BrntWS6

Good to know, thanks

I have looked at it through a magnifying glass and it does not appear to be marker. Is this normal? Never seen anything like it. Was hoping to send it to cgc.

Did not want to start a new thread for this question so I figured I would ask it here. Can I put a return address on my submissions that is different than the billing address? I am getting ready to move. I am assuming it's not a problem but want to make sure before I sign up. Thanks

I started to get back into comics in 2018 a bit after stopping in the 90s. After 2 months I could not take the high cover prices and countless variants offered. These people are out of their minds. Now I just focus on getting my key issues graded to sell when I retire.

If you search "hulk 181 clean and press" or something like that on youtube. His information looks pretty solid. I use a humidity chamber more that he does, but he is located further South. The air is less humid up here. Humidity chambers are cheap. Just need a small plastic tote, 100% poplin polyester fabric, a way to suspend it and water. I always press first to see what comes out, then humidify and press again if needed.

It sure is....my job paid $3.25/hr then....lol.

I distinctly remember this because I always kick myself for not buying it. But in 1991 there was a hulk 181 on the shelf and my comic shop for $50. It was in good shape, probably in the 9.4 range or higher. But I could not afford it at 16. So yeah, they have been expensive for awhile.

Since I look at comic stuff pressing videos show up in my you tube feed. But I dont really watch them so I cant recommend any. If your just starting out watch as many as you can. I started by watching videos from the Smithsonian on how they press old / rare documents and went from there. Then adjusted my time and press temp based on my own results. But thay will vary depending on what press you have. Three years ago there was not much info out there.

All these have been DIY pressed with the exception of spawn 1 and ms marvel 1.

I started pressing in 2018 and there was not a lot of information out there. Now there are all kinds of videos on YouTube. It's not hard just take your time and start with low value books. I would have spent a fortune on pressing with everything I need graded. So like anything else I learned how to do it. I have pressed a hulk 181 and have a TMNT 1 in my press right now. I can understand how people would be nervous given the value of books. But once you gain confidence and get a system down the anxiety is replaced with excitement.

Picture was taken before it was put into the humidity chamber. This book was taken out of the dollar bin in 1992, it was and is not in the greatest shape. And if the correct material is used no condensation will accumulate over the book. Its the same process Smithsonian's etc use to press out documents they put on display. i dont buy and sell, just in the process of getting my collection graded. To press everything i wanted to send off would have cost me a fortune. I just practiced on a bunch of junk books first and read as much as i could find. Out of all the projects i have taught myself to do pressing is by far the easiest. Sure a high end press would be great, but i have gotten plenty of 9.6 - 9.8s back from cgc that came out of that press.

I used a DIY humidity chamber which can be made cheap, about $20 worth of items from Home Depot, and pressed it again to get more of the spine creases out recently. After:

Yes that press works very well for DIY pressing. Not a great copy either way but results are pretty good. before:

All of the puckering I pressed out, left it in my cheap little press for a week to make sure it did not return. Came back a 9.0! Also sent in an ASM 16 annual that pressed out very well. Had some stain spotting around the top that spanned about 3". Very surprised but it came back a 9.8.

Seem to be slowing down. This is the 5th batch i have sent in this year and by far the longest wait. Modern tier: Verified 5/14 Graded 6/27

Came back a 3.5. Im fine with that especially considering i only paid $20 for it. Thanks for the replies

Books are too high now. I started collecting again after 25 years for few months recently. I looked at how much I was spending on books over that short time and said f this, i am out for good.

I just got two 9.8s back that I was a bit surprised about. 1 had a little bit of black marker or printer error on the cover and the other had slight spine wear and a blemish on the cover. These were both older books though (1980s) so not sure if that makes a difference.

Picked up a gambit #1 graded 9.8 for $25 shipped. They sell for about $100 usually and should pick up value when the movie comes out. Was an auction, the seller just ended the listing at a bad time. I love finding deals like that.

I stopped collecting in the mid 90s and recently started to pick up new books here and there. Didn't last long because i feel the cover prices are too expensive now. I was used to $1 - $1.75...$4 is just stupid. Wonder if eventually they will price most right out of the market. So i am concentrating on getting my books graded to sell when i retire. My first hobby is cars and for me it is much more satisfying than comics. I buy a book and put it away for years before i see it again. My car is always there to wrench on, drive, clean, take to shows etc. But it can be quite expensive as well, i have 20k into my car in just modifications alone. But that is over 16 years of owning it.

Well, i have rebuilt engines and pressed many books. I can say from experience rebuilding an engine is very difficult. Pressing a comic is far from it. Have you tired either? Wont even address the first part of your post because it is ridiculous. All of the books i posted had flaws that were press out and the results are there. I do this for myself so i don't want to be within 500' of your books or anyone else's. I bought a cheap press and did some research. The information on how to do it correctly is easy to find. If anyone has the desire to learn how to do it and some common sense they can without much trouble. I have many PMs from people here who press their own books.

All were submitted as modern.

Some of that is true. You have to be OCD when your looking a book over. But i would hardly compare something like rebuilding the top end of an engine to pressing a comic book. Pressing a comic is very easy and the learning curve is quick. I dont care what anyone says, its easy! But you have to look at the book with no blinders on. rebuilding an engine takes mechanical ability. And I dont mean school necessarily, i mean you have to be mechanically inclined.

Just got these back, I was a bit nervous being the first books I submitted. Didn't really know what to expect. All of these were DIY pressed on my $120.00 T-shirt press.

I used the fillable PDF for both, I didn't even realize you could do the online submission. Took a look and it's pretty neat, I will use that next time.