If thievery is the best form of flattery, comic books are a hot item these days. Once upon a time, comic book theft usually meant some kid walking out of a newsstand without paying for his latest copy of Superman. Nowadays, it is more likely a serious criminal with more interest in its monetary than its entertainment value. From Massachusetts comes the latest example of such a theft.
According to the Southborough, Massachusetts, police department, on November 27, 2017, at 11:00 p.m., they investigated a breaking and entering call at Hall Comics. Working with the owner, they discovered that comics valued at approximately $23,000 were missing.
The next morning, a man walked into the Time Capsule in Cranston, Rhode Island, with comics to sell. The connection was naturally not obvious that soon, but it was later determined that some of those comics were ones stolen from Southborough. A surveillance camera picked up the sale, but the suspect was still not known.
Over the coming weeks, the Southborough and Cranston police departments worked together to develop a list of suspects involved in similar crimes in Rhode Island. That led to the arrest of Corey Cheshier, 31, of West Warwick, Rhode Island. His brother, Tyler, is also wanted for the crime. Corey Cheshier, who has a separate charge for possession of cocaine pending, was charged with breaking and entering at night, larceny over $250, and trespass. Some of the comic books have been recovered at Cheshier's West Warwick address.
Meanwhile, police in Ottawa, Canada, have reported a large comic book theft, though they have released little in the way of detail. The theft occurred sometime between February 6 and February 8. The police would say only that it was a break and enter theft at a residence in "Ottawa's rural south end community." Beyond that, they said "the location will not be mentioned for investigative purposes."
As to what was stolen, the description here was limited too. It was succinctly described as "a large comic book collection consisting of an estimated 900 magazines." No identification of titles or estimated value was given. If these were collectible-grade comics, this could obviously be of great value, but we don't know if it was that or just some well-read comics kept around since childhood. Since it sounds like the thieves must have known about this collection and targeted it, one would suspect that it is of more than passing value. The Ottawa police are hopeful that this announcement will provide them with some leads, while not tipping off the thieves as to how much they know.
SD Auctions, Apr. 16: Fredrik Kolstø. Aftenstemning ved Kysten. c.1890-t.
SD Auctions, Apr. 16: Knut Yran. OL-plakaten Oslo 1952.
Swann Fine Books Featuring Focus on Women April 23, 2026
Swann, Apr. 23: Thomas Heywood. An Apology for Actors. London: Printed by Nicholas Okes, 1612. $3,000 to $5,000.
Swann, Apr. 23: Illuminated Islamic Devotional Manuscript. 19th century. Approx. 90 leaves with gilt-decorated title and 2 full page miniatures of Mecca and Medina. $800 to $1,200.
Swann, Apr. 23: Antiphonal in Latin. Manuscript on Parchment. Cologne, early 16th century. $7,000 to $9,000.
Swann Fine Books Featuring Focus on Women April 23, 2026
Swann, Apr. 23: Mohammed ibn Jafir Albategnius. De Scientia Stellarum Liber. Bologna: Victor Benati, 1645. $8,000 to $12,000.
Swann, Apr. 23: Frank Herbert. Dune. Fine First Edition. Philadelphia: Chilton Books, 1965. $5,000 to $7,000.
Swann, Apr. 23: William Shakespeare. Five Plays from the Second Folio. London: Thomas Cotes for Robert Allot, 1632. $6,000 to $8,000.
Swann Fine Books Featuring Focus on Women April 23, 2026
Swann, Apr. 23: John Steinbeck. Of Mice and Men. New York: Covici-Friede, 1937. First edition, first issue. $800 to $1,200.
Swann, Apr. 23: Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities. With an A.L.S. London: Chapman and Hall, 1859. First edition, first issue. $1,200 to $1,800.
Swann, Apr. 23: Ursula K. LeGuin. The Left Hand of Darkness. Inscribed First Edition. New York: Walker and Company, 1969. $800 to $1,200.
Swann Fine Books Featuring Focus on Women April 23, 2026
Swann, Apr. 23: L. Frank Baum & Ruth Plumly Thompson. Five First Canadian editions including Ozma of Oz; The Emerald City of Oz; Glinda of Oz; [and others]. $1,000 to $1,500.
Swann, Apr. 23: Corita Kent. Different Drummer. 1967. Color screenprint; signed "Corita" in pencil on the lower edge. $1,000 to $1,500.
Swann, Apr. 23: Bible in English. Tyndale-Taverner Translation. The Bugge Bible. The Holye Bible. London: Imprinted by John Daye and Willyam Seres, 1549. $1,500 to $2,000.
Sotheby’s Books, Manuscripts & Objects from Three Important Collections Open for Bidding 2-17 April
Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: [Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun]. Le Roman de la Rose, [Geneva or Lyons, c.1481], first printed edition of the most important medieval French vernacular poem. £200,000 to £300,000.
Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: Castiglione. Il libro del cortegiano. [Venice], April 1528, first edition, in a magnificent binding by Jean Picard for Jean Grolier. £100,000 to £150,000.
Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: Jacobus de Cessolis. Schachzabelbuch, Strasbourg, 1483, von der Lasa copy. £50,000 to £70,000.
Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: World Championship, 1972. A collection of 84 press photographs of the famed match between Spassky and Fischer. £2,000 to £3,000.
Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: Ben Franklin. Autograph letter signed, to Lord Shelburne, British Prime Minister, during peace negotiations, November 1782. £15,000 to £20,000.
