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Lee K

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Journal Entries posted by Lee K

  1. Lee K

    Grades

    By Lee K,

    for the last of my ECCC SS submissions...
    Are in.
    And finally, for the first time since March of 2012, I have no pending orders at CGC. Wow!
    Oh - yeah - and all six books are coming home 9.8/White
    Which makes me happy.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K
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  2. Lee K

    Interlude 3

    By Lee K,

    Some books are better from the inside
    Only a couple of you know this, but in addition to being a comicbook geek I am also an actor specializing in medieval combat. Think your local renaissance Faire or medieval times restaurant, only I also do stage combat choreography for a local playhouse and a summer Shakespeare group. In fact I will be choreographing Othello later this week.
    If you want to check it out, feel free: www.seattleknights.com or www.facebook.com/emiltheblack
    One of the great coincidences in life is that there is in the universe someone else who is a comicbook geek (albeit for GA Tarzan books) who also enjoys jousting: Mike Grell. For those of you not immediately familiar with his work, he worked heavily for DC from about 73(?), mostly on Legion/Superboy, but also Green Lantern, and eventually on his own Green Arrow title, as well as creating The Warlord and handling the majority of that run too. Mike had a book he either wrote or drew or both published every month for the better part of thirty years, and falls in the category of greatly underappreciated contributors to our hobby.
    I met Mike about twenty years ago through our shared hobby and as a reader and collector of his Green Arrow series was immediately star-struck, but he is such a down to earth human being that this soon passed. As a friend and a fellow artist, Mika allows me to hang in his studio while he is working, as long as he isn't in the beginning phases of his creation process, at that time even I am banned. There is little in the world that I find cooler than this - but the following is.
    In 2003 Mike was working for Marvel on Iron Man (not the best fit, really) and he did an Iron Man in King Arthur's court kind of storyline entitled In Shining Armor in issues 59, 60, & 61. And in those issues he used my 'character' Emil and me as the physical and character model for the story's bad guy Emile. Mind you, I've never been the 6+ feet tall that he drew me, but there is no question that it is me. I capon even express how I feel about this even now, after the passage of ten years. I am so incredibly honored.
    I have had Mike sign these books for me, but he signed them in his studio, so they shall forever remain unslabbed so that I might read my own adventures over and over again.
    Thanks Mike.
    Happy Hunting!
    And Happy Reading.
    Emil the Black

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  3. Lee K

    6/66

    By Lee K,

    So a funny thing happened on the way to completing the go-go check collection...
    June 1966 happened. Right in the middle of the go-go check run, here are all these books with an issue date of 6/66 - or at least that's how CGC shows June 1966 on the label.
    Here's the other funny thing about 6/66 - it shows up on the label of two of the main key issues in the go-go check run. Odd? Heck yea. Particularly since most of the series in 1966 aren't monthly. So in the twenty-one or twenty-two month (depending on how you count it) run of go-go checks - two key issues, both introducing new characters, both of whom had their intro in monthly books, had their intro in June of 1966.
    At number six, I give you one difficult book to find in high grade.
    Our Army at War issue 168, CGC 9.2 off-white, with an issue date of June 1966.
    The first appearance of The Unknown Soldier, who later went on to headline his own series for several years.
    I am very pleased that this book came available at the same time I had money to secure it.
    In the picture below, it is on the left.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K

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  4. Lee K

    7th Son

    By Lee K,

    of the 7th son...
    Or something like that.
    In the 40s & 50s - heck - even the early 60s it wasn't uncommon to find a comic whereon the cover featured a scantily clad woman being accosted by an octopus or squid or shark - (my personal favorite is a copy of More Fun Comics where Green Arrow is fighting an octopus underwater - with a bow, I love golden age books).
    Number 7 on my purge survival list also features a damsel in a bathing suit and a giant tentacled monster from the deeps - but the only ones being rescued here are the men in the longboat being rescued from the boredom of their lives.
    OK - the story doesn't read that way - but the cover is wonderful, the pages are white, and the cover has excellent colors and composition. Additionally, the cover is missing something minor - it doesn't have a price.
    At number 7 on my PSL I give you: House of Mystery 133, CGC 9.0 white, with an issue date of April 1963.
    I think that some day more early 60s House of Mystery books will make it into my collection...but this is my prize right now.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee

