1½ Years Jail Time Given to Thief Who Stole Comic Books from University Library
- by Michael Stillman
Crime Does Not Pay!
In 2022, an arrest was made in a major theft at the Strozier Library at Florida State University. The theft was not of ordinary books, but of a variety you might not expect at a university library unless sneaked in by a so-called “student” – comic books. For some older folks, such a theft might seem incongruous, but it isn't today. Comic books are big business and prices can be astronomical. The current record is a cool $15 million for an Action Comics (Superman) first edition.
This theft wasn't quite at that level, but it was no laughing matter. There were 4,996 comic books stolen, valued at $250,000 - $500,000. They had been given to Florida State in 1981 by Robert and Frances Ervin, the collection named for their son, Robert Ervin, Jr. He was an avid comic book reader in his youth. Considering how many parents throw away their children's comic books when they become older, the Ervins were special people.
This theft turned out to be shocking and very disturbing. The thief was not someone you would have expected. It was the head of security for the library. Todd Peak was the Strozier Library head of security and he was one of only four people who had a key to the chain link fence that secured the collection during the 2020-2021 period when the comics went missing. It is possible the thefts occurred while the library was shut down during Covid. Peak being the guilty one became clear as he was selling comic books to local stores and collectors. He claimed to be downsizing his collection, which he was doing, only it wasn't his collection. The owner of a comic book shop became suspicious when he discovered that the comic books Peak was selling were on a list of comic books missing from the Florida State collection. His role of guarding the collection appeared to be more than a coincidence. An investigation of Peak's computer revealed numerous searches for information about the stolen comic books and valuations of them.
Peak pleaded no contest to the charges, but the Judge found him guilty. He was sentenced to 1½years in prison, ten years of probation, and required to pay $70,000 in restitution, $50,000 of that to be paid in $250 monthly installments once he is released. It could have been worse. The plea deal enabled Peak to avoid a sentence that could have been as long as 30 years. Some of the comics have been located and returned to the library, but many others remain missing and likely never will be found. Dean of University Libraries Carrie Cooper was quoted as saying, “This was a difficult experience for those who knew and trusted Todd Peak...and those who have responsibility for stewardship of special collections.”
This is a story that never would have been written a few years ago. Comic books would not have been worth the risk and effort. We have been following the price of rare books and collectible paper for over 20 years. Back then, outside of something really special like a Superman first edition, comic books never appeared among our lists of high priced items. Now, they have become a large percentage. Comics and superheroes that are well-known only by aficionados of the genre can still go for six figures. The comic book market is no longer the providence of children. Big money collectors have taken over the most desirable part of the market. They are no longer just people who liked these comics when they were young. The high end of the field is now filled with investors. It's all about the money and comic books are just another commodity on which to make big money. Superman and Batman have lost their innocence. They are superheroes now for the investors for whom they are a cash cow. And, that's why we have people like Todd Peak, trying to get their piece of the new reality but not having the wealth to participate legitimately. Nice knowing you, kids. Comic books aren't for you anymore.
Leland Little, June 12: The First Illustrated Edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Leland Little, June 12: John Morton, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signed Pennsylvania Land Survey.
Leland Little, June 12: The Scarce Jansson Edition of a Remarkable Early View of London.
Leland Little, June 12: Signed Limited Edition of The Works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Leland Little, June 12: Faden’s Important and Scarce Map of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.
Leland Little, June 12: William J. Tate (NC, 1869-1953), Archive of the "Original host to the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk.”
June 25, 2026
Doyle, June 25: Houdini's biography, boldly signed. $3,000 to $5,000.
Doyle, June 25: A volume from Abraham Lincoln's library, signed just before heading to Washington for his inauguration. $20,000 to $30,000.
Doyle, June 25: A very early Confederate recruiting manual belonging to the chief commissary in Lee's Army. $600 to $800.
Doyle, June 25: Rare hand-colored lithographs of the life of Napoleon. $20,000 to $30,000.
Doyle, June 25: The "Holster Atlas" of the American Revolution. $5,000 to $8,000.
