The Distinction between Non-Restorative Pressing and Pressing as Restorative Technique...

Allow me to say, in the following journal entry, I am in no way accusing the CGC of any kind of misconduct or misrepresentation or any intentional or unintentional Pressing during the encapsulation process of comic book grading and encapsulation. And I will go further to say that in no way, am I qualified to make a statement in regards to the grading and encapsulation processes undertaken by the CGC, for I have no knowledge of the techniques and processes they utilize for such endeavors. I will further state, it is in my opinion, the CGC provides an invaluable service to all Panelologists and Comic Book Collectors looking to achieve, at this present time and juncture, the very best in Third Party Grading, Conservation, Preservation, and Archival services. And I will further declare: I support their efforts wholeheartedly, in every way, for doing their due diligence in achieving the very best results for unbiased Third Party Grading, Conservation, Preservation, and Archival services.

Allow me to also apologize to fellow Collectors Society member Tnerb, if, for any reason, in the following journal entry I am posting, I accidentally misconstrue, misrepresent, or take out of context, his thoughts and comments as he has previously posted in his journal entry "Pressing the Virgin Snow", as already seen on the Collectors Society portal.

In regards to "Pressing the Virgin Snow", Tnerb has postulated a very interesting point. Is pressing taking place during the encapsulation process? For background I will sample a snippet from the aforementioned journal entry "Pressing the Virgin Snow":

"I don't know but I was curious so I asked around about how that could have been done and one person came up with a most interesting aspect, that when the book is slapped they get pressed.

How could that be? But have you ever open a slab? Inside the well is another plastic that is sealed shut. How was it sealed shut without pressure and heat. IS every single slab we purchase being pressed during the encapsulation process?"

Now that is very interesting point Tnerb has brought up, one that never dawned upon me. It is a valid question that I cannot answer and only the people behind the encapsulation process can shed light on.

I will say this... if pressing is indeed involved in the encapsulation process, it is in my opinion, done not with the intention to restore or alter the condition, grade and or appearance of the comic book fitted into the well and slab, but done to fulfill the necessary steps to Conserve, Preserve, and Archive said comic book, and therefore should be termed as Pressing as Non-Restorative Technique.

Many of us will agree, intentional Pressing, through Professional or Amateur means, is undertaken to achieve a desired modification in condition and/or grade for the purpose of enhancement or restoration. This shall be termed Pressing as Restorative Technique.

So these distinctions shall be noted as:

Non-Restorative Pressing (NRP): Pressing as a result of Conservation, Preservation, Archival, and Encapsulation.

Pressing as Restorative Technique (PRT): Pressing through Professional or Amateur methods, undertaken to achieve a desired modification in condition and/or grade for the express purpose of enhancement or restoration.

Once again I must state, I do not know if pressing is indeed taking place during the encapsulation process, but if it is, then it must be disclosed and noted in the labeling. As a result, if a minimal degree of pressing has occurred due to the encapsulation process, by default, modifications in the current labeling system are in order.

So I thought this through and have come up with some suggestions on how this may be achieved:

ALL color labels will carry a default denotation: NRP (short for Non-Restorative Pressing). This is across the board for all label colors.

However, the Purple Color labels will have some variant distinctions:

All comic books that have Restoration work done minus Pressing as Restorative Technique will carry the following denotation: RNRP (short for Restoration, Non-Restorative Pressing).

All comic books that have Pressing as Restorative Technique done, but no other Restoration, will carry the following denotation: PRTNRP (short for Pressing as Restorative Technique, and Non-Restorative Pressing).

All comic books that have Restoration work done along with Pressing as Restorative Technique will carry the following denotation: RPRTNRP (short for Restoration, Pressing as Restorative Technique, and Non-Restorative Pressing).

I believe this is fair since it addresses all the Pressing concerns once and for all. Yes, many comics which have been intentionally pressed to enhance condition and/or grade, will be subject to a new Purple Label designation. And I know this will upset many collectors. I am sorry about that, but it is the correct thing to do.

And I also understand this will change the entire industry and cause ripple effects, but I believe in the long run it is for the greater good.

Final words: I believe everyone is entitled to opinions and suggestions, myself included, and with that I ask, if you are going to submit comments in response to this journal, do so with an open mind and with the intentions of contributing something useful, practical and thought provoking to further the discussion.

I thank you for reading, your understanding, and support.

SW3D

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