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  5. Lee K

    8track

    By Lee K,

    From 1965 to the mid 1970's the 8track tape was the final word in portable music...
    And portable music made th late 60's a happening time.
    Number eight on the Lee K purge survival list isn't a single book, but rather three.
    These three books are a reminder that the sixties were a happening time for comic writers, artists and editors as well. Difficult to locate in any top condition, because the good ones are locked up in the top collections, romance and funny animal books were still a mainstay at DC.
    And the romance book covers often capture a piece of the grooviness that the sixties could have been.
    At number eight I offer you these:
    The Fox and the Crow issue 96, CGC 9.2 off-white, with an issue date of Feb/Mar 1966
    Girl's Romances issue 121, CGC 9.2 cream/off-white, with an issue date of December 1966
    &
    Young Love issue 57, CGC 9.4 white, with an issue date of Sep/Oct 1966
    Simpler comics from a simpler time.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K

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  6. Lee K

    interlude no. 2

    By Lee K,

    When you make a list...and check it twice
    Sometimes you see something that you overlooked the first time.
    What I noticed when compiling my list of my ten favorite covers of all time is the dearth of superhero books on it. I mean, I collect and read superhero books. I loved the Justice League, Avengers, and Green Lantern/Green Arrow as a young man, and many a Fantastic Four story is ingrained in my brain...
    But, when it comes to iconic cover art that really resonates with me - superheros books just don't seem to make the list.
    Certainly when I think X-Men the first image that pops into my head is the cover to issue 50.
    When I think Spiderman - that image is whatever issue it is where Medusa has him all tied up in her hair.
    But when I think all-time, superstar cover images, well not a whole bunch of super-images come to my mind.
    Now that I have indulged myself in my lengthy sidebar, I should continue with the books that didn't quite make the top ten list...
    2nd Runner Up: Superman 14. Oh my goodness - what an iconic image by Ray. So good is this image that 75 years later DC issued a statue based on this cover. Superman, the shield, the eagle, the line drawings of tanks & howitzers behind him - it just doesn't get much better than that.
    3rd Runner Up: Strange Adventures 51. Google this image - unlike Superman 14, above, I haven't been able to find a copy of this for my collection in VFish - but I will, I love this great pink cover and the outfits and the glass breathing domes. Excellent 50's DC sci-fi goodness.
    Honorable mention - I feel bad that I have constructed my list of ten books and when I was done there were no images by the three 70's comic artist with the complete bodies of work that I love the most:
    Wm Michael Kaluta - and his cover for The Shadow issue 1
    Barry Windsor Smith - and his cover for Conan 16
    Bernie Wrightson - and his cover for House of Mystery 231
    When I think of those great 70's artists - those are the images that leap to my mind.
    Soon - the actual top ten list.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee

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  7. Lee K

    Pluto

    By Lee K,

    Or in my day, there were nine planets...
    Which would be an excellent intro for the number nine book if it were a copy of any issue of Planet Comics...alas that is a collection I haven't started. Yet. But dang they are pretty.
    Instead number nine is a gift from a friend. Without warning, the very first time I went to Ronnylama's house to visit with him, he gifted me with a stack of SA DC sci-fi books from his collection of slabs. Simply knowing that these were part of the focus of my collection and no longer part of his was enough for Ronnylama to act.
    And now they are all cherished parts of my collection, but none of them more than this.
    At number nine on my 'purge survival list' - I give you: Mystery in Space issue no. 75, with cover art by Infantino and Anderson at CGC 9.4, with a issue date of May, 1962.
    This is one of those books that I have always considered buying but never did. Both sci-fi and an early appearance of the Justice League of America, plus a truly groovy cover.
    Thank you Ronnylama.

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  8. Lee K

    Interlude no. 1

    By Lee K,

    side comments and thoughts...
    At the same time that many of us have been discussing what ten books we would retain under dire circumstances, Heritage Auctions has been running a piece on their Facebook on the ten best comic covers of all time.
    As each of the people at Heritage have listed their ten favorite covers and why, I have thought a little about the covers they have shared and about the covers they have overlooked or not considered.
    There are covers I consider iconic, there are covers I consider 'the best' - but really, if I could only choose ten, what are the ten covers that I would gladly hang in my living room as art.
    I've been back and forth on this - and I will shortly post my list shortly - but first my honoroble mentions:
    First Runner Up: Sea Devils #3 - one of my absolute favorite grey-toned covers, quite possibly the best one. Most of the Sea Devils issues and all their Showcase appearances feature grey-toned covers, something that DC did right across many genres (if I remember there is even a single issue of either Batman or Detective with a grey-tone) but was used heavily in war books, sci-fi books and for Sea Devils.
    I have to admit is was really, really difficult not to include this in my top-ten, all-time, cover images.
    What are your ten favorite comic covers of all time?
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K

