Phill the Governor

I currently have several of the books Mike sent back (incomplete) to people and have a few more coming in, in order to get them completed. Feel free to reach out if you fit into this category, or otherwise. Happy to offer my services. Whether it's me or directing to someone else if it's incredibly extensive work the book(s) needs.

Since some obvious ct removed books were posted earlier in the thread, here are some other examples for everyone to see. The DD1 was an ideal case as there was only a few dots of ct at the spine. Cap had all resto removed and was conserved (all work done by me except for the leaf-casting).

Since you don't have any actual experience with this it sounds like you may be lending an emotional response instead of seeing the nuanced landscape. Totally understandable, especially when you see a book that was desecrated. I get that. Except you're forgetting about the subjective nature of collecting. One man's trash is another mans potpourri (I like the Grinch version the most). There exist many more people than you'd think who are fine with every one of the books you've posted. You don't' like these books, that's fine you don't have to. Trimming is, by definition: a technique that involves cutting off the edges of a comic book's cover or pages to remove defects and sharpen edges. Unlike the other restoration techniques, trimming results in an improved appearance through destruction (loss of paper). What you are doing is taking the later part of the definition of trimming and applying it to this. They are not the same thing, no matter how much you want to try and create your own definition for it. Horizontal trimming is not a thing. You answered your own question: There is no longer color touch. The book was not trimmed to mask anything, but paper was removed at areas of previously covered defects which is insanely apparent. The book isn't trying to be anything other than what it is. No. You answered your own question: the areas of color touch removal are plainly visible, therefore there is no deception. No. Back to the subjective nature of collecting... Some people prefer the one they know has 0 restoration on it. You could leaf-cast or add paper, if necessary, and/or just recolor touch the area to get your purple label again. Or you can pass on the copy if it's not to your liking. CGC doesn't have to remark about it because 1. it's incredibly obvious to the naked eye and 2. remark on what? they grade the book as it sits. The book has defects of paper/color loss at affected areas and downgraded appropriately. I'm not trying to change your mind since it seems to be made up. It can be unsightly, sure, but calling ct-removal trimming is factually incorrect and will only confuse others.

I gotta agree with you on the BWS. As much as I appreciate the art, I can't imagine a scenario where I'd choose that over countless other things I'd like. Maybe we're in the minority, or maybe Conan is a character that's ebbed in his generation and not really relevant nowadays to satisfy the nostalgia like other characters do for us.

You did some side skirting, but for the sake of the conversation lets say that the answer to your question is no. But I'll ask again, what's your experience with seeing books in hand that have been removed from a slab and removing color touch and/or other restoration/conservation? I don't want to make the assumption that you don't actually have experience, except pointing to obvious already graded books that have had ct removed, but trying to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Sounds like a slippery slope of confusion if you're going to attribute the word deception to color touch removal, considering it's inherently the exact opposite. What's your experience with seeing books in hand that have been removed from a slab, and removing color touch and/or other restoration/conservation?

I think the person made a mistake in assuming they are better at IDing color touch than they actually are. Many people think the same way. It's not out of dishonesty, more like ignorance. I think the argument that ct removal is as bad as trimming is also ignorant. Trimming was done to deceive. Color touch was done to deceive. And color touch removal is done to remove something that is deceiving so the true condition of the book can be seen. That part isn't complicated, to me at least. The complicated part is when it's safe to remove and when it's better to leave it alone.

I just amended the review in the title I had originally gave. I recently had some books for sale, and one had an offer made, near asking, and sold within days of listing. Got paid fairly quickly, all things considered. Will definitely be using Shortboxed more going forward and glad I changed my mind about the app.

Yeah but that doesn't negate the responsibility falling to them, just lends an argument that it's happening more often than some people's preference would be. There's no mention of all the books with ct removed that aren't obvious or noticed because removal didn't impact the eye appeal really at all/nearly as much. So the good cases of removal aren't noticed and by default the worst examples get pushed towards the front, making it appear those instances are more common. Not saying you're wrong that some greedy dealers/flippers will do it no matter what, etc. but again this is more nuanced than it may appear.

This is a much more nuanced topic than is being discussed. There's a spectrum. Often times A/B/C 1 level color touch can be removed to get the book to an unrestored state and the book isn't "destroyed" in the process. Not so much for anything past that scale. Ultimately it's up to the discretion of the person doing the removal to say "don't have this removed because the book will not only be destroyed but will look like the color touch was removed", certainly a less than desirable result vs. keeping it "restored" with a minor amount of color touch.

The number on the slab preys on our OCD. The amount of books I've seen that are 9.4, 9.6 and 9.8 that all look the same solidifies my feelings. Not to mention books VERY often receive damage in the slab via shaken comic syndrome, loose encapsulation, etc. So at the end of the day, it's an exercise in futility. You hope the 9.8 was graded a 9.8, and STAYS a 9.8 even when still slabbed. The grading should go 9.0, 9.5 and 10.0 like normal grading should, but the system is set up to exploit and profit off the absolute high end. The real issue is shaken comic syndrome. Far more high grade books get damaged in slabs than books get swapped out.

