1992 MARVEL MASTERPIECES 30th Anniversary Book

[HiltonL]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Maybe they didn’t ship USPS because the weight. I can’t even imagine how much it cost to ship a book this heavy across the country, much less international. Package is like 15 lbs. Possible Fedex had a cheaper arrangement for a business shipping in bulk. Just guessing here. The bronze cards were a much smaller and lighter package.

Any competent shipping department can get discounts on shipping just for asking. Shipping ~1000 boxes ought to qualify for discounts in its own right. Pirate Ship (think service like Stamps.com) can get discounts and optimize which shipper is cheapest per individual package.

Anyhoo, I just got an update from Clover Press' Kickstarter for David Nakayama's art book. They gave pics of stacks of boxes containing books, pics of bonus material, pics of books. What a difference a sponsor makes..

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by HiltonL

Any competent shipping department can get discounts on shipping just for asking. Shipping ~1000 boxes ought to qualify for discounts in its own right. Pirate Ship (think service like Stamps.com) can get discounts and optimize which shipper is cheapest per individual package.

Anyhoo, I just got an update from Clover Press' Kickstarter for David Nakayama's art book. They gave pics of stacks of boxes containing books, pics of bonus material, pics of books. What a difference a sponsor makes..

True it should be different than Joe Schmo sending a single 15 lb box across the country via USPS you’d think, which would cost a mini gold mine these days at current rates.

Would have been nice to have progress pics throughout like that I agree. I will say the impossible has happened, and the books seem to finally be delivered (I’m still waiting on mine but it taking the scenic tour in transit I think). I’m still pretty surprised and amazed tbh.

[Fenian95]

Here's the latest fun from the comments.

Several people chose to have the art and the books delivered together.

Books arrived, no Jusko paintings or tracking.

For several.people.

FPG silent so far but it's only been a day.

Wow.

[DynaEtch]

I had no idea people didn’t already have their painting shipped. Just assumed they all were shipped way back. Huh.

It’s not totally surprising they arent with the book, the book’s shipment was probably all automatic from the warehouse and all the OA tier books shipped alone with an empty holder inside. I would imagine FPG probably has the remaining paintings (where else would they be), and special shipment has to be arranged, just guessing here. How could the paintings possibly come with the books if the books shipped from Henderson NV and that’s not where the paintings came from (I think it was Pitt)

[DynaEtch]

Received mine today. They are nice quality and FPG really came through in the end. The OA tier is not sealed (probably since it’s custom), the other two plus the digest do come sealed.

This is probably my fav all time marvel set, so I’m really looking forward to reading it (I did not glance at any of the pdf prior to this, wanted to wait). I’d be curious if any of the OA backers out there are keeping their paintings framed or in the official holder that goes in the book.



Keep us posted BobCollects and Fenian…hope the delivery gets straightened out soon.

[Fenian95]

Congrats Dyna! The saga ends for you.

[Dukefett]

Is there anything different or art in the digest that's not in the big book? I've been thinking about selling the digest if so.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Fenian95

Congrats Dyna! The saga ends for you.

Finally. Good ending to this saga.

Originally Posted by Dukefett

Is there anything different or art in the digest that's not in the big book? I've been thinking about selling the digest if so.

The digest is entirely the new painting recreations Jusko did for the project. So theyre kinda all new from what’s in the book, but also kinda what’s in the book since he was so accurate in replicating them. They look just like the originals minus the backgrounds.

Actually the Round 2 arts….the ones in 93MM and the 5 lost ladies from the tin set (20 total paintings) are only in the digest I think.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Received mine today. They are nice quality and FPG really came through in the end. The OA tier is not sealed (probably since it’s custom), the other two plus the digest do come sealed.

This is probably my fav all time marvel set, so I’m really looking forward to reading it (I did not glance at any of the pdf prior to this, wanted to wait). I’d be curious if any of the OA backers out there are keeping their paintings framed or in the official holder that goes in the book.



Keep us posted BobCollects and Fenian…hope the delivery gets straightened out soon.

That's great to see, Dyna. I'm glad it worked out for you in the end.

[BobCollects]

That's a nice looking pile of books, Dyna.

I haven't heard back from FPG. I e-mailed them Tuesday evening so it hasn't been very long.

The package with my book is out for delivery in Pittsburgh, which is not where I live but it is where FPG is located, so presumably this is a return to sender situation.

[Fenian95]

Mime has gone back to DELAY with DELAY with FedEx and no contact from FPG yet.

[DynaEtch]

I agree sent to Pittsburgh means it should end up back with FPG, and then they can ship it on to you (hopefully with USPS).

Originally Posted by Fenian95

Mime has gone back to DELAY with DELAY with FedEx and no contact from FPG yet.

It’s pretty unreal how convoluted it is just to have FedEx deliver a package. What is going on with FedEx?

FPG is likely swamped with emails at the moment from shipping issues people are having. Just looking at the comment section alone seems to be people having shipping issues, including those ones missing the painting etc. So may be one of those things they take 2-3 days to respond. They usually do respond though in my experience. (I would hope they do here).

[DynaEtch]

***Below are arguably spoilers, so for anyone still waiting on the book, may not want to read this post.***

The book was a fun read packed with nuggets about the set (most of which Im familiar with but I’ve spent way too much time learning about the set over the years).

I enjoyed all the 92MM para-items shown throughout the intro, in crystal clear format- promo posters, ads, articles, uncut sheet etc. One of my favs was where they showed the progression of the Wolverine card back in development.

