Bomber-Bob

I kind of agree with you. You can hype a book with superlatives about it's appearance, maybe upgradable, etc. That's okay since it's just an opinion. But using the term 'rare' can be challenged with quantifiable research like you have done here. IT probably should be regarded as a 'lie'.

I am speechless. Putting it in auction is the only way to truly ascertain FMV. Good Luck !

I suspect Brulato would have been privy to the art of pressing long before the rest of us so it's possible he pressed the Curators. Yes, he was on board early with CGC submissions. I don't know when he actually hooked up with Jason before eventually making a joint business venture. He seems to be keeping a low profile lately, don't see him as much as I used to.

I would hope the Curators were not touched. They actually stood on their own and probably only needed a light press in some circumstances. I believe the Curator X-Men #1 got a 9.8 on it's first submission and, for a while, was the only 9.8 on the census. The Curators came out just before CGC started and Brulato got most of the good stuff. It's still one of my favorite pedigrees, incredible page quality, and not too many books in the marketplace. However, you raise a good point.

IMO, Reserve auctions typically don't do well. Personally, I don't even bother bidding when I see Reserve. I'm sure there are others that feel the same. Doug is transitioning from dealing in strictly Marvel to some DC. DC is a different marketplace than Marvel. DC bidders are not used to paying insane multiples like the Marvel Junkies. The 9.2 Showcase 22 didn't make Reserve either. 80,500 for a 9.0 isn't bad. I think a 9.2 would have crushed the 100K mark ,but not a 9.0, yet.

80,500 Reserve Not Met.

Oh, so your original comment was tongue in cheek. Sorry, couldn't tell ?

Regarding resubmitting this book for possible upgrade. If, by definition, the addition of glue or CT does not improve the grade and therefore is not trying to restore it to a better, previous condition, how can this book be considered for an upgrade ? If an upgrade is given to 9.6, the consideration of a blue label would have to be dropped as the work does improve the grade. Otherwise you would be saying that the underlying flaws would be acceptable in a 9.6. Unless this book has absolutely no other flaws, that's really pushing the boundaries.

Did they tell you why the policy was apparently only applied to Golden Age ? I have a key Silver Age book with literally a dot on the apex of the spine that got a Purple Label. The single dot, the size of a tip of the pen, was verified by Matt and Lon Allen as all there was. The book got an 8.5 and no way would the dot improve the grade. IMO, this 'policy' was simply an excuse to appease some collectors. I would hope this 'policy' is no longer in effect. My only point with all this was I would not chance a resub. Others feel this 'policy' would protect it. I'm not too sure.

I may be wrong but isn't the appeal of getting a comic signed the personalized aspect of it ? It was worth it to YOU to stand in line and pay the fees to get a favorite comic signed by your favorite artist. However, that may not translate into someone else paying a premium in the secondary market. How does a collector liquidating his SS books assign FMV ? I have a feeling that the Bid and Asked for SS books are wider than normal.

Why would somebody touch up a book with glue and CT if not, for the sole reason, of restoring it to a better condition ? This may be some quote Borock and CGC used at the beginning to justify the logic behind allowing it in a Blue Label but I don't see it holding up today. Let's just say the book had a non color breaking crease, holding the book to 9.4. Any improvement with CT/Glue would not be enough to overcome that crease. However, in today's environment, the crease can be pressed out. If so, now the book will improve with the CT/Glue. Let me ask this, are there any examples of books graded today, new label, that got a Blue labels with CT/Glue ? Graded, not reholdered.

Back Cover scan ?

I think the OP said he thinks signatures are great BUT his question is 'do they actually add value to the book or is it just for showcasing? '. I'm curious myself as I have doubts, in the long term, the valuation on signed books will hold up.

I think it's a great looking copy. 9.0 is an insane grade for that book. It doesn't need a flattened spine.

I don't follow the marketplace for SS books but I've always suspected they may be difficult to sell. Personally, I'd rather put my money into the grade of the book as opposed to a Signature.

I think there's more than just CT resto going on with this book.

I agree. In some ways, what's being done today is worse. Years ago, few knew what was going on. Today, many know but just don't care. The stakes are higher, one tick can mean tens of thousands in valuation, brings out the worst in people.

8.0 to 9.4 . It's really sad that we are working within an environment that can see such swings.

The More Fun has both Color Touch and dried glue . If that's not Restored, what is ? Previously, it was either Purple or not. Now, there are tiers for Restoration. Books like this may now fit into a tier of say Conserved. As far as how CGC would now view the glue, it depends on what it's doing. If it's holding a chip onto the book, CGC would no longer disregard that chip for grading. If it's holding onto a detached staple, the book may now get a Qualified. Just as with the tape, the underlying flaw is no longer ignored. In any case, I would never risk resubmitting that book. It's such a shame that someone worked on a beautiful book like this. You know it didn't come out of Edgar's Church's basement like that.

Whatever.

Why are you resubmitting it ? It's probably been pressed already. A press and or cleaning is not going to help all those tears and stains. IMO, the book looks to be in a very fragile state, especially at the top two corners. I already see a dangling piece at the bottom left of the front cover. It looks pretty safe in it's current slab. I would have left it alone. BTW, the videos were pretty useless, too much glare. Nice book as is.

Sorry but there is no way to answer your question. There are no standard deductions for certain flaws that we can simply quote. It mostly depends on the condition of the rest of the book. If it's low grade, it probably won't matter much.

I understand what you mean about 'anything below 8.0'. I'm usually good to about 4.5 VG+, anything below that, to me, is drek. I think this book is better than 4.5, at best 5.5 . The long diagonal creases on the back will hold it in that range. The OWL card is pretty useless, IMO, the pages are OW but the lighting looks dark.

It's only an unrestored 9.4 if it remains in THAT slab. If it were graded today, I think the results would be different. Didn't Borock admit to making some bad decisions on these type of books early on ? He regretted and specifically mentioned certain books. The landscape was different back then. He was playing PR to get CGC accepted into the marketplace. Now, CGC has the upper hand.

I have a 'Spidey sense' about 10 cent DC's. With all you Marvel Junkies out there, DC , outside of Batman, has been reasonably priced. I'm starting to notice it's getting harder to win a DC in auction on the cheap. Even Doug Schmell has caught on to DC with his current, mostly DC auction. With the uber high grade DC's in this auction, I predict it will get the market's attention. Notable sales usually lead the charge.