hapicamp

Below is a cut/paste i posted in PGM. I thought the comparisons of FCRE of mine and the two links were interesting in their difference, all books being untrimmed. I'm interested in this threads opinion regarding expected(?) variance is FC size. Thank you. Re-post: "Re Signature, I get both options, definitely no signature on cover of this one, space is precious. That’s my dry humor segue to the ‘building window’ observation, thank you Glassman10 for your keen eye and multi points reply, certainly peaked my interest, gave me a startle, beget some questions. I’m very interested in boards/threads insights, is it a known thing for Silver Age FC to be printer-cut at varying widths (possibly influenced by staple placement)? Is cover width a ‘range’ measurement accepted to X degree (for untrimmed books)? To begin answering I Googled ‘size silver age comics’, I saw range of 7 ¼ to 6 7/8 wide by 10 1/14 tall. I measured my above scanned AF # 15 and a Tales of Suspense #63 1965. ToS # 63 was 6 ¾ - 10 ¼ . For AF # 15 I used FCLE vertical black line as LE measure start, no spine or color beyond that line included in measurement. My FCB(ottom)RE is 1/32 short of 6 ¾” wide, FCTRE is same. Top to bottom measurement is (approx.) 1/32 less than 10 ¼, carefully using a tape measure. Next, to see examples and/or consistency of FC I went to https://www.cgccomics.com/boards/topic/315296-the-amazing-fantasy-15-club/?page=101 . Just short of half way down page, Spiderturtle January 30 posts a set of 3 books, all CGC 7.0. They all have staples on front cover (like mine) and slightly different RE. The swooped right bottom edge of upper brown background color and the bottom three right side building’s windows and ‘horizontal’ floor divider are each slightly different. A current listing on ebay was very interesting to compare to above. Ebay FCRE extends a good bit (relatively) beyond all 3 above books http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMAZING-FANTASY-15-CGC-4-0-0273279001-1st-Spider-Man-/401198711167?hash=item5d694e817f:g:WiMAAOSw8w1X78ee What I wonder from linked examples and from measurements of my two books referenced is if a book is definitely deemed a printing cut, am I seeing correctly what looks like a ‘pass’ or acceptability regarding FCRE end point, in terms of grading impact? Not addressing appeal, but from an industry understanding/accepted grading parameter. Asking insight drawing from anyone’s experience with cover width variances in books they’ve had graded ? Long post, will try and shorten up the next post, though it would be a bit of a miracle if I actually did/could Thank you for any and all insight!"

Thank you all for reply’s, each was a help. I didn’t mean to disappear, doing my tax’s and Valentines occupied this week. Re Signature, I get both options, definitely no signature on cover of this one, space is precious. That’s my dry humor segue to the ‘building window’ observation, thank you Glassman10 for your keen eye and multi points reply, certainly peaked my interest, gave me a startle, beget some questions. I’m very interested in boards/threads insights, is it a known thing for Silver Age FC to be printer-cut at varying widths (possibly influenced by staple placement)? Is cover width a ‘range’ measurement accepted to X degree (for untrimmed books)? To begin answering I Googled ‘size silver age comics’, I saw range of 7 ¼ to 6 7/8 wide by 10 1/14 tall. I measured my above scanned AF # 15 and a Tales of Suspense #63 1965. ToS # 63 was 6 ¾ - 10 ¼ . For AF # 15 I used FCLE vertical black line as LE measure start, no spine or color beyond that line included in measurement. My FCB(ottom)RE is 1/32 short of 6 ¾” wide, FCTRE is same. Top to bottom measurement is (approx.) 1/32 less than 10 ¼, carefully using a tape measure. Next, to see examples and/or consistency of FC I went to https://www.cgccomics.com/boards/topic/315296-the-amazing-fantasy-15-club/?page=101 . Just short of half way down page, Spiderturtle January 30 posts a set of 3 books, all CGC 7.0. They all have staples on front cover (like mine) and slightly different RE. The swooped right bottom edge of upper brown background color and the bottom three right side building’s windows and ‘horizontal’ floor divider are each slightly different. A current listing on ebay was very interesting to compare to above. Ebay FCRE extends a good bit (relatively) beyond all 3 above books http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMAZING-FANTASY-15-CGC-4-0-0273279001-1st-Spider-Man-/401198711167?hash=item5d694e817f:g:WiMAAOSw8w1X78ee What I wonder from linked examples and from measurements of my two books referenced is if a book is definitely deemed a printing cut, am I seeing correctly what looks like a ‘pass’ or acceptability regarding FCRE end point, in terms of grading impact? Not addressing appeal, but from an industry understanding/accepted grading parameter. Asking insight drawing from anyone’s experience with cover width variances in books they’ve had graded ? Long post, will try and shorten up the next post, though it would be a bit of a miracle if I actually did/could Thank you for any and all insight!