Loved the extra touch of the marble on the pages. Marble has always been one of the defining aspects of the 92MM set, with their luxurious card backs, and cool to see it used.

So happy Joe commented on each piece, you don’t always get that with art books. One of my fav parts honestly. It’s always interesting to see how perspectives differ- for example Jusko doesn’t seem to be a big fan of the Iceman painting…..I love that one! It’s one of the best depictions of iceman on a trading card imo, he’s so hard to draw and paint but he really pulled it off. (I went out of my way to submit that card for the CGC signing when picking and choosing).

Really funny comment on the Leader, and I don’t think I’ll ever look at that card the same again lol…somehow didn’t even notice it before.

The prelim sketch of Spidey vs Venom spectra etch is quite interesting! What that card was intended to be. I’m glad the release version was chosen though.

At least my fav of the battle spectras aligns with Jusko’s….the Thing vs Hulk

[DynaEtch]

I have a good guess for the long delays, and I know they sort of commented on it already..

I noticed depicted paintings are different throughout the 109. Some are large, very good quality, more of a true-tone color and also the “Jusko” sig is differently placed vs where it is on the card- these must be the actual paintings which are large enough to be scanned and make that image. Others are a bit lesser res, with the “Jusko” aligning with where it is from the card, and I wonder if they are perhaps enlarged from the card, or scans from way back.

I’m astonished frankly that so many paintings could be tracked down. Many of these have to be buried in far away collections anywhere in the world. So my guess is that not every painting could be tracked down…that would almost be impossible. But they did appear to get several at least. Just me speculating. That actually could have been a major reason for the holdup.

[Fenian95]

It's ready for pickup at last!

I should have it today or tomorrow.

[fabiani12333]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

I noticed depicted paintings are different throughout the 109. Some are large, very good quality, more of a true-tone color and also the “Jusko” sig is differently placed vs where it is on the card- these must be the actual paintings which are large enough to be scanned and make that image. Others are a bit lesser res, with the “Jusko” aligning with where it is from the card, and I wonder if they are perhaps enlarged from the card, or scans from way back.

I noticed this too with the digital version.

[BobCollects]

It's been three full business days since I e-mailed FPG and I haven't heard back yet.

I wouldn't want to be responsible for shipping at FPG right now, that's for sure. It sounds like things are still a mess. Reading through the Kickstarter comments it seems several people never received their original art. I assumed the art was shipped out long ago. There are also people who never received their metal cards/freebies. And several people who never got a shipping e-mail but had their book(s) show up out of the blue.

[Fenian95]

My books are home at last!

Base tier backer.

Now I need to decide to sell, keep sealed and read the PDF, or read once and pass on to another MM fan at cost.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by Fenian95

My books are home at last!

Base tier backer.

Now I need to decide to sell, keep sealed and read the PDF, or read once and pass on to another MM fan at cost.

Pheww…glad it finally came! An end to the long saga at last. It’s true with the pdf readily available it makes it into a bit of a decision.

Originally Posted by BobCollects

It's been three full business days since I e-mailed FPG and I haven't heard back yet.

I wouldn't want to be responsible for shipping at FPG right now, that's for sure. It sounds like things are still a mess. Reading through the Kickstarter comments it seems several people never received their original art. I assumed the art was shipped out long ago. There are also people who never received their metal cards/freebies. And several people who never got a shipping e-mail but had their book(s) show up out of the blue.

It does sound like a mess, and I don’t really understand how that’s happening with the backers. You are correct the paintings were sent out long, long ago, as were the bronze. So people must have either been ignoring all that as it was happening, or intentionally waiting. Maybe not having the surveys filled out back then. But FPG back when the bronze were being shipped were pretty clear they were being shipped. I just don’t know how people could be without any bronze at this point.

I imagine you’re keeping an eye on the tracking. Should be delivered to Pitt soon? FPG you’d think would be responding by now. And if not maybe worth sending another message. I just hope you can finally put this saga to rest.

[Fenian95]

Thanks!

From the comments it sounds like people had the option of waiting and having the book + art ship together.

So now they quite understandably want to know where their 2k painting is

[BobCollects]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

I imagine you’re keeping an eye on the tracking. Should be delivered to Pitt soon? FPG you’d think would be responding by now. And if not maybe worth sending another message. I just hope you can finally put this saga to rest.

Tracking says the package was delivered in Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon. I'll send another e-mail on Monday if I don't hear from them by the end of the day.

[BobCollects]

I still haven't heard from FPG. I just sent another e-mail. I also sent a message using the contact form at the FPG website. I don't know what else I can do other than continuing to send e-mails.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by BobCollects

I still haven't heard from FPG. I just sent another e-mail. I also sent a message using the contact form at the FPG website. I don't know what else I can do other than continuing to send e-mails.

That is bad.

From the sound of comments on the backer page, seems like no one’s getting a response from FPG about their issues either.

Some things about this company are really mind boggling, especially regarding communication. I hope it sorts itself out soon.

[DynaEtch]

If some more time passes and still no response, I can raise a point on the backer comment page asking why FPG is not responding to any emails, including a shipping issue where a backer wasn’t able to have their pledge delivered.

I have nothing to lose in commenting now as I already received everything, and they can’t cancel my pledge now. Of course they’re probably not even looking at/responding to backer comments either.

[Fenian95]

I don't think they are viewing the comments anymore either.

You could try contacting them via the form on the website maybe?