oldrover

Correct. That is what my nephew would call a "first world" problem.

Grading is a funny thing, especially non-CGC versus CGC. I'm just now getting back up to speed as a grader after buying comics years ago, storing them, forgetting about them, and now selling them or prepping them for sales. In the sales of raw books I've done on eBay, people are happy with my grades in their feedback. Which to me suggests that I'm either in line with other collectors grading, or grade more harshly than other collectors. But I've sent stuff to CGC that I thought would be a 4.5 and it came back 3.5, or an 8.0 and it came back 6.0, or a 2.0 and it came back a 1.0. So I personally have given up trying to have an expectation of what CGC will give as a grade. Really just hoping that in the end it all balances out.

First I must say a big hats off to CGC in the timeliness and thoroughness of their review and communications on these! This is the 4th PLOD I've sent for consideration. First was Avengers 9.4 SP from Nick Cage's collection (!). They accepted it for conservation (it had been cleaned, only), and it got the same 9.4 grade with the Conserved label. Yay! PLOD-free! The 2nd and 3rd were a TTA 27 9.0 SP and ASM 13 7.0 SA... both had too much color on the spine. Oh, well... still great books! The Hulk is a 7.5 SP also from Nick Cage's collection, with a small professional color touch. EDIT: Thanks to FoomMember for finding this photo of it online! Here's the question... what in your experience do you think CCS considers the maximum hit to take on a book before they remove restoration? They obviously don't just remove it... even if they CAN... if the book will take a monster hit. They appear to be very careful with these in their consideration; at least, that's been my experience so far.

...and here's the final irony... well, I should say, MY final irony... ...I'm gonna need some books pressed. Please don't use a T-shirt press on them! (seriously, though, e-mail incoming )

Or not OK with putting a $1000 paint job on a $500 car.

LOL... even then, you’re paying upwards of $30 with shipping. Just sayin’...

Maybe it’s the way the book is photoed, but it looks like it would benefit greatly from a press.

So then I’m in the middle, depending on vendor and volume. That’s what I thought.

I figured $20-25 for the press, $10 or so each way for shipping and insurance. So maybe 40-45. Is that inaccurate?

Another factor is the cost... let's say you have a book that with a press would be worth $50. The press will cost $50. Why do it? I see it having more impact on $10-30 books than on $10,000-30,000 books. Those pricey books need the care of a professional. Hell, if my Avengers 1 needs a press to smooth out a non-color-breaking crease on the back cover, I am NOT doing that puppy myself. LOL

That is easier said than done. A lot of places you are looking at a 3-4 month backlog for pressing. So if timing is an issue, there's that. I am NOT trying to diminish the value of a professional pressing. Just saying that there's value in the DIY system as well. Just like with a home project. There are some simpler ones you can do on your own... and some you hire a professional to do.

I tried that before posting. There is no apparent way to change it from there.

Wow... that's cool. I gotta pay more attention now to others' titles... gotta be some good inside stuff there I was looking right past. Also, memo to self... don't go off on someone or it could haunt all your subsequent posts. LOL Thanks!

Mine has "collector is an understatement". Does someone at CGC make these up? Are they computer-generated? I mean, I'm not like... ...but I am curious.

From what I can see, I’d say 2.0. And, dude, please kill the overhead light when you’re taking photos.

This statement makes both our points... that a professional can deliver excellent results, and that the improvement of a simple press is achievable on one’s own.

C'mon... CGC... gimme something that starts... ...with a 4.

That would be helpful. Also, then I can download the images in TIF format, import into CATDraft, and compare.

Yes. A lot of businesses do that. I have a hunch that they get business from people trying it on their own and realizing they’d rather pay someone else to do it.

I don’t disagree with anything you said, and in the case of a book like this, a professional would accomplish more. Just saying that this does have value, especially if one has a bunch of books that could be improved a tick or so by a ‘simple’ press.

I think 8.0 is about right, but I’ll gladly accept anything higher.

I didn’t press it. Someone else did, using the press mentioned by the OP.

By the way, TP, thanks for totally obscuring my valid question. LOL