Bomber-Bob

Oh no, questions like this, regarding pressing, can be very controversial and many get upset. I will answer with MY OPINIONS but be prepared for some backlash. First off, a properly pressed book should offer no clues that it was pressed. This is the reason CGC decided they would not regard pressing as restoration because they could not always tell. The characteristic you described, the right edge pages not lining up, can be from pressing but not always. IMO, it depends on the severity of the fanning and other characteristics of the book to determine if it's from pressing. I hate the look and simply avoid books like this. Other signs of a poorly pressed book are extremely flat spines, a natural spine should be a little plump with a rounded look. Take a look at the spine of a book fresh off the stands. I can offer more information but I don't feel like reacting to the forthcoming comments.

Pretty rough shape but no pieces missing. I agree it's in the 3.5/4.0 range. Usually, a 4.5 is your average, well read book. This book seems a little worse than average wear.

I think the 'stain' you referenced on the first #28 may be distributor. If so, the book looks pretty solid, VF, VF+ range.

BTW, Welcome to the Boards ! Thanks for the thorough response. Puzzling, nothing in your procedures would indicate a problem. The pre screen I referenced is a service offered by CGC where you can specify the minimum grade desired to be slabbed. I think you need at least 25 comics though.

I think you need to give us more information. Are these Moderns, Bronze, etc ????? Do you pre screen ? Are you submitting the books directly to CGC = from you to CGC ? No pressing service, LCS submissions, etc. BTW, if these are Moderns and you store them in a Modern bag and board, that may be your problem. They are too snug and difficult to remove = can cause finger bends. Don't use Modern size Bag and Boards.

I'm judging that from what I can see of the BC pic. The left edge has two large folds/tears exposing some paper. In any case, the pages don't come into play with the grade anyway. BTW, I hope I'm wrong with the black mold because it's nasty.

I'm confused. Did Piper take it ?

The GSX1 looks to have more than just simple dirt. It looks like black mold has started. I'm thinking the book has sustained some severe water damage and was left to dry out in the bag. My point is , I don't think this book will clean up that easily. The pages look awfully brown, maybe tan. I see a 3.0 book here. Sorry.

There are over 2,700 CGC graded copies of AF15 . BTW, there are only 1400 copies of CGC graded Hulk 1. Rarity is not an issue.

Good catch on that top staple, it sure looks detached. These 'what is the highest possible grade' inquiries befuddle me as we all know it depends on the rest of the book. Without knowing what the Back cover looks like, I just don't see this any higher than a 3.0, tops. I don't think CGC would give a Green Label for the detached staple at this level, so it would go against the grade = if the top staple is detached make it 2.5 tops. The bottom of the spine also looks 'funny', maybe a spine split ?

Unfortunately, this title is not as desirable as The Amazing Spider-Man. The bottom two corners looked dinged. I see at least two deep spine creases. I'm thinking 9.0, give or take one tick either way. FMV in the 50.00 range. IMO, not worth grading.

I totally agree with you here but, unfortunately, Last GPA seems to rule. Also, as a buyer, it hurts to buy a book at FMV that is over the last GPA, if the sale is not going to be recorded. I always consider this when buying on the Boards.

That's some significant water stains. Realizing this is not the PGM thread but yet trying to be helpful to the Newbie, I don't see how this can grade any higher than 7.0 .

I think if the OP can show us a bigger scan = the whole book, we will be able to judge better. OP, if this is the case, that the book has sustained damage after it was slabbed, it should be sent back to CGC. You should probably get the notes to see if the staple area is mentioned.

IMO, yes, it is excessive for a 9.4. I think I see staple oxidation also ? Staple tears are tricky because they can get worse in the slab, from banging around in shipping to just gravity while storing vertically. BTW, if this were my book, I would store it flat = less stress on the staple area.

Here's an example. Notice the label says the 1st cover was never glued on..... http://www.myslabbedcomics.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=11381&GSub=888

I believe this is true = the outer cover would not be attached. The cover on square bounds were glued . The pages were stapled but not to the cover. The outer cover on the double cover was probably not glued because it was just two covers sticking together, going through the process once.

Though a good question, I just don't see how anyone can definitely answer you. Many will give opinions, most agree CGC has waxed and waned over the years with tight periods and loose periods. A lot has to do with personal results. Also, CGC does not publish or offer their grading guidelines. Supposedly CGC is lenient on known production flaws. They downgrade for fingerprints. They hammer stains.

I don't think the OWL card is actively used or referenced in the marketplace. There really isn't any recognized 'tool'. As with grading, it is a skill that comes with experience.

Since I've been buying the Walking Dead off the stands since nearly the beginning, after reading your comments I decided to take a look at my copy. Well, it seems I don't have a copy. I vaguely remember there was an issue that I put back because all the copies at my LCS were terrible. A spine tick or two, 9.4ish, would not have bothered me so it must have been bad. I bet it was this issue. Interesting. No wonder I've seen this issue come up in a WTB thread.

I concur with the OP's assessment that the book was trimmed. It's not the fact that the top is angled but that it's razor sharp. And the 'hump' you referenced looks to be a 'mistake' started over.

You may be correct with certain topics discussed on the Boards. Most recent example being the design of the New Slab V1. The discussion here definitely had a ripple effect leading to CGC changing it. Another example, from a few years ago, was the Boards discussion about tape, influencing CGC to change their grading policy on Tape. However, I don't think our discussion, in this thread, has much of an influence on anyone.

Come to think of it, the label almost always says 'Small' CT = just a generic entry.

It really is a nice looking book. It needs to be reholdered as the book looks a little loose in the inner well. There is some mild SCS but nothing that can't be fixed.