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  9. Lee K

    Bo Derek

    By Lee K,

    Or, my 10.
    As I compare the pile/list of books that are my updated purge survivor list a couple of truths become evident:
    I can't count.
    I'm no good at giving away my toys.
    I'm glad I don't have my SS shipment back from CGC.
    And I'm glad Tnerb hasn't sent me my new SS books either.
    (More on the eight books I don't have in hand in another journal)
    Number ten is a book that I owned, but that didn't make my top ten list thirty months ago.
    For your consideration I give you: G.I.Combat issue 112.
    An old-label, CGC 8.5 with off-white pages, a Joe Kubert cover, and an issue date of June/July 1965.
    It is possible that my primary focus on go-go check books doesn't allude to my other two serious loves: war books & sci-fi books. I have to admit, on the average I love them more than the superheroes. Of course, individual issues will prove the exception.
    But why this war book, or more specifically this issue?
    1. It is my birthday book. Although I have a handful of books with a release date of July 1965, this was the first one I purchased because it was my birth month.
    2. The cover. Ok, so you have to scroll down to see the cover, but look at those colors! That composition!
    So, this is the book, number ten on my list of ten books I would try to retain even if I had to sell everything else.
    Soon, number nine.

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  10. Lee K
    Or, where are all the 'other' stories
    I took a moment today, while I was in my LCS to really consider and compare my reading options whilst scanning the DC rack. (I will consider marvel another time)
    After eliminating everything published under the Vertigo brand, here is what remained:
    One western title
    Four or five (depending on how you count them) occult titles
    A giant poo.load of superhero titles.
    That's it. No real options there.
     
    Personally, I collect titles from 66 & 67 - DC's go-go check era, and my want list includes the following:
    One western title (Tomahawk)
    Four humor books
    Plus one funny animal book (Fox & Crow)
    Seven romance books
    Six war books
    One parody book (Inferior 5)
    One of whatever you categorize Swing with Scooter as
    Five science fiction books
    Three books of heroes (Sea Devils, Challengers, Blackhawks)
    Whatever you consider Doom Patrol to be
    Lois Lane & Jimmy Olsen books
    And twenty superhero books.
    So...where have all our choices gone?

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  11. Lee K

    TEN

    By Lee K,

    Really? Only ten?
    Since Surfer's original query has recently picked up new life, once again because Tnerb had to say something, I thought it was time for me to reconsider my original posting of ten books that I would try to save in the instance of a disaster or, gods forbid, I am forced to purge every book that I own for some unforseen reason.
    I remembered having answered this question and since my memory isn't what it once was, I concluded that I must have answered it oh, about a year ago...
    Boy, did I underestimate. In October of 2010 I answered Surfer's query with the following list:
    1. Batman #59, 8.0 OW
    2. Brave & the Bold #28, 3.0 CR/OW
    3. Brave & the Bold #70, 9.4 OW - Pacific Coast
    4. More Fun Comics #78, 5.5 OW
    5. Our Army at War #168, 9.2 OW
    6. Our Army at War #172, 9.4 OW/W
    7. Sea Devils 3, 7.0 W
    8. Strange Adventures 195, 9.0 OW - White Mountain
    9. Wonder Woman 164, 9.4 CR/OW
    10. Worlds Finest 165, 9.6 OW/W
    As I look back on where I was 30 months ago, I wonder how much my list may or may not have changed. Are books that were new to me then less shiny now? Have new acquisitions superceded my love for some of these fine books?
    I think over the next couple of weeks I will work my way through the above books and then start to consider the possibility of a new list for 2013.
    Anyway, this will give Tnerb time to get me my two most recent SS books so I have them in hand.
    In the mean time -
    Happy Hunting!

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  12. Lee K

    CGC QC

    By Lee K,

    shipping & handling
    In 2013 I have received five packages back from CGC. Two of which were submitted in 2012 and three others submitted this year at ECCC.
    It is the three 2013 invoices I would like to address, a six book invoice of SA & BA SS books on fast track, a two book SS modern invoice, and a four book modern invoice.
    As many of you know, all six of my SA & BA books arrived with broken slabs, but the box which was shipped USPS registered was unscathed. Having noted no damage to the box, I didn't thoroughly examine my books until I took them down to photograph them for the registry. These books are currently at CGC being reslabbed.
    What I remembered was that the books unpacked unusually easy, and in retrospect I felt that the packing of my books was substandard. Not just below CGC standards, which in the past have required a knife, persistence, and occasionally a chainsaw in order to access my books - packing I respect - but beneath general industry standards when compared to what is shipped to me by Clink, Heritage, Worldwide, Pedigree and the other sites/shops I purchase from online.
    When my two packages of moderns arrived over the weekend, I held onto them until I could take them to my LCS and open them in front of a friend who has opened CGC packages with me in the past.
    This is what I found: 1 layer of styrofoam peanuts, 1 piece of bubble wrap (large bubble type), slab, piece of cardboard, slab, piece of cardboard, slab, invoice, piece of cardboard, slab, bubble wrap folded over on the bottom & two sides.
    Here is what I didn't find: any tape holding things in place, anything between the top of my slabs and the inside of the box, anything keeping my books from sliding around inside the packing material.
    I am surprised these two packages arrived undamaged.
    I feel if we want our cherished books shipped carefully, we must speak up.
    Sincerely
    Lee K

