marvelmaniac

By the pictures shown I do not see any defects with this book, unless there is a bindery tear longer than 1/16", IMO... 9.4 NEAR MINT (NM): Back to Top Nearly perfect with only minor imperfections that keep it from the next higher grade. Subtle bindery/printing defects are allowed. Bindery tears must be less than 1/16" on Silver Age and later books, although on Golden Age books bindery tears of up to 1/4" have been noted. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with high reflectivity and a minimum of fading. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16" bend is permitted with no color break. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Slight foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples are generally centered; may have slight discoloration. Almost no stress lines. Paper is off-white to cream, supple and fresh. Slight interior tears are allowed.

Damaged top right corner, minor spine stress with a few color breaking spine ticks, spine roll, moderate creasing at the top left, bottom right and along spine of rear cover. IMO...FN 6.0 7.0 FINE/VERY FINE (FN/VF): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with outstanding eye appeal. A small accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear beginning to show, possibly including minor creases. Corners may be blunted. Inks are generally bright with a moderate reduction in reflectivity. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. The slightest spine roll may be present, as well as a possible moderate color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Slight staple tears and a small accumulation of light stress lines may be present. Slight rust migration. Paper is cream to tan. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. 6.5 FINE+ (FN+): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Fine but with an additional virtue or small accumulation of virtues that improves the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity. Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor spine roll is allowed. There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose.

Looking at the damage at the lower left corner and edge, IMO the book will grade at a... VF/NM 9.0 to NM- 9.2 As far as "is it worth grading"? A couple of factors... 1)Is this a 1st print? (2nd/3rd/4th printings are noted on the inside cover and have less $$$ value) 2)Are you doing this to resell or for your own personal pleasure/enjoyment for sentimental reasons or you really like the book, etc. 3)FMV based on eBay sold auctions for books in the same grade... CGC NM- 9.2 1st print sold for $122.50 on 3/10, raw books in that grade range are selling for $70.00 - $80.00 Go Collect shows the average sale for CGC VF/NM 9.0 of $150.00 and NM- 9.2 of $170.00.

I will not assign a grade to any book higher than a NM 9.4 without the book in front of me, so... 9.4 NEAR MINT (NM): Back to Top Nearly perfect with only minor imperfections that keep it from the next higher grade. Subtle bindery/printing defects are allowed. Bindery tears must be less than 1/16" on Silver Age and later books, although on Golden Age books bindery tears of up to 1/4" have been noted. Cover is flat with no surface wear. Inks are bright with high reflectivity and a minimum of fading. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16" bend is permitted with no color break. Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. Slight foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples are generally centered; may have slight discoloration. Almost no stress lines. Paper is off-white to cream, supple and fresh. Slight interior tears are allowed.

Blunted corners, rounded/damaged corners at lower right front cover and upper left of rear cover, slight edge wear with a tiny piece missing from the top edge, minor color rub/color loss across cover especially noticeable towards the top, minor spine stress with a few color breaking spine ticks/stress lines and slight staple tears, long (1"?) crease/tear on rear cover from top edge. IMO...FN- 5.5 to FN 6.0 7.0 FINE/VERY FINE (FN/VF): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with outstanding eye appeal. A small accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear beginning to show, possibly including minor creases. Corners may be blunted. Inks are generally bright with a moderate reduction in reflectivity. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. The slightest spine roll may be present, as well as a possible moderate color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Slight staple tears and a small accumulation of light stress lines may be present. Slight rust migration. Paper is cream to tan. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. 6.5 FINE+ (FN+): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Fine but with an additional virtue or small accumulation of virtues that improves the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity. Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor spine roll is allowed. There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose. 5.5 FINE- (FN-): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Fine but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 5.0 VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN): Back to Top An above-average but well used comic book. An accumulation of bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor to moderate cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases and/or dimples. Inks have moderate to low reflectivity. Blunted corners are increasingly common, as is minor to moderate staining, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor to moderate spine roll is allowed. A spine split of up to 1/2" may be present. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and minor stress lines may also be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown with no signs of brittleness. Centerfold may be loose. Minor interior tears may also be present.

Slightly blunted corners, small color breaking crease at top right corner, slight edge wear with some color loss and some denting on the top edge, moderate spine stress with multiple color breaking stress lines and some vertical creasing, color breaking crease from the spine thru the face, crease at lower right corner, dent/indentation on back cover near top edge, moderate multiple large creases at top left corner of rear cover, minor foxing on rear cover. IMO...FN- 5.5 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity. Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor spine roll is allowed. There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose. 5.5 FINE- (FN-): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Fine but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 5.0 VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN): Back to Top An above-average but well used comic book. An accumulation of bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor to moderate cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases and/or dimples. Inks have moderate to low reflectivity. Blunted corners are increasingly common, as is minor to moderate staining, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor to moderate spine roll is allowed. A spine split of up to 1/2" may be present. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and minor stress lines may also be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown with no signs of brittleness. Centerfold may be loose. Minor interior tears may also be present.

