Barney Bear: Home Plate! #One-Shot (Not numbered on cover)
Spire Christian Comics • Kiddies Christian Comics / Barney Bear Series
Writer
Al Hartley
Interior Artist
Al Hartley
Cover Artist
Al Hartley
Publication Date
1973 (estimate)
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A Christian-themed moral story featuring Barney Bear and his family. The plot centers on home life, family values, and religious teachings, typical of the Al Hartley 'Spire' era of comics. It features anthropomorphic bear characters in a domestic setting.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good (CGC 4.0)
Condition Details
Moderate surface wear and significant cover wrinkling/creasing; price sticker (green dot) on upper right corner; spine stress lines; minor corner rounding; possible tanning based on age of paper stock.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $3 - $8; Graded: $20 - $35 (low demand for high-grade professional slabs for this specific niche).
Recent Sales
Similar Spire Christian Comics titles by Al Hartley typically sell for under $10 in raw, mid-grade condition on platforms like eBay.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The cost of CGC or CBCS services would significantly exceed the market value of the book, which is a common collectible but not a high-demand investment key.
Notable Features
Part of the Spire Christian Comics line produced by Fleming H. Revell Company; artwork by Archie Comics veteran Al Hartley; features 'Kiddies Christian Comics' branding.
Authentication Notes
The item appears to be an authentic 1970s Spire publication. It shows appropriate aging for the newsprint paper and the matte cover finish typical of this publisher. No signs of reproduction or counterfeiting are evident.