Or the Fear begins to grow.

My Amazing Spider-Man #129 is one of my top ten books I own. About two years ago Surfer99 wrote a journal about keeping only ten books and what would they be? At the time I only picked five. I think as I close in on 400 books I'll have a journal answering his question in its entirety.

I sent a book to CGC for a signature series. It was Wolverine #10. After getting it back I felt the book wasn't even mine. For one thing I sent them a beautiful 9.8 copy that I purchased off the rack when it was originally published. It was perfectly centered, the corners were crisp, and had no spine roll.

I glimpsed at what it was once it was listed and although disappointed I knew the risk. My 9.8 was now a 9.6. It was another couple weeks before I had the order in my hands and after tearing open the box and looking at my Wolverine #10, I knew it wasn't "MY" Wolverine #10. Although the corners were still crisp the cover was no longer perfectly centered due to a drastic spine roll from top to bottom.

Now after having my ASM graded originally a 9.2 with white pages and being ecstatic when it jumped to a 9.4., although slightly curious since the page description went from "White" to "White to Off-White". My third time I sent the book to be graded was to add John Romita's scrawl to the front cover. I was happy when it was returned the same grade. My writing had me discover more about pressing and I decided to use this majestic book as a guinea pig.

Matt Nelson was informative and was rather positive it would attain a 9.6 and after his help with my Daredevil #3 I had no doubts about his knowledge and experience. The book arrived weeks ago and I gazed lovingly at my prized treasure, purposely seeking out the three flaws on the spine. They were there and I was reassured that this book was the same one I bought as a teen.

Im trying to make my decision on what to bring to the ECCC and looked at my ASM #129, As I looked at it, after one of the best pool games I ever had and before going to work, I'm hesitating about getting the third signature. I have no desire to sell this book so I try to consider even if the book drops to a 9.4 it will still have three signatures on it, but then I looked closer.

By Spider-Man's foot, at the bottom of the staple, possibly caused by the press was a defect I don't remember. Will the fifth time getting this book graded be one too many, will my chances be better if I submit it with a bottle of Christal? Should I be happy with what I have or as my Captain from my pool team said "It could get a 9.8". I told him that's impossible but... what if???

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb

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