Sorry, I was referring to the top right corner of the front cover.

What is going on with the top right corner?, Is it just blunted or is there a piece missing? You did not post a pic of the top right corner as you did with the other corners.

Slightly blunted corners, large tear from the upper edge thru the price box, minor to moderate spine stress with a few color breaking spine ticks and small tears, minor staple tears, color breaking scratches on Spidey's left leg and butt, top staple is rusted on the inside, slight stain on the lower portion of rear cover, small triangle missing from top left corner of rear cover. IMO...VG/FN 5.0 4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): Back to Top The average used comic book. Cover shows moderate to significant wear, and may be loose but not completely detached. Cover reflectivity is low. Can have moderate creases or dimples. Corners may be blunted. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also acceptable. Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies. Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a 1" spine split. Staples may be discolored. Minor to moderate staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. 5.0 VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN): Back to Top An above-average but well used comic book. An accumulation of bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor to moderate cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases and/or dimples. Inks have moderate to low reflectivity. Blunted corners are increasingly common, as is minor to moderate staining, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor to moderate spine roll is allowed. A spine split of up to 1/2" may be present. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and minor stress lines may also be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown with no signs of brittleness. Centerfold may be loose. Minor interior tears may also be present. 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity. Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor spine roll is allowed. There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose.

Moderate corner wear with the corner piece missing from the top left and color breaking creases at the outer corners, minor to moderate edge wear with color breaking creases, small tears, minor chipping, moderate spine wear with multiple color breaking creases, stress lines, tears/staple tears, staples off center, moderate spine roll, multiple color breaking scratches on cover, small spine split lower spine, crease/scratch thru Hulks arm on rear cover, minor to moderate staining/discoloration of the rear cover. IMO...VG- 3.5 to VG 4.0 4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): Back to Top The average used comic book. Cover shows moderate to significant wear, and may be loose but not completely detached. Cover reflectivity is low. Can have moderate creases or dimples. Corners may be blunted. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also acceptable. Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies. Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a 1" spine split. Staples may be discolored. Minor to moderate staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. 3.5 VERY GOOD- (VG-): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Very Good but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 3.0 GOOD/VERY GOOD (GD/VG): Back to Top A used comic book showing some substantial wear. Cover shows significant wear, and may be loose or even detached at one staple. Cover reflectivity is very low. Can have a book-length crease and/or dimples. Corners may be blunted or even rounded. Discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor to moderate soiling is allowed. A triangle from 1/4" to 1/2" can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" to 1/4" square is also acceptable. Tape and other amateur repair may be present. Moderate spine roll likely. May have a spine split of anywhere from 1" to 1-1/2". Staples may be rusted or replaced. Minor to moderate staple tears and moderate stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present.

IMO, too many color breaking spine ticks to grade higher...FN/VF 7.0 to VF- 7.5 VF/NM 9.0 - Only the slightest staple tears are allowed. A very minor accumulation of stress lines may be present if they are nearly imperceptible. VF 8.0 - Very slight staple tears and a few almost insignificant stress lines may be present. FN/VF 7.0 - Slight staple tears and a small accumulation of light stress lines may be present. FN 6.0 - Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present,

IMO, the color breaking scratch (in the black, next to awesome) and the indentation that goes through the entire book prevent this book from grading higher. FN+ 6.5 to FN/VF 7.0 7.0 FINE/VERY FINE (FN/VF): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with outstanding eye appeal. A small accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear beginning to show, possibly including minor creases. Corners may be blunted. Inks are generally bright with a moderate reduction in reflectivity. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. The slightest spine roll may be present, as well as a possible moderate color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Slight staple tears and a small accumulation of light stress lines may be present. Slight rust migration. Paper is cream to tan. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. 6.5 FINE+ (FN+): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Fine but with an additional virtue or small accumulation of virtues that improves the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity. Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor spine roll is allowed. There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose.