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  13. Lee K

    132

    By Lee K,

    or 131...?
    So I'm now 4+ years into building and slabbing the go-go check collection. And I still love my focus - there's something for me in every genre - from funny animal to superhero to western, and in every price range from inexpensive to hard on my pocketbook expensive.
    The thing is: now I have reached a milestone - the next book I buy or slab for the collection will represent 25% completion, 132 of 531 books.
    What I am wondering is this: should I try to cross my milestone with a 'milestone' book? There's only a couple in the go-go check era and after eliminating the ones I have only two significant investments remain: Detective 359 and Superman's Girlfriend 70. And I just don't know that I am in a position to invest in a milestone book this summer.
    So do I wait? Save & wait? Or do I move forward and save the milestone book for the half-way point?
    Thoughts?
    Not entirely random go-go check image below:
    Happy Hunting!

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  14. Lee K

    ECCC

    By Lee K,

    con time
    Friday was disappointing only because I couldn't get the signatures I wanted, but the opportunity to meet Tnerb and Ronnylama more made up for it. What a couple of really excellent people and I feel blessed to have spent time with then.
    Today at con was excellent. Not only did I get every signature I wanted, Adams, O'Neill, Grell, Chaykin, Choi, Linser, and Busiek, but I was assisted by a CGC signature witness who was the best. Lilly - thank you.
    Tonight I'll enjoy a quiet dinner with Grell and his wife and tomorrow ill relax and maybe even shop a little.
    Happy Huntin
    Lee K
  15. Lee K

    ECCC

    By Lee K,

    Slabs are here
    Ok, so my books have been her for a week, but I just had time to take them out and get them imaged for my sets and I discovered something wonderful!
    Every single slab is broken in the upper right corner!
    This has never happened to me before, so what is the right thing to do?
    Thanks
    Lee K

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  16. Lee K

    Stan's

    By Lee K,

    The Red Skull
    So I finally found my 1st SA appearance of the Red Skull, and I am not disappointed with the condition, maybe a seven.
    So I guess I have selected the book I want Stan's sig on.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K

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  17. Lee K

    ECCC Grades

    By Lee K,

    Well - the fast track ones anyway
    My first set of books are shipped - the other two to come in 4.5 months or so, since they are on the slow boat from China...
    First 3 books SS by Neil Adams
    Strange Adventures 213 - 9.4 W
    Justice League America 139 - 9.4 W
    Justice League America 138 - 9.6 W
    Green Lantern 92 - SS by Mike Grell & Denny O'Neil - 9.6 OW/W
    Weird War Tales 40 - SS by Howard Chaykin - 9.6 - OW/W
    Weird Worlds 8 - SS Howard Chaykin & Denny O'Neil - 9.4 -W
    I am pleased!
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  18. Lee K

    I have been graded

    By Lee K,

    My ECCC fast-track signature series books are now listed as graded.
    Wow. I wasn't expecting that till I came back from vacation.
     
    Now - when will my actual grades be available?
    I'm so excited I'm like Little Lotta in a candy store - I don't know which way to turn.
    Lee K
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  19. Lee K

    Final destination

    By Lee K,

    we will arrive momentarily
    And as I was in the process of typing my required 'teaser' UPS delivered my package.
    I've already discussed my grades (see previous journal - but, as a reminder: 8.0, 8.0, 9.2, & 9.0 for my SA 72, SA 159, SA 186, & Capt Storm 12).
    What I want to reflect on is my turn-around time. Just over 6 months ago, when I dropped the first half of this double submission in the mail, I asked if I should anticipate having my books back in my hands in less than half a year.
    Today, later, when I open the package, that was sent first and received second, 194 calendar days will have passed. Calendar days.
    In thinking about this, I reflected on how inappropriate it is to use a 'business days' in an estimated elapsed time, when it is greater than two weeks. 10 business days is a real estimate. 40 business days is a way of obsfucating the truth - which is 8 weeks or 56 days.
    I am forced through my work to often work with state statutes and federal bankruptcy laws - and what stands out is the terms. Granted the terms are hard and fast. If statute states not to exceed 120 days - they mean 120 days and they don't really much care if the 120th day is Christmas Eve. The thing is - under a certain number of days, typically for ten days of fewer - then statute means business days. For any number of days quoted by statute greater than ten - they disclose and they mean calendar days, typically excluding the day of receipt but including every other day including the last day.
    So - why is it so hard for CGC to state clearly and simply that their turn around times are 180 days? or 200 days? or however many actual calendar days are going to most likely elapse?
    I remain satisfied with my product - but disappointed with my service.
    Sincerely;
    Lee K
     
