Tom789

On 11/26/2023 at 12:02 PM, Real Frantic One said:

Amazing Spider-Man #139
9.0 VF/NM
$50

On 11/7/2023 at 10:08 AM, Real Frantic One said:

Amazing Spider-Man #168
9.2 NM-
$25

I buy from Columbia Hobby Sports Cards n More | eBay Stores.  Always "free" shipping (UPS) and very quick service.

On 11/20/2023 at 2:27 PM, dbcn said:

I had these 2 books shipped today - they were about as minty fresh as I have seen a book when I sent them in, and were clocked in at 9.6s:

https://www.cgccomics.com/certlookup/2808050001/

https://www.cgccomics.com/certlookup/2808050003/

There are 4 in the series, and the other two were graded 9.8s. There are no notes for any of them, and I can maybe see a couple of minor issues with the first book, but the 2nd book I'm really at a loss as to why it got the knock. I certainly have 9.8s that have more noticeable defects than 2808050003.

Would genuinely like thoughts on issues these books might have.

Maybe something will pop up when I have them in hand & will follow up.

The first book has a front right bottom corner crease, which to me actually looks a bit large for a 9.6.  I only say this because I have 9.6 with a smaller corner crease (it's actually mentioned in a grader's note).

Can't see anything that pops out on the second book.  There is maybe a small color-breaking spine tick about 2" down on the front cover but I don't think that alone would disqualify it from a 9.8.

On 11/8/2023 at 5:34 PM, Timed said:

Before I start, I am aware of the saying "never expect a 9.9, or even a 9.8". I have been submitting for years, and have learned to be conservative on estimates so as to not be disappointed on results.

Now, I am not trying to delude myself, but I have stumbled across a 1980's book that is genuinely the most gorgeous copy of the book I have ever seen. I have submitted this issue many times before, with a bunch coming back as 9.8, but on those 9.8's there was always at least one defect if you looked hard enough. On this copy though, there is none. No ticks (not even non color breaking), extremely sharp corners, no marvel chipping, vivid colors, tight staples with no rust... not even any bindery tears on top or bottom. And yes I used a magnifying glass as well, just because I wanted to make sure that my eyes were not deceiving me. I have never been amazed by a book so much that I can say, it looks even better than most moderns I have handled.

The question I have is, is there any way or path on giving this the best chance at a 9.9? I would even be willing to submit it in the UV tier, if that meant the graders scrutinize every single millimeter closely. Heck, I would even hand deliver it to Matt Nelson for a fee just so he can take a close look 

Just wanted to write about my thoughts, even though I know it will just probably come back a 9.8... lol.

A few things you didn't mention that might count.  The book has to be well centered and pages have to be off-white to white or better.  Also, no ink issues such as blotches, smears, transfers, missing ink etc.  Full gloss required.

I don't believe any grader at CGC would give that a 9.8 or even close.  Probably an error when inputting data for the label if I had to guess.

Looks like CGC is beta-testing a new shipping method: 

SWAGs* recorded.

*SWAG = Scientific Wild Guess - a highly technical term implemented often in my old area of work (engineering).

7.  One bullseye, 3 off by one and 4 off on Nature Boy.  7.0?????

On 10/31/2023 at 1:47 AM, finalfan7asy said:

These spine ticks and bends were not present prior to sending the book to CGC. I sent it back at no cost for a press and regrade, but it remained a 9.8. The photo below shows the spine ticks and bends prior to the press and regrade in its slab before going back to CGC.

 

For comparison, here is the "worst" spine tick, IMO, from my submission.  First is the official CGC image, second is my photo.  This tick was present when submitted, but it wasn't "bendy".

On 10/30/2023 at 10:52 AM, finalfan7asy said:

I own a Wolverine LS #3 that was graded a 9.8 with 5 color break spine ticks (4 on the front and 1 on the back cover). 

I've had different results from CGC for this type of damage.  In one submission of 25 books with this type of damage, I usually got a 9.0 or 9.2.  In my latest submission of 25 books, I got many 9.6s and 9.8s, although with somewhat smaller effects than pictured in this thread (you can see a montage of this submission in the Back From CGC thread).  So, is it different graders, or different standards at different times?  I don't know.

Here's one theory I have has a presser.  Fresh off the press, these types of bends tend to disappear as a result of the press, and with careful handling will stay hidden.  But the slightest force in the wrong direction can reintroduce them.  It's possible that these books are handled carefully all the way through the grader, and then maybe the forces get applied during later handling and encapsulation and the bends reappear.

Grades in and I got the juggle icon.  I don't know what that means, but I'm not optimistic.  

I was going to say 9.4 to 9.6 but then saw the bottom edge on the back cover in the last picture, which isn't very clear so not sure if it can be cleaned/pressed out.  8.5 to 9.0 as is.

8.0 for the corner you mentioned and an accumulation of other small flaws along the bottom.

6 points and no bullseyes.  One off on each except 2 off on the Romantic 9 where I said 5.0 and it got a 4.0.  One look at that book in its case, with the wear around the staples, and I was like - what the hell was I thinking?  

On 12/29/2022 at 12:13 AM, Gaard said:

Does "The Official CGC Guide to Grading" give any insight? I don't own one, but I would think it would say something about this.

If you want to trust the CGC book, a 9.4 can have "one or two small color breaking creases at a corner or edge ... Several small non color breaking stress lines are allowed along the spine, or a few color breaking ones."  Only one or a couple defect types can be present at once, depending on their size.

Here is the CGC result after one additional press.  I'm satisfied!

Is CGC a major account with FedEx?  If so, you'd think they'd have some pull to tell FedEx to actually treat their boxes marked Fragile, as ... Fragile.

On 10/22/2023 at 6:32 PM, Lightning55 said:

I'm still trying to figure out how CGC can tell if an insert has been married into a different book than where it originated (e.g. pulled from FF 252 and inserted into ASM 238).  Any theories???

Sometimes they can, sometimes they can't.  A certain presser on YouTube married an insert into an ASM 238 and it came back from CGC as married.  He then married a different insert into the same book, and it came back from CGC with a blue label.

CGC is surprisingly lenient, IMO, on missing pieces.  From the recent CGC grading book describing a 4.5: "Up to a 2"x2" piece can be missing from the cover, or an accumulation of smaller pieces totaling that amount."  Your example is certainly less than 2x2 so there were probably other limiting factors to the grade.

On 10/5/2023 at 7:35 PM, greggy said:

Great books.  I wish I knew your source! 

CGC has three types of graders:  Too Tight Tommy, Just Right Jimmy, and Loose as Hell Larry.  I always get the first one. 

Let's go! (I'm in)