IMO, the top right corner keeps this book from grading higher. VG/FN 5.0 to FN- 5.5 6.0 FINE (FN): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with no significant creasing or other serious defects. Some accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases. Inks show a significant reduction in reflectivity. Blunted corners are more common, as is minor staining, soiling, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor spine roll is allowed. There can also be a 1/4" spine split or severe color break. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and a few slight stress lines may be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown and fairly supple with no signs of brittleness. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. Centerfold may be loose. 5.5 FINE- (FN-): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Fine but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 5.0 VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN): Back to Top An above-average but well used comic book. An accumulation of bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor to moderate cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases and/or dimples. Inks have moderate to low reflectivity. Blunted corners are increasingly common, as is minor to moderate staining, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor to moderate spine roll is allowed. A spine split of up to 1/2" may be present. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and minor stress lines may also be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown with no signs of brittleness. Centerfold may be loose. Minor interior tears may also be present.

My pic from 7 years ago is no longer there, so I will post it again, remember buying this at a local show in the early 2000's, the seller also had two ASM issues I wanted, 32 and 33, he wanted $40.00 for the ST and $25.00 each for the ASM books, I was unsure if I wanted to spend that much so said if you buy the ST you can have both ASM books for $25.00, Sold!!! The book is a FR/GD 1.5 and the value (if you care about such things, me I am a collector, not an investor) has not changed much from the $40.00 I paid 20+ years ago, very happy to have the book in my collection.

It appears the tape was used to prevent the chipping from getting worse. Tape on inside cover, minor chipping along the outer edge, slight chipping along the bottom edge, slight to minor chipping along lower edge, book does not sit flat, color breaking crease at the lower left corner, color breaking scratch on outer edge towards bottom, minor spine wear with a few color breaking spine ticks, lower staple off center, cover loose/detached at one staple?, detached completely? (see pic #8), Tanning/Discoloration along top edge of rear cover. IMO... If the cover is only loose, VG+ 4.5 to VG/FN 5.0 5.0 VERY GOOD/FINE (VG/FN): Back to Top An above-average but well used comic book. An accumulation of bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor to moderate cover wear apparent, with minor to moderate creases and/or dimples. Inks have moderate to low reflectivity. Blunted corners are increasingly common, as is minor to moderate staining, discoloration, and/or foxing. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. A minor to moderate spine roll is allowed. A spine split of up to 1/2" may be present. Staples may show minor discoloration. Minor staple tears and minor stress lines may also be present, as well as minor rust migration. Paper is tan to brown with no signs of brittleness. Centerfold may be loose. Minor interior tears may also be present. If the cover is loose/detached at one staple, VG 4.0 4.0 VERY GOOD (VG): Back to Top The average used comic book. Cover shows moderate to significant wear, and may be loose but not completely detached. Cover reflectivity is low. Can have moderate creases or dimples. Corners may be blunted. Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade. Some discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor soiling is allowed. As much as a 1/4" triangle can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" square is also acceptable. Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies. Moderate spine roll may be present and/or a 1" spine split. Staples may be discolored. Minor to moderate staple tears and stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. If the cover is completely detached, GD/VG 3.0 3.0 GOOD/VERY GOOD (GD/VG): Back to Top A used comic book showing some substantial wear. Cover shows significant wear, and may be loose or even detached at one staple. Cover reflectivity is very low. Can have a book-length crease and/or dimples. Corners may be blunted or even rounded. Discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor to moderate soiling is allowed. A triangle from 1/4" to 1/2" can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8" to 1/4" square is also acceptable. Tape and other amateur repair may be present. Moderate spine roll likely. May have a spine split of anywhere from 1" to 1-1/2". Staples may be rusted or replaced. Minor to moderate staple tears and moderate stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present.

Pertaining to Date Stamps only... NM- 9.2 to MT 9.9 - Small, inconspicuous, lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable as long as they are in an unobtrusive location. VF/NM 9.0 - Several lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable. VG/FN 5.0 to VF 8.0 - Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. VG 4.0 - Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade.

Blunted corners, edge wear with a dust/sun shadow along the outer edge, some small denting/creasing at lower right corner/edge, minor spine wear with a few small color breaking spine ticks, long color breaking scratch/crease in center of cover, minor spine roll, some discoloration of the rear cover, 1/2 of 1st page missing, it does affect the story. IMO, this book would receive a Green Qualified Label grade of FN 6.0 The book would receive a Universal Blue Label grade of PR 0.5 Incomplete

After looking at other copies online as reference, the only thing I see is a mistrimmed cover (outer and upper edges) and some color rub at the lower edge near the right corner. Although it is a very nice copy, even if they are Bindery Defects, they are not "Subtle" which is the wording used for bindery defects in NM 9.4 to NM+ 9.6, due to this, IMO the book grades at...NM- 9.2 NM/MT 9.8 - Only subtle bindery or printing defects are allowed. NM+ 9.6 - Only subtle bindery or printing defects are allowed. No bindery tears are allowed, NM 9.4 - Subtle bindery/printing defects are allowed. Bindery tears must be less than 1/16" on Silver Age and later books, VF 8.0, VF/NM 9.0, NM- 9.2 - A limited number of minor bindery/printing defects are allowed. Subtle Definition - (especially of a change or distinction) so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe. Minor Definition - lesser in importance, seriousness, or significance.