    Now that I have my books back - is it time to start journalling about my Fast Track, Standard, SS Books from ECCC? They are currently at business day 17 based on the received date disclosed by CGC.
    I'll just keep my fingers crossed for some excellent grades.
    L

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  20. Lee K

    Grades

    By Lee K,

    No really - finally...
    So it finally happened - my grades came in.
    Oddly enough it took far too many days from the time they were graded for me to access my grades - 41 business days.
    That having been said - I am happy with the grades themselves, except a single case of Cream/OW pages.
    Strange Adventures 72 - 8.0 - Highest graded copy (I had my hopes up for an 8.5, but I'll take the 8)
    Strange Adventures 159 - 8.0 - and I really expected a 7.5
    Strange Adventures 186 - 9.2 - and that would deserve a happy dance, if it weren't for those pages. Still, I am not unhappy.
    and
    Capt. Storm 12 - 9.0 - and I really thought this was a 9.4 - so I guess sometimes you just don't know.
    But hey - 6 months later - and there you know.
    Now to go find some more Strange Adventures that are worthy of my attention...hopefully including 187 & 188, so I can be done with my go-go checks for that title and start focussing on the next title. Maybe finishing my Brave and the Bold go-go check sub-set.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee
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  21. Lee K

    End of business day 128

    By Lee K,

    OR - how many weeks from graded to shipped?
    My books have now been graded for 55 calendar days (56 including today), and they still haven't shipped.
    I've politely emailed and asked why my invoice from 10/11 has shipped when my invoice from 9/20 on the same tier hasn't and I was informed that this sometimes happens.
    Which should be impossible in a first in - first out business. Even if it isn't impossible, it should be really difficult to have invoices leapfrog ahead more than a day or two - certainly 3 weeks should be improbably in the extreme.
    So now I sit - assured of my VIP status - waiting for grades on books that have been gone for more than six months. They are probably uncomfortable in all the heat and humidity of the Florida weather, seeing as they are used to the cool days & nights of the Pacific Northwest.
    I think maybe I read the submission form poorly, and it says 40 business days from the day we grade your book until the day we disclose your grades to you...
    So my books should ship the day after tomorrow.
    Or not.
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  22. Lee K
    6 months...
    OK - I am really, really confused.
    My books that have been at CGC for 107 business days has shipped, and they've only been at CGC for 157 calendar days -
    But my other invoice - which has been there 22 calendar days longer, is still sitting there in quality control.
    So six months ago, when I asked you all what the over/under was on getting my books back and I estimated 1/2 a year - well, I was right because I just don't see UPS getting me my books back in 4 days or less.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K
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  23. Lee K

    What? so quickly?

    By Lee K,

    ...
    No - not grades.
    Still.
    But my fast-track, SS, silver-age submission from ECCC already moved to verified.
    Maybe I will like fast-track...then again, maybe I'd rather have the $10.
    Like Bob & Doug McKenzie said, Ten bucks is ten bucks.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K
  24. Lee K

    WHAT?

    By Lee K,

    I'm confuzzled
    So my books were 'graded' and had information loaded and have been that way for 6 weeks as of today.
    When I check today, I see that all of my ECCC books have been received.
    But my books that were formally 'graded' are now listed as "Grading/Quality Control"
    What is that supposed to mean?
    Spoon.
    Really?
    I guess we'll see.
    Happy Hunting
    Lee
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  25. Lee K

    Time

    By Lee K,

    ...
    The most valuable and unknowable of assets.
    Our time on this planet is limited - our days broken up into hours, measured in minutes, and spent every second. How we decide to use that limited resource defines our character.
    Over the weekend Ronnylama invested his time in Tnerb & me - and introduced us to a number of additional people. I am glad for his investment.
    My convention weekend was greatly improved by the time we spent together and in his sharing - I hope that I can repay that investment with appropriate interest over time. But first, I wanted to acknowledge it for what it was. And it was wonderful.
    Thank you Ronnylama & thank you Tnerb.
    Happy Hunting!
    Lee K
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