Bomber-Bob

I'm sure CGC will recognize the Pedigree but, IMO, you are desecrating the Pedigree. Part of the appeal about collecting pedigree comics is that books from the same pedigree will have the same uniform feel from aging in the same environment. Adding a signature negates that originality and uniformity. I would consider simply leaving the Pedigree designation off.

Sorry to hear your book was 'stabbed'. Not sure what you are referring to but it sounds like you have a book that was removed from the slab.

I don't think it was manufactured like that. This may be a married cover situation.

Greetings. BTW, it first 'edition', not addition. This is the Annual #1, not the regular #1. I also see color rub and handling wear. I'm sorry but this is only a dollar book.

There's always a drop in price between seasons but I am getting the feeling that many are giving up on the Walking Dead. Not so much because of the comic book storyline but because of the TV show.

In the post slab pic, it looks like there is some paper loss, parallel to the staple, right along the spine. The paper was pulled off. I believe it was from this pull that caused the staple to detach. I'm not a presser but maybe the book was not covered properly ? Or maybe the book had a sticky substance in that location causing a pull when pressing?

I'm not sure but if you pay for the CCS screening service and something happens you may have a better chance at compensation. Otherwise it's always been a gray area. Realizing things can happen in shipping and handling, it's near impossible to prove who is at fault.

Regarding Flash 123, that's a good question. Unlike so many hot books which jump on movie related news, I think this is simply a cool book with a great cover. The price appreciation has been slow and steady but the sale on the 8.5 was a big jump.

I have learned that when you get an inquiry or offer like this it usually means the book is about to pop = say NO. I got quite a few inquires and noticed numerous WTB requests for my FF 48 just before it popped. In fact, the best place to learn about upcoming 'hot' books is from watching the WTB threads. Some folks just get the news before others.

But have you exceeded 5K before ? It may be that anything over 5K is moot for filing a claim with USPS.

Yes, but regardless of the exceptional quality of this specific book, it is now the new 'base' for future 6.0 offerings. That's just how it works in this marketplace and on these Boards.

If it was USPS, I think the max is 5K. So the 4,700 declared value makes sense. Beyond that would be the private insurance.

I do like the dry cleaning of a dirty BC spine. It will make the book look a whole lot better. However, that would be done on a complete area. In this case, just doing the white areas withing the artwork will not look good. Rule#1, whatever work you are doing on a book should not be noticeable.

I've seen many books like this where an attempt to clean 'just the white areas' comes out looking terrible. It is not as apparent in the slab but out of the slab it simply does not look good. To me it's analogous to a CT scraping = it is just so obvious what was done. Call my response 'temperamental' if you want but I agree, what the heck has the hobby come to. It's a nice book, leave it alone.

I don't know, but it is possible, that CGC has private insurance on top the declared value.

No Golden Age Flash. He was a completely different character from the Silver Age Barry Allen I grew up on. I once had the last issue of the GA series #104 but no longer.

Makes me even more happy to own this.........

Nice auction sale today on Flash 123...............

I don't think it will help the grade at all. I see at least 3 areas of color breaking creases and you have the stain. I'm around the 6.0 area.

I did a little detective work and I believe I know the exact book he is referring to and the staples have extensive rust. I stand by my statement that I would not buy this book.

Anyone can buy the notes, it is not owned or exclusive to the owner . I've bought them several times for a potential purchase.

If the OP quoted the grader's notes directly... CGC notes indicate “staple rust with small stains at centrefold”. that sure sounds like the stains are from the rust. Why else would they choose the word 'with' in the statement 'rust with stains'. CGC is very careful on the wording in their notes. I knew someone that got the notes on a key book changed because the wording gave the wrong impression to prospective buyers. If this book is already in a slab and the OP is considering buying it I doubt if a photo of the inside centerfold is available.

I thought this was a Silver Age thread ?

He did say the grader's notes say staple rust with small stains. If there is staining, that is no longer light rust and usually means the majority of the staple has rust. IMO, the damage is too far along on this book, I would avoid it. Curious about the rust doesn't affect the grade below 8.0 comment. I find this hard to believe, especially with staining. In fact this example is a 7.0 and the rust is mentioned in the notes = it must have affected the grade.

I agree with all the comments above, don't buy the book !