A grade deduction due to tape making a repair will depend on the grade of the book and what defect the tape is attempting to repair, there are no black and white answers to the question, the new CGC grading guide may be more specific on this as Overstreet is not. Books are graded in their entirety taking all defects into account, however, according to the grading standards just for tape...Does that mean that any book with tape automatically drops in grade to VG 4.0 or lower, No. VG 4.0 - Only minor unobtrusive tape and other amateur repair allowed on otherwise high grade copies. GD/VG 3.0 - Tape and other amateur repair may be present. FR/GD 1.5 to GD 2.0 - Tape and other forms of amateur repair are common in Silver Age and older books. CGC's stance on tape is that they will grade the book as if the tape was not present, only accounting for the defect it is attempting to repair. https://www.cgccomics.com/news/article/3327/CGC-Modifies-Stance-on-Grading-Submissions-with-Tape/ IE: You have a book that would other wise be a VF/NM 9.0, the book however has a 2" tear in the cover or a corner piece that has fallen off and is being secured with tape or a spine split being held together with tape, CGC will grade the book taking the tear, missing piece, spine split into consideration as a defect when grading as if the tape were not present and downgrade the book appropriately if it is an otherwise higher grade copy. There are other examples that I am not familiar with, such as, if someone completely taped the spine as a preventative measure to keep the spine from being damaged, there is no defect the tape is hiding, the tape itself is now the defect. I have no idea how CGC grades "Pop Hollinger" books, I am sure their is leeway given due to the historical significance and the age of the books. Comic books "Hollinger entered into the comics trade through his retail store and expanded into mail order. Originally a side business, he became so successful that he began working on ways to trade comics and began experimenting with restorative methods.[1] His restoring attempts included using tape and staples[3] and were primarily done to enhance the longevity of the reading experience rather than to boost the collector value. Hollinger referred to this process as 'rebuilding' and to the comic books as 'rebuilt comics'." Some folks Hate Tape and will never buy a book with tape, me, I have no problem with tape, my goal was to complete runs on a budget so low grade "Well Loved" books were my thing. Back in 2015 I graded, cataloged and photographed my 2000 books, at that time if I felt tape was needed I used it. (Most of those books have not seen the light of day since) I have numerous low grade books in my collection that I used tape on, these are books that have multiple tears, pieces falling off, spine splits, chipping, etc. and the tape is only doing one thing, preventing the book/cover from getting worse everytime/anytime it is touched, due to the already low grade, the tape has no affect on the grade whatsoever. Example...

IMO, according to the grading standards, this book will fall into the GD/VG 3.0 to VG 4.0. Writing on the cover is mentioned in VG 4.0 and not mentioned in any grades below that, only date stamps/arrival dates are allowed in grades VG/FN 5.0 and above. VG 4.0 - Store stamps, name stamps, arrival dates, initials, etc. have no effect on this grade.

IMO...VF- 7.5 8.0 VERY FINE (VF): Back to Top An excellent copy with outstanding eye appeal. A limited accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Cover is relatively flat with minimal surface wear beginning to show, possibly including some minute wear at corners. Inks are generally bright with moderate to high reflectivity. An unnoticeable 1/4" crease is acceptable if color is not broken. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. Spine is almost completely flat with a possible minor color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Very slight staple tears and a few almost insignificant stress lines may be present. Paper is cream to tan and supple. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. 7.5 VERY FINE- (VF-): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Very Fine but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 7.0 FINE/VERY FINE (FN/VF): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with outstanding eye appeal. A small accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear beginning to show, possibly including minor creases. Corners may be blunted. Inks are generally bright with a moderate reduction in reflectivity. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. The slightest spine roll may be present, as well as a possible moderate color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Slight staple tears and a small accumulation of light stress lines may be present. Slight rust migration. Paper is cream to tan. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present.

