Was this copy to be held in his private collection, or is the buyer most likely to flip it?
Sounds like a flipper (I really don't know) if he is willing to pay the premium for a raw 8.5 or 9.0. Rick probably has a better sense.
Well, at one point Rick was going to keep this book as well.
I was indeed, but when folks offer you BIG money for a comic, well, I have been known to sell...and, by nature (Golden age mainly), I am not a high grade collector, so I am just as happy with a 5.0 as a 9.0 and a lot of $'s in the bank (thumbs u