If they don't have insurance, this may be a matter of them contacting the current person who has it in their possession and making a case. Having them explain that this has all happened within a 100 day window and the case for the package they "purchased" is still open indicating the relative short timeframe. Surely current person who has it paid pennies on the dollar for the package so they could do the moral thing and sell it back for their cost. But anyone in that position would understandably be hesitant to pass of a perceived windfall even given the full story. Could be possible your friend could take legal action against USPS, especially if this is an inside job. I've heard of cases in the past where postal workers are the in guy and get paid off to either steal or relocate packages so they never get delivered and they split a cut with the person who's going to sell it. This is such a high valued piece, it statistically seems unlikely this happened by accident. Was there ANY indication on the outside of the package of what was inside? Also, someone earlier in the thread said the current owner had other like-pieces for sale. Can that be confirmed despite the possibility of them removing those listings too to cover their tracks?

Were you refunded for the art since it was never received? That's the most important question, otherwise this falls back onto the person you bought it from.

You likely have a receipt of sale via e-mail or elsewhere, as well as the open case with USPS, etc. in order to file a police report. You know where it is, that's usually the hardest part to find out. Could be wrong, but I think that's gotta be done (and asap) before they're legally required to give it up. edit: I sent the seller a polite message indicating the piece is owned legally by someone else with a prior bill of sale and got this response: Hi, I legally purchased all my items from USPS themselves. I presume the item was insured by the seller when it was originally sold and shipped. There is usually 1 option with these types of scenarios...The buyer or seller contacts the postal service and they get in communication with someone higher up who handles lost and unclaimed cases. USPS can usually make a deal with me. I've dealt with situations like this before, and the outcome is always the same... I legally purchased my items from USPS. Meaning I legally own each of my purchases. I have the right to sell my items. How did you hear about this?

I've had it for a little while but just posted this Bermejo ink-washed interior from Luthor. Current pride of my collection. https://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1983729

It was one of the last big books I had never touched raw. Past jobs gave me the experience to check most of them off my list but these were always, always slabbed. And the irony of my previous statement, being humbled & then shameless self-promoting, isn't lost on me. Again, I'm only 33 and this is the first copy of Superman #1 that's come through my hands. Needless to say, the excitement was peak.

I got goosebumps when I turned to this page. A piece of history!

Truly humbled by books that get sent my way, and I suppose there's no going back now. A little shameless self-promotion. This unrestored copy was sent to me last week for tape removal and a clean & lite press.

Wonder Comics #13. SOLD!

No longer for sale.

One book sold, other is being pulled back to the PC. Thanks for looking!

Hey, I'm the Phil you speak of. The hobby has an overwhelming focus on conservation now, so true despite my name I do very little "restoration". I'm just beginning to offer leaf-casting, which aside from color touch is really the most technical things can get. I do some color touch, but the truth is it's just not a skill I've had a need to develop intricately because there's such a small amount of full on resto work like that requested. Over time I would like to develop that skill, though, just like other skills. Kenny Sanderson is the shining beacon of the last standing all encompassing comic restoration artist. I'd like to think I can achieve his levels of full on restoration at some point. That said I am incredibly proud of the work I've done and am continuing to develop despite my age (I only just turned 33). I'd like to think I've gotten better and more refined the longer I've been at this. I can only speak for myself but I know I've got the artist part down, but only recently got a better hold of the business/communication side of it. It can be challenging at times to manage expectations and the entire workload on our own. Not to mention packaging, receiving, invoicing, communications, etc.. I'd like to think I've gotten better over the years but the truth is we are crazy people for deciding to make this our job.

Thought this went for a pretty healthy price. While some Adlard WD pages sit unsold for a few hundred, nice quality examples like this are going for a premium. A nice one and done example.

Anyone dealing with high-end items should have in-house insurance that would cover you shipping anything to them, as long as a declared value is set beforehand and there is a signed submission form. Signature required is all that is needed. That alone should reduce the perceived risk of sending items through the mail (and the overall cost!). In my experience, and after talking to several USPS employees, registered mail is not only takes much longer but isn't actually more secure because the amount of checkpoint the package has creates a larger chance of something happening to it. Which is ironic, given it is suppose to be more secure. The bottom piece could very likely be treated (would need a spot test done first to be sure) but in all likelihood the piece would have to have great sentimental value or otherwise for it to make sense. From the above scans, Alexandra looks to do incredible work!

I do not remember starting that thread over a decade ago. Funny how times change... For most comics absorene is not worth the effort/results. Much better alternatives exist....