Maroonandwhite

Awesome, thanks folks. I have the other three in the series in mostly the same shape that I'll probably submit all together for the signature series. May not be worth the money but will be a cool display piece.

Pardon the pics. I’m working on getting a scanner. 

There is a slight curl on all four books of this series that I’m confident a press will get out. Just having them in a new bag and board has caused them to lay mostly flat. I believe they were just stored incorrectly.

Ill be getting this set signed by Chris Claremont then graded in October. 

On 8/4/2018 at 7:40 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

some of that doesn't appear in the "before pics" hmmm is it possible that maybe some of it happened in transit?

I do want to update that info now see the fingerprint they are talking about. I thought it was part of the image but it’s right below the little line coming off of the moon under the “E”. It’s hard to see unless you let the light glare on it. Seems like they may have gotten this one right.....

I’m going to post up my limited series up to see what you folks think about them. 

2 minutes ago, CKinTO said:

Unless you really want this particular book slabbed for the sentimental reasons you mention, you could buy a slabbed 9.6 of this for $70 pretty easily (current 90-day GPA). And get that book, crack it and get it signed by Claremont. It’s not a particularly expensive book in high grade, so if it were me, think it’s worth it just buying already graded.

I’ll probably buy most everything graded from here on out but I’d rather get these particular copies signed. I honestly want another shot at the grade too. Just for laughs to see which way it goes. I’m not stressing over it too much since I’ll be happy with all five books signed and slabbed regardless of grade. Will be awesome display pieces. 

56 minutes ago, ADAMANTIUM said:

some of that doesn't appear in the "before pics" hmmm is it possible that maybe some of it happened in transit?

Either that or in pressing maybe. Kind of regretting I had it pressed. Either way I think I’m gonna crack it and get it signed along with my limited series 1-4 and send them in if for nothing else than being encased.

Here are a few pics of the back, spine, and the small crease on the corner. I’m considering cracking it open, getting Chris Claremont to sign it and resubmit. May be a waste of money but I’d rather have it preserved and I think I have a chance of a higher grade. What do y’all think?

1 hour ago, Not A Clone said:

And still had prints on it? Thought the clean/press would take care of that. 

Yes I thought the same thing. 

2 hours ago, Not A Clone said:

Could be right, but I'm hoping it's more like what Cates has done with Venom. He's writing an absolutely outstanding story and has managed to clean up 30+ years of messy, inconsistent symbiote writing in just 4 issues. Al Ewing is writing an outstanding Hulk story with a Horror movie vibe. I had no interest in this, but picked up the first issue because the cover was outstanding. Glad I did because the book rocks. Spencer is killing it after just 2 issues of ASM. This new wave keeps me hopeful that FF won't suck. 50+ variants don't interest me at all though. Unless there's an Artgerm variant or something like that, I would be shocked if many stores ordered tons of this book. I'm betting my LCS didn't order many. I'll have to ask. "Return of the Four" sounds cool, I'd read that . I've heard they won't actually get reunited with Ben & Johnny until #3. Wondering if Reed will still have Doom's "God Powers" when he gets back.

FYI Artgerm is doing a variant cover for each member of FF. I have them preordered. His variants are about the only I will collect unless a cool one just happens to pop up at my local shop. He gives them to me for cover price.

I'll also add this was graded WITH a pressing.

Well this one ended up being an 8.5. I'm honestly quite discouraged but the fact that it was my first and has some sentimental value it doesn't bother me as much haha. It's still an awesome display piece. They noted fingerprints on the front cover (that I can't see but I don't have the "eye" yet), spine stress and a color breaking line on the back left corner. I'll upload some pics of it in the case once I get back home.

I am contemplating cracking it open to get Chris Claremont to sign it along with my limited series.

Lot's of great ideas. I made a simple checklist in Apple Numbers after posting this that I am going to try out. It syncs up through iCloud so I can check them off on the phone when I get them or wait until I get home with the pile and do it then.

I need to get a handle on grading so I can make a more elaborate spreadsheet to catalog them but I'm really trying to keep from making it into "work". I am starting off with something easy (Wolverine Volume 2 run) that I am going to try to purchase and read in order. I've already bought most of the keys as well as the limited series to get that out of the way.

I am working on a run that's about 190+ issues. What have you found is the best way to keep up with what you have acquired and what you need? Preferably something accessed on my phone . I'm thinking a simple spreadsheet would suffice but am wondering if there are any better options out there. Thanks!

4 minutes ago, ADAMANTIUM said:

But you'll have your grade etched in .... well.... plastic haha. No Worries, I think that it is a great looking copy, you might have bough a high graded copy easy enough though. But it is fun to buy, sub, and wait, or at least can give you anxiety 

True. If I get 9.4 or higher I will be ahead money wise but that’s not really why I did it. It was my first comic purchase as a collector so it will be a keeper. I’ll post up the results once it comes back. 

I really wish I'd have taken some pictures when I had it out of the bag. I suspect that most of these "marks" are actually on the bag. Unfortunately when I get it back that won't be an option.

I did know that. I'll get that fixed. I have the limited coming that I was also going to post up but haven't done it yet. Don't want to flood the forum right off the bat. Thanks for pointing it out.

Just purchased this one off of eBay and have sent it off to get graded. Sorry for not having a back image but I didn't know this forum existed before sending it off. I was excited haha. The first image shows some type of red mark on the top middle of the page but this isn't actually there. It's some type of camera object.

Just curious as to what you think it may come back as without pressing and with. I am getting it pressed by CSS. All my inexperienced eyes could see were a few spine ticks that didn't break color. The back was clean and white.

Thanks!

Hello all. I'm new to collecting but did read mostly X-Men back in the early 90's as a kid. I'm a Wolverine fan so am working on completing a 1988 series run. I have a nice #1 sent off for grading now and just picked up the limited series that should be here soon. Chris Claremont will be at my local show in October so I look forward to getting them signed.

I haven't been at this long ( a month or two) so my collection is limited but am mainly getting into the new Marvel reboots as a jumping on point and am also enjoying Kirkman's new title Oblivion Song. I look forward to gaining some knowledge from this board!