This isn't the 181 you're looking for

I still possess the first three books I ever had graded. Recently I cracked one to press, had it signed, and graded again. I'll write about that later. One of my first ten graded by CGC was an Incredible Hulk 181. Unfortunately, an old roommate decided to switch his copy with mine. My copy was equivalent to what my ASM 129 graded the first time. The copy he switched with mine received a 3.5, and I have since lost the desire to ever own one again.

But, as fate would have it, I decided to start collecting something new. I wanted to get books that came out the same month I did. I attended the New York Special Edition looking for some of those comics published in the early seventies.

I found four books that at first glance looked worthy. The first one was Young Love #94, but after pulling it from the bag I decided not to spend the $110 for the pressing and grading. I would stick with the $10 I spent on the book and search again.

The next book was one of the easiest to find, but the most expensive. I couldn't find a copy of Wonder Woman #199 for anything cheaper than $225. The grade just didn't seem worthy for the price, until I found one nice enough for a shot at $55. I looked it over, though my experience in grading a book from the seventies is next to nil, especially those that are 52 pages long.

As with many of my CGC stories, I have placed my money where my mouth is. This is no different. I purchased the book for grading the following week. I personally graded the book at 8.5 after what I thought pressing would do for it.

The third book I picked up was a copy of Avengers #98. This was a bit easier to grade than the others. However, I couldn't discern between flaws and manufacturing defects. I know books from the silver age better than the copper age, so I hoped in my wildest dreams it would achieve a 9.4.

My financial tally so far between the three books and the two encapsulation charges bring me to a total of $335. The fourth book was my coveted 181... my holy grail. Every time I saw a copy of the d@mn thing, it was no better than a (perceivable) 4.0 and no cheaper than $40. Yes that's right, my holy grail was a copy of Young Romance #181. This book is nearly impossible to find in high grade. To date, only one has been graded (besides mine) and it is an 8.5. The book cost me $10 with another $110 to press and grade. My new total was $455, but what were the results? And was it worth it?

Young Love #94: passed

Wonder Woman #199: 9.4

Avengers #98: 9.8

And my 181...

Young Romance #181: 8.0

Not bad.

Thanks for Reading,

Tnerb

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