Doing some research, it appears you have the original direct edition #1, according to eBay sold auction prices books in the VG/FN 5.0 to FN 6.0 range are selling for about $60.00. You can remove the book from the bag, take clear pics of the outside front/back covers, inside front/back covers, the spine and centerfold and post them in the... https://boards.cgccomics.com/forum/42-hey-buddy-can-you-spare-a-grade/ Other options besides CGC grading are, you can remove it from the bag and place the book in a Mylite with an Acid Free Board along with the bag so you have it. The bag you have is made from poly and will degrade over time and produce acids that will in time degrade the book, poly should be replaced every 5 years. Mylar on the other hand is an inert material that is archival safe and used by the Smithsonian and Library of Congress, it does not degrade and is good for a lifetime, CGC slabs do not offer any more protection than a Mylite and Acid Free Board, slabs are not airtight and are not UV protected and need to be stored in the same conditions as raw (ungraded) books.(Consistent temp/humidity, away from all UV light, away from all sources of heat and moisture, away from air vents, not stored in an unfinished attic, basement, garage.) https://www.egerber.com/aboutpreservation.htm#:~:text=Advantages of Mylar® Type,to 5 years for others. You may be able to purchase a lone Mylite and Board at an LCS near you. Another option is a UV protected frame, then you can display the book and protect it at the same time and unlike a slab, the book can easily be removed any time. https://www.bcwsupplies.com/comic-book-showcase-current-uv

If the book in question is a VG 4.0 or lower, the price sticker (depending on size and location) will probably not affect the grade. If you want to know for sure, post clear pics of the outside front/rear covers, inside front/rear covers with first/last page, the spine/staples and centerfold in the... https://boards.cgccomics.com/forum/42-hey-buddy-can-you-spare-a-grade/

Worried about restoration? IMO, there is no way that book is a NM+ 9.6, just looking at the pic posted I see slightly rounded corners, a color breaking scratch along the lower edge, color loss in the price box and some small spine ticks. NM+ 9.6 - One corner may be almost imperceptibly blunted, but still almost sharp and cut square. Almost imperceptible indentations are permissible, but no creases, bends, or color break, Inks are bright with high reflectivity and a minimum of fading. Spine is tight and flat. NM 9.4 - Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16" bend is permitted with no color break. Inks are bright with high reflectivity and a minimum of fading, Spine is tight and flat. Almost no stress lines. NM- 9.2 - Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted. A 1/16-1/8" bend is permitted with no color break. Inks are bright with only the slightest dimming of reflectivity. Spine is tight and flat. Almost no stress lines. VF/NM 9.0 - An 1/8" bend is allowed if color is not broken. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted but no creases. A very minor accumulation of stress lines may be present if they are nearly imperceptible. VF 8.0 - possibly including some minute wear at corners. An unnoticeable 1/4" crease is acceptable if color is not broken. Very slight staple tears and a few almost insignificant stress lines may be present.

I do not send my books for grading, however, CGC graders are people and are subject to the same mood swings, pre-occupations as other folks. Judging by your pics and the book already being slabbed, the book, IMO, appears to be better than a VF- 7.5, however, without the book in hand...This is apparently a somewhat common issue, the book is undegraded or overgraded in the opinion of others (an argument that will go on forever weather raw or graded) and in some instances they are correct, that is why folks say "buy the book, not the grade". Can you visibly see any of the defects listed by the grader in the graders notes? 9.0 VERY FINE/NEAR MINT (VF/NM): Back to Top Nearly perfect with outstanding eye appeal. A limited number of bindery/printing defects are allowed. Cover is almost flat with almost imperceptible wear. Inks are bright with slightly diminished reflectivity. An 1/8" bend is allowed if color is not broken. Corners are cut square and sharp with ever-so-slight blunting permitted but no creases. Several lightly penciled, stamped or inked arrival dates are acceptable. Very minor foxing. Spine is tight and flat. Staples may show some discoloration. Only the slightest staple tears are allowed. A very minor accumulation of stress lines may be present if they are nearly imperceptible. Paper is off-white to cream and supple. Very minor interior tears may be present. 8.5 VERY FINE+ (VF+): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Very Fine but with an additional virtue or small accumulation of virtues that improves the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 8.0 VERY FINE (VF): Back to Top An excellent copy with outstanding eye appeal. A limited accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Cover is relatively flat with minimal surface wear beginning to show, possibly including some minute wear at corners. Inks are generally bright with moderate to high reflectivity. An unnoticeable 1/4" crease is acceptable if color is not broken. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. Spine is almost completely flat with a possible minor color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Very slight staple tears and a few almost insignificant stress lines may be present. Paper is cream to tan and supple. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present. 7.5 VERY FINE- (VF-): Back to Top Fits the criteria for Very Fine but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount. 7.0 FINE/VERY FINE (FN/VF): Back to Top An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with outstanding eye appeal. A small accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear beginning to show, possibly including minor creases. Corners may be blunted. Inks are generally bright with a moderate reduction in reflectivity. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. The slightest spine roll may be present, as well as a possible moderate color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Slight staple tears and a small accumulation of light stress lines may be present. Slight rust migration. Paper is cream to tan. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present.