Doyle, June 25: Jewish ceremonies in fine hand-colored engravings. $7,000 to $10,000.
Doyle, June 25: A very rare work on Turkish military costume. $1,000 to $1,500.
June 25, 2026
Doyle, June 25: The most important illustrated work on the Mexican-American War. $10,000 to $15,000.
Doyle, June 25: The finest illustrated book on Afghanistan. $10,000 to $15,000.
Doyle, June 25: Henry Justice Ford St. George rescues the Princess from the horrible Dragon. $2,000 to $3,000.
Doyle, June 25: A rare work of Prussian Army uniforms under Frederick William II, with exquisite hand-colored engravings. $800 to $1,200.
Doyle, June 25: Lenny Bruce typed letter signed to a Village bohemian during his obscenity trials, with a manuscript note and drawing. $300 to $500.
Doyle, June 25: Schiff's scarce Shanghai Sketchbook. $300 to $500.
Doyle, June 25: The first accurate published representation of the American flag. $2,000 to $4,000.
Freeman’s How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X June 30
Freeman’s, June 30: [Queen Anne's War] Extraordinarily Large Manuscript Petition Signed by a Who's Who of Colonial New York Accomplished to Queen Anne. $8,000/12,000
Freeman’s, June 30: [Mormonism] A Unique Manuscript Account of Joseph Smith's Final Words Offered to His Congregation, the Day Before his Violent Death, 1844. $8,000/12,000
Freeman’s, June 30: [Baseball] [Mantle, Mickey] Mickey Mantle's First Cover: The Earliest Front-Page Newspaper Image of Mickey Mantle, "Something Good from Joplin". $8,000/12,000
Freeman’s, June 30: [Baseball] A Striking Type 1 Press Photograph of Lou Gehrig's Hands. $8,000/12,000
Freeman’s, June 30: [Declaration of Independence] One of the First Printed Announcements of American Independence, Subscriber Ebenezer Hazard's Copy, in the Exceedingly Rare Original Wrappers, 1776. $10,000/15,000
Freeman’s How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X June 30
Freeman’s, June 30: [American Revolution] Born in the USA: First Day of Printing in the United States, July 4, 1776! $15,000/25,000
Freeman’s, June 30: [War of 1812] "We Have Met the Enemy and They are Ours": The Critical Promotion of a Naval Hero, Oliver Hazard Perry is Appointed Master Commandant in the United States Navy, 1812. $40,000/60,000
Freeman’s, June 30: [Star-Spangled Banner] Eyewitness Account of the Shelling of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, in a Manuscript Logbook from the HMS Trave, Present at the Battles of Baltimore and New Orleans, 1814-16. $60,000/80,000
Freeman’s, June 30: [American Revolution] Thomas Jefferson at the Birth of a New Nation: An Important Letter Carried by a Jewish Patriot Communicating the Definitive Treaty of Paris, January 16, 1784. $100,000/200,000
Freeman’s, June 30: [Colonial America] [Plymouth Colony] Plymouth Colony Seeks a Royal Charter: A Rare and Important Plymouth Colony Document, 1690/91. $6,000/9,000
Sotheby’s Selections from The Jay T. Snider Collection of Benjamin Franklin Live Sale 24 June
Sotheby’s, June 24: (Benjamin Franklin). The founding—and funding—of the Pennsylvania Hospital. $150,000 to $200,000.
Sotheby’s, June 24: Benjamin Franklin, "the Day of the Declaration of Independence is everywhere annually celebrated”. $80,000 to $120,000.
Sotheby’s, June 24: Benjamin Franklin, “probably the most fundamental thing ever done in the field of electricity”. $75,000 to $125,000.
Sotheby’s, June 24: Benjamin Franklin. One of Franklin's very earliest surviving letters. $40,000 to $60,000.
Sotheby’s, June 24: Roger More and Benjamin Franklin. The only complete copy known of Poor Roger. $25,000 to $35,000.
Sotheby’s, June 24: John Jerman. The American Almanack ... for 1731 — the only known copy in private hands. $25,000 to $35,000.
