Beardown

On 4/15/2024 at 1:57 PM, DST said:

Hello all fellow webheads...

Below is the current status of my Ditko CGC 5.0 run.  I've collected AF15, ASM1-23, 25-26, 28, 30-34, 36-38, ASM Annual 1-2, ST Annual 2, ST 115 all with White Pages.  I've collected 24, 27, 29, and 35 in 5.0 but with OWW pages.  I'm keeping those 4 as placeholders for now until I find WP replacements.  But the Ditko run itself is complete (minus cameos which I'm not after).  Any leads on those 4 book I need in WP is always appreciated.  If someone reading this has any of those 4, I'm currently offering my 5.0 OWW copies plus full GPA cash for WP replacements.  Anyway without further adieu...

Incredible collection and best of luck on finishing it in the grade and page quality you're after! 

On 3/28/2024 at 3:33 AM, Microchip said:

I'd say they have fallen, not falling.   It looks like the bottom position is now.

Couldn't agree more and we are on the "it's time to buy" side of the discussion and have recently added 6 new silver age books  to the collection.

On 1/3/2022 at 12:48 PM, JohnH19 said:

I was lucky to buy this well presenting low grade copy for under $100 a few years ago.

I had to dig back a ways to find a copy of this Batman #171.  Love this cover and is definitely on our list for next silver age Batman books to pick up!

On 12/14/2023 at 10:58 PM, Ameri said:

groupie

Amazing group shot and congratulations!

Amazing copy and fantastic job on the restoration removal.  

You are the future of our hobby at 16 years old and the biggest reason why I have zero doubt our hobby will be around for a very long time and is in good hands.  

I'm curious, do you collect with a family member or just get the collecting bug on your own?

On 12/18/2023 at 11:05 PM, ixng said:

The holy grail of my collection. Getting this back in March at 16 years old has to be my biggest feat.

 

Before and after restoration removal done by Phil over at Phantom Restoration.

 

 

Just got this one back from CGC!

No 9.8's but all still a modest collection started of video game comic/magazines.  Great collection and that No number Nintedo book is sooo tough to get in high grade.  Keep us posted on your progress!

On 8/23/2023 at 2:14 PM, Dark Knight said:

Yup, that was indeed a beautiful 3.5 copy with the grey colored background which I prefer better than the more common yellowish background. Looks much cleaner and the reds on Spider-Man are deeper red.  If it weren't for staining, the book would probably grade in the 7.0+ scale.  The CGC 5.5 that sold did very well, I must add!

I've honestly never noticed or heard someone mention the color difference that some AF15's have but it's very noticeable now that I've looked at several since reading this.  And yes, I agree the grey is much cleaner and presents much nicer in my opinion.

On 8/22/2023 at 10:44 PM, wiparker824 said:

I am done. I did it. Every issue of ASM from 1-925 and every annual is now in my collection.

This is the final book I needed I won off ComicConnect tonight.

Incredible collecting feat and a big congratulations to you!   How long did it take you and do you plan on going after AF #15 as well or already have one?  Not that it's required to have the ASM run just curious. WTG!

Thank you for the chart and yes it seems a lot of these books are "leveling off" for now.   Is it the new floor?  Time will tell but its feeling that way.

On 6/29/2023 at 1:14 PM, Terry JSA said:

Buy what you can afford. I took that advice and ended up with a pretty beat up AF #15. Complete and unrestored too.

Congrats on getting into the club!

Check him out if you haven't yet.  Great up and coming artist.

Just to add to the conversation here are the graders notes for the book.

I can't help but wonder if this book was "conserved" before encapsulating was so common as it is today.  It would make more since to do this to a book that is left "raw" as it would be opened and looked at and since it's not done to increase its visual appeal but to stabilize and reinforce for looking at the book.  

Again, not something I've had experience with in the past but thank you again for all the feedback. 

Thank you to everyone that took the time to respond and I agree that leaving the book "as is" will probably be the best action here.  

I just can't help thinking that removing the seals that are only in place to prevent further tearing would hurt to remove as it will be encapsulated with little chance of the tears getting worse with or without tear seals.  The "cover reinforced" is a term I'm not as familiar with but it mentions nothing about the spine on the graders notes or on the slab label so I feel the book is structurally sound but who knows I suppose 🤷‍♂️.

On 5/11/2023 at 7:18 PM, comicginger1789 said:

I agree with the above. It’s lovely as is and while I don’t generally like resto or conserved books that would be one I’d be fine owning. 

This was also my opinion when I found the book.  Not something I generally buy or go for but in this case it just seemed different or not as distracting as most and at the same price as a Purple label I'm very happy I ended up getting it.

On 5/11/2023 at 7:02 AM, comicginger1789 said:

I should think removing such conserved work would leave you with a rather nasty looking book. Pics might help some more experience souls to chime in with better insight.

On 5/11/2023 at 6:17 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

Are you asking about self-removal?

No.  I would send it to a company such as CCS for removal.  I'm just not sure if it will leave a hole where they are removed or if its something that can be removed easily by a professional.

Anyone have experience with removal of A1 conserved treatments to a book?  

Is it possible or is the process so intricate that it's basically removing and leaving a hole where the seals were as they are bonded to the paper? 

Thanks in advance for anyone that has experience with removing the "conserved" designation from a book.  

Finally able to add the no number "sneak preview" issue to our Mario collection!  Only 21 CGC copies total on the census which seems crazy low to me?