Thank you all for the reply. I'm going to call CGC to get the lay of the land on a few topics, one being Sarasota walkthru grading in comparison to their grading at a convention. One point within that i'm very curious about is I read (I'll try and find reference again, don't know if it was here/CGC or GPAnalysis) that the new Encapsulation/capsule in the Signature Series was designed with less print on the front side, moving much of it to the back. Loosely I remember reading that was done to accommodate signing the capsule ( i.e. upper front) . If that change has been made for that reason CGC obviously has logistics involved in accommodating new order of encapsulating SS, and are taking on extra steps. I will report/post what I learn from CGC re these if people are interested. I would also appreciate any insight from those who have had convention on-site grading, positive experience? Not my residence state but the convention in Buffalo NY mid May is the next regionally close option i see. Insight there or anywhere re on-site grading very appreciated. Good day to all.

Scans and photo now posted in PGM forum. Thanks for input.

Hello, novice here, I appreciate your feedback on my book. Question: would you advise pursuing Stan Lee's signature for value bump? I'm a purist and prefer the/an unsigned cover, but if this book were to be sold is a signature, potentially on the new style CGC SS upper/info portion of the slab for example advisable, opinions and insight appreciated. Opinions on pressing appreciated, again purist here, I know very little about other than it's not currently considered resto, but is it also in any way thought of as 'a line crossed' re untouched-up, as seems would be the case to this novice. Re the pictured book. FCRE/URFC 'staining' is sunlight exposure to edge, poor shelf storage, stacked. TopFC edge 'turning'(?) looks exaggerated in photo imo. LEBC and LLBC (2) tears are as appear (present but clean(?)). Book is complete and somewhat brittle, mostly at spine as a result of being in an hot/cold attic, either on a shelf or in a box for the last 43 years. No tape, pressing, trim, or any resto, I'm the books second owner. History/back stroy - I collected as a child actively, approx 1971-79, age 7-15. Peter Parker was my guy but I have a good number of titles. I'm currently cataloging my collection for the first time, approx 800 comics. I acquired AF # 15 in a box of comics I bought from a friend of the family/grad student who originally bought all it's contents new, from the rack. He knew I liked Spider Man. He knew AF # 15 was desirable, even in 1974-6 (can't remember exact yr I bought the box), so he asked for what I thought was a lot of money from one so young, $100 for the box. I had some saved allowances and some money from my Grand Parents, I bought the box. Again, thought it was allot at the time, but my father knew the solution. Sell something I didn't care about as much from the box, recoup investment. I sold Journey Into Mystery # 83 (prob a 5.0-6.0 grade) for $100, probably market at the time (the store I sold it to listed it for either $200 or $300 I believe). I kept and still have everything else from the box, multi Spidy, X-Men, DD, FF (including #48,49,50), each of those titles and many more with runs in the single and low double digit issue numbers. Likely the best return, if I sell, investment I'll ever have. Most so right now I'm enjoying these books for the first time in 40'ish years, Silver Age art with (surprising to me) bright cover color, nice window to a time past.

Thanks. yea ultimately I think it is also. The photo we are seeing is the first time I have viewed it as a photograph and I think it really fully represents, to the point of accurately accentuating it's 'living history'/condition. I'll post back cover and inside pages here or PGM forum, wherever appropriate. I'm cataloging with a CGC drop-off shop owner, he initially and cursorily, thru the plastic bag, not seeing back cover etc, graded it (edited).

No hi-jack intended, the above NoMan post got me to join, and begin this ride. Thanks for your understanding all. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where to begin......i guess in context is I'll post photo's of my AF#15 here and in PGM forum. But most so, hello, I'm excited to be here. Quick bit of background, I'm currently cataloging my childhood collection for the first time. I actively collected from 1971-1979, predominantly Silver, some Bronze, very little Golden Age, approx 800 books. AF #15 is the marquee book. From 1979 until now these books have only been handled/viewed once, when I removed them from shelves into box's, late 1990's. I'm really enjoying getting back into this collection. I've been re-bitten by enjoying that era's books bug again, as well as very much sharing enthusiasm with collectors and enthusiasts again. Having been out of collecting for 35 plus years and deciding what to do with this collection has me with a number of questions. I look forward to finding the various correct forums here, seeking advise, insight, perspectives and enjoying the ride this go around with this collection and AF #15 will be. I have a number of titles, but Peter Parker was my guy. Now, I'll try and get today's photo's to attach. I'll try one photo here first, then experiment with multi in PGM (and/or here, as is appropriate).