Bomber-Bob

Stunning book. Well Done !

Maybe there is a typo ?

Indeed. In fact, even with a press and resub, I would not be surprised to see it come back lower than 7.0 . That's a pretty big stain and they dislike tape pulls. I think it is overgraded @ 7.0 .

So the book already had a small spine split as a 7.0. In hindsight, I don't think the removal of the crease would have made a grade difference anyway as the spine split would have held it down. This is what many fail to realize, simply removing all pressable defects may not make a difference if there are still other existing defects.

I think I actually did contact him once about a posted book and the books go straight to Comiclink = he told me to bid on it in the next auction !

Sorry to hear this. Just curious if you are pissed at CCS, pissed at yourself(bad decision), or just overall pissed. I'm glad to hear they at least called you first rather than just going ahead and grading it. Your experience shows pressing, especially GA books, is not without it's dangers. I wonder if special care is taken on GA books or they are simply merged in with the moderns. In your case, maybe just a light spot press, rather than a full blown press, would have been more appropriate. I think Matt Nelson is the best in the business but I doubt if he works on many books himself.

You want to press and resub everything. The book has large stains holding it at 7.0 . A press would be a big WASTE of money and time. I do agree the new slabs look awesome.

No membership required, anyone can submit for a reholder. IMO, I would not spend the money, the crack is no biggie.

Well, since you didn't show the whole slab we have no idea as to how the slab looks. If it is in an older, scratched up slab I would say go ahead and reholder it. Otherwise, it looks like a tiny stress crack, it's not harming anything so I would leave it alone. If you do send it in for reholder I would get some financial assistance from the seller.

The slab has not been tampered with. This is simply an example of soft grading by CGC. If you call CGC they will tell you a 9.8 is not perfect . Personally, I agree with you and I would not be happy with this book as a 9.8.

Here's an example of what can happen with a pressed Pedigree. If you are not familiar with the Winnipeg pedigree the SA books had the owner's signature neatly written on the top. The first image is of it's original state. Look at the signature on the second, pressed image. The ink is now smeared and ugly. How can anyone consider this an original pedigree anymore ? BTW, CGC did not care and actually gave the smeared fugly copy a higher grade. Sad.

Sorry but this is a terrible poll. Both look bad. My answer is neither.

Leave it alone. It adds to the originality of the book. Dry cleaning is simply using an eraser. Using an eraser on an arrival date will probably end up with cover color loss and look even worse.

I am against pressing a pedigree. IMO, it is loses it's provenance, it is no longer 'original'. However, CGC and the marketplace don't seem to care and all the new to market pedigrees for many years now have arrived pressed so this ship has sailed.

Years ago, I was a run collector. This was before CGC, before movie speculation, and most of the books were cheap. It was fun, I don't regret it but motivated by storage issues, I have long since gotten rid of these runs. I don't regret it. Today, I save my money for more selective purchases. Not always keys, but personal favorites or cool covers. I am much happier with my collection.

I agree that a CGC 7.0 is a CGC 7.0 BUT as far as valuation, all CGC 7.0's are not equal. Books with certain flaws are simply not as desirable and I would put Rusty staples in that category. The OP mentioned the book was priced at over 800.00. That is a strong price for this book with Rusty staples. For that kind of money, he can get a book with better credentials. I still say pass.

Those look to be Trade Paperbacks, not comic books. Trade Paperbacks usually have many printings so the best value would be the 1st printings. While these seem like a nice price I don't see a 'haul' here. They are somewhat desirable for reading but not 'in demand' as a collectible. They would not be easy to sell. That's probably why they are still there.

I always thought retirement is one of those few things in life where people are jealous but in a good, friendly way. I trust this is the case here ?

That lower left on the E-Bay Showcase #3 looks like fresh damage. I wonder if it was scraped for resto removal.

Rusty staples is one of those flaws that can get worse over time. I would avoid them.

I don't know if you have the grader's notes but if there is no mention of this bend, I doubt there would be, you may be able to approach CGC about it. I can't see the whole book but the 'encapsulator' should have used a couple wedges to better hold the book in place. It's presently not a 9.8 and may never be again. Trust me, been there, done that, this flaw will forever bother you. You need to either approach CGC and try to get it fixed or move it. You will never be happy with it. Sorry. Whatever you do, DO NOT remove it from the holder and pray the slab itself never gets a crack. If a crack is present, the crack will be blamed for the 'damage' and would probably need to be regraded. Handle with care.

It could happen in either situation, IMO, most likely afterward. It's the old SCS syndrome in play here.

I am retired but I don't think it matters. I think most of the quick trigger buyers have alerts set, not only here but on many different websites. MY only advantage is I often like titles and genres that are not currently 'hot'. I am usually only able to purchase after many have seen and passed.

Nice copy ! Hope you don't mind but I'm going to show off my copy. I bought this raw, before CGC existed, years ago. At a convention I saw this copy, the dealer had it graded at 9.0 but it was priced at top Overstreet, which was a 9.2 . As you said, it is rare, especially in grade. Thinking about it for the duration of the show I made a deal. Not so much on the price, he was pretty firm, but I used some trade. I was disappointed with the CGC grade but it was graded under the Haspel hammer era and they downgraded for the grease mark arrival . BTW, I concur that the guide is low on this book. I also have a nice copy of #2. I bought this freshly graded from CGC in an old label, obviously many years ago.

As a collector, I have learned to let the books come to me. So, I don't seek the books out, I buy when I see something I want. The fun is in the hunt, no hurry.