
- ComicConnect - Auction Platform for Comic Books
- Conversation with Vincent Zurzolo
- A Comic Book Collector's Sunday Routine
- From Small Change to Millions: The Journey of Turning a Childhood Passion into a Successful Career
- Vincent Zurzolo, Owner of Metropolis Collectibles, Discusses Vintage Comics at C2E2
- Investing in Comic Books: Expert Advice from a Collector
- Vincent Zurzolo: Trader of Comics and Collectibles Worth 3.2 Million Dollars