davet75

Also, this topic is more appropriate for the following forum (and you'll get more replies): https://www.cgccomics.com/boards/forum/42-hey-buddy-can-you-spare-a-grade/

The (1) centerfold detachment and (2) rusty staples with rust migration onto the page are typical characteristics of the GD grade 1.8 - 2.5. The front and back cover present beautifully for the grade, but those 2 major defects keep this book solidly in GD territory. Grade: 2.5 GD+

I can't see the entire bottom right corner as the image is cut off, and the lighting in insufficient to really check for cover wear and dents, but here are the only defects I can identify based on the available images and lighting: right bottom corner has overhand folding at Bill's foot, back cover has a tiny ding in the left lower leading edge. Grade: 9.2. A press would likely get you to a 9.4 - 9.6 if those defects are folds and not tiny tears

but related. Would be interested in everyone's analysis of Ned's FF5 book with a larger chunk missing. Here's the link:

Great work Gnasher! This indeed demonstrates that CGC has used a "general overall appearance and structure grade, minus any major defects = final grade" formula in overriding strict and technical Overstreet grading criteria. While all this suggests that the FF2 COULD grade higher than a 4.5, I agree with JJJ that the pieces out of the first few pages in addition to the cover would prevent it reaching above a 4.5. If it were the cover only, then I think there would be a chance to reach 5.0 as seen in the FF12 CGC 5.0 example that Gnasher found. Nice discussion Boardies! I feel like my grading skill improves with every book I analyze, every discussion I read, and every debate I engage in on this board.

I see 2 spine dents (one by phoenix's elbow and another by colossus's hand), a slightly rounded bottom left corner, very minimal spine roll. Grade: 9.2 - as is. 9.4 - 9.6 with a press

no clue how to grade cards. you're probably not going to get much useful feedback here. sorry

I believe any Fine grade cannot have a piece missing, especially a significant cover piece (that piece looks to be at least 1/4 inch), which technically keeps this beautiful book out of even VG/F 5.0. Grade: 4.5 VG+ note: since CGC seems to use a "general overall appearance and structure grade, minus any major defects = final grade" formula, it's certainly possible this may grade higher. However, i can't think if I've seen any cgc graded 5.0 or above with a significant piece missing from the cover (a tiny corner 1/16 - 1/8 inch triangle piece definitely). Would be interested to know if anyone on the board can post a scan of such a graded book.

Anything larger than a 1/2 inch piece out of the cover keeps you solidly out of VG (3.0). That missing piece is much larger than 1/2 inch and there's also the smaller back cover piece. A shame as 75% of that book looks in the VF range. Grade: 2.0 - but that is one fine looking GD 2.0 book

X-Men #35 raw 3.5, now $25

Tales to Astonish #57 CGC 5.5, now $65

per PM

per PM

I'll give this a shot. Major defects: 1.5" (approx) color breaking crease bottom right corner, 2" (approx) slight color breaking crease on magneto's arm, 18 small color breaking spine tics, 2 small stains front cover (above angel's leg and marvel girl's hand), color rub top left corner, 2 small stains/smudges back cover, 2 tiny tears/folds back cover leading edge and a tiny tear (or pen mark, can't tell) on top edge back cover grade: VG+ (4.5)

I'll give this one a stab. Major defects include: 1" spine split (up to 1" split allowed in VG), 13 significant color breaking spine ticks (with some tearing), moderate wear at all edges of the cover, small color breaking creases on edges of cover, color rub/loss on bottom right corner, rounded corners, 1" (approx) color breaking vertical crease at top middle front cover and several on back cover. overall presents well for a lower grade book with nice eye appeal (little to no soiling/stain on whites which is more common in lower grades). grade: VG- (3.5) to VG (4.0)

Bought Marvel Super Heroes #13 CGC 8.0 from Howling Mad. It was a pleasure to do business with him, friendly and professional. He shipped the book promptly after payment and sent me tracking information. Received book very well packed, not a scratch or ding on the pristine new holder. Trustworthy, honest, no games. Thank you! Hope to do business again!

Just completed my first transaction on this board. Looking forward to many more positive ones!

Thanks for your thoughts on this book. I agree that this would never get a high grade. I negotiated the price of the book as a VG+ due to the defects, so I'm not worried about trying to squeeze out a higher grade and price for it. I actually bought the book because I like it as a gorgeous example of a key book 5.0 (my estimated grade). I think the defects likely keep it out of any strict fine grade, even FN-. That's where i wanted experienced opinions. I look at this particular book like a poorly kept Porsche 356: beautiful, iconic piece of history, but likely to have a lot of rust and worn parts, and still an item worth owning if the price is right.

