Donald Jack

KR2428, In short, a CGC Graded Signature Series comic book will sell for more than a CGC Graded Green Label (Qualified) comic book of same title, number, and grade. The green label should have some additional value than if it were not graded and encapsulated, but probably not much as the only guarantee is the grade and the protection. I think the consensus here is that Green Labels aren't cool and really don't help selling comic books. But that's really dependent on the buyer too (which is where the drive for the value really comes from for these). I had an unwitnessed signature comic book graded because I wanted to make sure the comic book did not have opportunities to be damaged and I really wanted it preserved. It received a 9.8 Green Label. So, if anything, the book is a high grade and protected. If someone was seeking the same comic book signed by the same artist (graded and encapsulated not a big deal), he or she will know the grade of the book they are buying, just not the authenticity of the signature. So it would probably sell for a little more than one not encapsulated. How much more is again, dependent on the buyer and how bad they want that book with that CGC unwitnessed signature.

All CGC Signature Series grades require an eyes on witness by a CGC representative. Even if the artist were to tell CGC it's his/her signature, CGC will not give the Signature Series label. Normally, for a high grade comic book, you'll get a green "Qualified" label stating something like "Name written on cover in marker". This process enhances the CGC credibility of certifying graded signature comic books.

Greetings Jack66. Can you tell us more about it (name, number, condition, maybe even post a few images)? If it's really valued between $10,000-$15,000, you may need to use the CGC Walkthrough Service (see the table here: https://www.cgccomics.com/submit/services-fees/) Is this a lucky find for you, or have you had it for quite a while?

I've seen this question asked a few times, and there are different versions on how it was applied based on who answered the question (or had an issue with it). The CGC website states that it only covers grading fees and not shipping. Here is my experience on how it was applied. I signed up for a regular membership, and send in eight comic books over three orders about 3 weeks apart. Before I sent in a fourth package (this time with five comic books), I upgraded to the Premium tier which came with the $150 credit. I then sent of the fourth package for grading. When I was billed for the last shipment of three comic books (third package) and my invoice for the five I had sent in after the membership upgrade (fourth package), the totals of these two shipments were combined and $150 was deducted from this total and my credit card was billed for the difference. I didn't have to ask anyone from CGC to apply the credit, nor did I need to include anything with any of my submissions (coupon code online, note inserted in the package, etc). I should mention that I didn't see the credit applied at the time of putting together the online submission form, it all happened during the billing phase. This was my experience and I assume others may have had different experiences. I hope this helps, and if you don't see the credit applied when you send in your order (or orders if it takes a few to use it all), give CGC a call and ask for assistance on this. They are extremely helpful when you contact them. DJ

I've had them take payment and email the invoice within a few days of the status becoming "Verified" and I've also had it happen many weeks after or just before the status was updated to "Graded". I think it's just done "when they get to it in the process" versus a set time. And they may do a lot of them in bulk (like when a set number of invoices are ready, as opposed to a few every day), so some folks may see it early and others see it late. Granted, not the pin-point date you are looking for, but I thought I'd share my experience for reference. DJ

That's a pretty impressive ripple press! I wonder if they photographed it and would use it for future "before/after" publicity shots. What track did you send that in on? If you sent mid January and got it pressed and graded, and now in hand by mid Feb, that was awesomely fast. I'm still waiting for the move from "Received to Verified" on three I sent in for Modern Pressing and Grading (normal, not fast track), received by CGC/CCS on 11/6/2019. I just got the CCS notification that the pressing work is complete, but still showing "received" with CGC. So I find the speed yours got done as very impressive...

It's actually a blank cover variant (found a few Doctor Strange 001 on eBay for about $8.00 plus shipping) that can be used for artist signatures or sketches. Marvel does this a lot on certain issues. I collect a lot of Marvel Star Wars and pretty much all the 001 issues on the different series titles have the blank variant.

I wonder if any churches may have boxes of these (in any condition) not being read anymore. Probably a longshot as I'd assume storage is a premium and most of these would have probably bee given away/tossed many years ago. But you never know. Thanks for the additional information about the Logos books. I've seen (at least I seem to remember seeing) Run Baby Run, many years ago and didn't give it any real thought.

That's interesting about your find at the antique shop. Every shop that I've ever been to that has a comic book vendor seems to think that, because it's an antique shop, EVERY comic book should start at the $20.00 and higher range (exaggerating for effect here). It would be cool to find a "dollar" box that held some great stuff. And you're right...these may not have a lot of value, but they make a great conversation piece.

This was a great thread. Thanks so much for sending me over there.

Well, I'll have to pass on that...that would require effort on my part to pack them up and mail them...probably where most of the $7.00 would be going anyway...

I actually found three Archie ones with these. I assume they are not really worth much. But you can't complain when you find them and don't have to pay for them (unless I have to pay to get rid of them...then that's another story).

Thanks! I never turn down free cash!

Greetings, I found these in an old suitcase a few months ago. I've not really done any research on them other then a quick eBay search. Does anyone know if these have any real demand in the comic book collector's world? I flipped through a couple and they seem to have a bit of a "scary" religious message going on. If anyone has any input on these, I'd love to hear it. I plan to do some research in the future, and I'm assuming it's going to be real hit and miss. Thanks! DJ

And you had it pressed with CCS? Very nice...I'm still waiting to get to verified..

It seems reasonable as long as the dealer feels he or she would do slightly better than breaking even. At my local comic book store, the owner provides a better trade-in for store credit as opposed to cash. In your first example, he wouldn't take just the difference between the Fantastic Four 4.0 and the 7.0...he'd just offer store credit and then you'd determine the difference. I would assume demand for what you have would also play a big role in the trade (or the store credit being offered if you have a specific comic book in mind). At the location I go to, if he's looking to fill a request for a Signature Series Spider-Man (or whatever the trade happens to be, in this case using your example), he might be a bit more open to a straight-up trade as long as the value was reasonably similar. I've only had success with that once, and only because we were talking and he mentioned that he had someone looking for the Brooks Variant cover of Darth Vader 001 from 8/2017 (ungraded--I had 2 copies). If he wasn't looking for it, he would have just offered the store credit and let me spend up to that amount (however it has to be used THAT day).

I asked CGC about current pressing time and was told "15 weeks minimum". After the pressing, CGC will then change the status from received to verified. I sent in three to be pressed then graded back mid October and I'm still showing as "received".

Great stuff Austinhg! Thanks for the follow-up!

Greetings Everyone! I'm curious to everyone's opinion on what the use of the digital copy code in Marvel comic books does to the value, and CGC grading. A friend of mine just gave me one of his comic books as he said he didn't need it as he already used the digital copy. He barely lifted the flap in the book and it looks like it was never opened (only if I tried to lift it, did it show that it was once opened). Does this affect grading or ungraded value at all? I would assume it definitely would if he tore the tab out, but I've been curious about what others think about this. Thanks all! DJ