Bomber-Bob

Takes me about 10 seconds but I like to maintain the posts, free of cracks. I especially enjoy the first generation inner wells that literally peel off, no cutting required.

True but the corners are not the usual target for CT. It's usually on the spine tics, often by the staple area. BTW, don't rip the corners off, use a fingernail clipper to get a rounded effect and CGC may allow it as a bindery flaw, a chip that fell off.

I agree. The color scrape is so obvious as the paper underneath is usually snow white. It looks terrible. IMO, it is destruction, done to game the system for profit. This book should stay as is. I like Bob's suggestion of ripping off the cover better than the color scrape.

This book was graded in 2011, without a doubt the most loose period in CGC grading history. I've stated many times around here that I avoid purchasing any book graded in 2011. It was a good year for the submitters but a bad year for the buyers.

From your comment about the slab laying flat, I wonder if you are onto something. Maybe they leave CGC okay but in the process of shipping, they develop the Newton rings. Maybe from pressure or laying flat ?

You could be correct OR the books may have simply been reholdered, not regraded, in which case the label info remained the same ?

I'm sure he's joking. There used to be a trick you could use on the older generation slabs that opened up slightly on the sides. You could open a side up and slide a piece of paper in there and it would remove the Newton Rings. Worked every time. The trouble is the new case design is too snug.

Just asking but, by any chance, did you recently install a smart thermostat ? Turns out I had problems this week with my AC also, sounds somewhat similar to you. At first they thought it was the TXV, then they thought the compressor, and finally they sent out a technician that figured it out. It was my Nest thermostat. I guess these new smart thermostats draw more power and tap the heating/cooling system for the voltage it needs = my AC was not getting enough voltage. It ran but was blowing room temperature air. He fixed it by feeding the thermostat directly, something called a common line ?

I always like the Seinfeld episode where he returns a jacket because he didn't like the salesman. They ask him the reason for return and he answers 'spite'.

Yes, the grade is definitely not hammered. I know I have a Silver Age specimen @ 8.5 . It's usually not an obvious flaw, you have to angle the book to see it, but I know it's there.

I would inspect this book very carefully, compare it to any original sales pics. Though the case may be intact, I am concerned the book may have shifted inside the slab. It looks like the left side and top edge of the book is wedged up against the walls of the inner well. They are usually not encased this way as it is proper to leave room for a little movement.

I think you threw us off with your original description. 'Small curve leaving a hollow space' = waviness. Nothing to worry about, very common on Moderns these days.

I know exactly what you are talking about. It's usually from a price tag that was written on while on the book. I also hate this flaw, drives me crazy. It definitely affects the grade. IMO, send it back.

Once you get the hang of it, you will be able to quickly assess your new, off the shelf books for 'flaws' like this. In this case, you just picked a copy with a dent, sorry. Take it back and exchange it.

I wouldn't know but a quick search on this question yielded the following..... Yes you can submit to CGC in person in Sarasota, however in order to do that you need to have one of our paid collector's society memberships and we also need a 24 hour advance notice.

I totally agree. I've seen pre-chips fall off in the slab. For this kind of money, it is a risk.

I'm sure your books will be fine. I live in the Chicago area = same humidity as you. I have my books in the basement with a dehumidifier going 24 X 7. The house AC alone doesn't get the humidity level low enough for me. I'm surprised, living in the midwest, you don't have at least one dehumidifier in the house ?

Worst thing I ever encountered, mold. Trust me, if the book is moldy, toss it, immediately. Don't attempt to salvage it, don't even breathe around it, just toss it.

On the few books with inserts I encountered, they seem to add support, similar to a backing board. The books were remarkably flat and free of creases. I kinda like them.

The Board complaints are always from Newbies that are not familiar with Newton Rings.

I like the tight grading, I really do ! Personally, I would never give the first book an 8.0 with that crease but I've seen CGC allow it in an 8.0 too many times.

Eric since all your posts are for similar requests, I think you should post them in the correct forum, CGC Registry. There, your posts will be read by someone that can act upon it. We can't do anything.

Happy Birthday ! I really think this is the issue to have for the 1st Red Sonja. Great copy, CONGRATS !

I wouldn't reslab for the dust and debris but maybe for the smudge, if it's on the case ?Regarding the debris, here's a 'trick' for you. Since the sides on the older generation slabs are generally loose, take an envelope, or something slightly thicker than a sheet of paper, and slide it into the slab. You should be able to either remove the debris or shift it out of sight.

I agree that it should be slabbed and it is a mid grade, 6.0ish, book. However, I don't like the browning on the spine. Also, it appears the page quality is darker near the top and whitens up near the bottom half. How was it stored ? Was it bagged and boarded, if so, was it sealed at the top ?