Hi Boardies, I picked up a mid grade MSH 13 a while back (actually I picked up several) and wanted to get the Board's opinion on the grade. It has some interesting accumulated defects that I don't see specific criteria for grading like: rusty staples that stain and slightly bleed through front and back cover, and color transfer from likely another MSH13 onto the white title. Otherwise there is a long color breaking cover crease that's almost perfectly straight along the length of the spine , a few small color breaking creases on the front edge of the cover, and some very minimal surface wear. Other than that, the book presents beautifully, is perfectly square bound, has sharp corners, lays completely flat, with a bright and glossy cover. Despite the major defects, it's a structurally beautiful and eye pleasing book that looks significantly better than it's likely true grade. Would appreciate your opinions and comments. Thanks everyone, I've really enjoyed my time here since joining recently. Best regards, Dave

Child of the 80's and 90's in NOVA. I got my books from Hole in the Wall Books in Falls Church, until a burglar cut a hole in their floor (ironic) and robbed them blind. Then Big Planet Comics opened a branch in Vienna in the early 90's, which was a great shop and is still open. Also, EG Comics opened soon after Big Planet in Vienna in the 90's and was a single owner/collector operation. There used to be small local comic shows at the Best Western Hotel (converted to another hotel chain or condo building) on Rt 7 by Tyson's Corner and in Crystal City. I remember saving up and buying mid-grade IH181 and FF48 for about $50 each, which was a steep price for a comic for a kid back then. Good times. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

Wow, just came across this thread randomly. To be fair to the seller, I bought a restored item from him on ebay fully aware it was restored (restoration described in the body of description, but not in the title), received it well-packed, later requested a refund within the return period, and he accepted the return and refunded my money when he received the returned book. He never refused the return, and refunded in a timely manner. Reading this thread though explains the... rather odd interaction I had with him.

Hi Martin, thanks for sharing your Hulk 181 with us! In my opinion, the most significant defects are: cover tear near hulks elbow (looks about 1/4"), approximately 18 color breaking spine tics, the small triangle piece missing from the front cover bottom right corner and the interior pages (looks 1/4" or less), multiple small color breaking creases along the front edge of the cover, stains on the H and K, and the front cover upper left corner bump. A clean and press will likely remove the spine roll and several cover (non-color breaking) dents and bends, and possibly the stains on the H and K. However, the foxing (dark discoloration) on the back cover will not be removed at all by a non-restoration cleaning. Unfortunately, the small triangle piece missing from the front cover bottom right corner and the interior pages puts you no higher than a VG 4.5 according to Overstreet grading. A pressing will improve the overall appearance but not the grade due to the missing pieces. final grade: 4.5 EDIT: on further research, it looks like since the missing piece does not affect the story, it may not be as big a hit on the grade. see the discussion on missing pieces: revised final grade: 5.5 - 6.0

Updated: I missed a significant color breaking crease on Hulk's butt (I must have been pretty tired to miss that one, the most significant defect on the whole book). revising my score and updating my review below: 8.5 as is: significant color breaking crease on Hulk's butt, 2 tiny color breaking spine ticks on front cover (by wolverine's arm and wendigo's head), 3 small spine ticks on back cover, back cover upper spine corner bump, inside front cover lower left corner has a tiny bend, minimal waviness of the back cover bottom edge. 9.0 - 9.2 with a press to remove: back cover upper spine bump, inside front cover lower left corner bend, waviness, back cover ticks

On second thought, if you're going to sell it on eBay then just post those pics (prominently feature the nice looking cover) and let the buyers decide how to bid / offer. don't even bother to CGC. You'll probably get the price of a 2.0 if the auction is timed right

1.0 - 1.5 The spine split is just over half the length of the book (more than 2" split keeping it out of "good" 2.0), but not more than 2/3 of the entire length (maximum allowed for "fair" 1.0). first wrap also looks split. chunk missing from the left bottom corner cover and spine. front cover color-breaking crease upper right corner and a few noncolor-breaking creases bottom right corner, moderate amount of cover wear, mild soiling, small tears upper back cover and near beast's hand at spine split. the edges of the detached pages near the spine look very straight so possibly trimmed (why you'd trim the spine edge of the page, I have no idea), but could also just be where the wraps pulled away cleanly from the destroyed spine binding. It's got to be one of the nicer fair - fair/good copies i've seen of that book. still a lot of nice eye appeal, even with all the defects and damage. The front cover alone presents like a 4.0 I'd put it in a shiny mylar if you want to display it. If you're going to sell then CGC it. The demand is there, especially for a low grade but nice looking key like this.