eastcoaster

Somehow this is a CGC 9.8 but it has several bad spine ticks. What is going on?

Thanks for your reply! The case posts look OK. From the pic, how does it look cracked open? How do I check if the case was tampered with? The census says it was graded 11/19.

I recently got a CGC 9.8 and was shocked to see many color breaking spine ticks. Based on my own collection I don't see how this could possibly be a 9.8. Please take a look and see if I'm out of my mind. Thank you for your opinions.

I don't think I'd collect raw books now. I bought plenty when I was reading but now I just want preserved memories and art.

How about buying high grade for collecting and cheap raw for reading? I don't know if I'll ever read and follow stories like I used to. Maybe I need some classic graphic novels.

I only care about a fair price when purchasing. Selling them is not on my radar. Part of the reason to buy is to regain what I loved and lost - nostalgia... so selling is totally the wrong direction for me.

I bought a Batman variant cover but only because I liked the art.

You mean you expect the price to fall below the current FMV? Yeah I guess that's a speculative way to define overpriced.

Not sure how others define overpriced but to me it's above fair market value. I can't judge if the FMV is too high... it is what it is.

Yes, it's copper. Maybe I picked a bad example but anyway for even for comic with a huge print run and many variants, 60 isn't a huge amount for the main trading shop in the world.

I highly doubt it. They don't mention it.

It says in the instructions to use a window bag. You can submit slabbed too and pay a $5 per slab removal fee.

Really? If you look up a common book like Spider-Man 1 9.8, it's not like there are dozens and dozens listed on eBay. My experience buying raw books is a crapshoot. There aren't that many 9.8 raws offered and many sellers are overly optimistic with their grading.

Thank you but they are too Golden Age. I'm collecting 80s and early 90s books.

Yeah, I know there is not much difference between a 9.4 and 9.8 and the concept didn't even exist when I was reading comics. I was careful and put them away bagged and boarded but didn't need a magnifying glass to check their condition! I don't consider my comics an investment but yeah I want the best condition available that I can afford. Maybe someday I'll get Amazing Spider-Man 300 for $2000. Not the best cover but iconic. I'm surprised Hulk 340 is worth anything. Cool cover and Hulk vs. Wolverine but not really key. A Conan 1 9.8 would be cool but right now would result in a lot of explaining as it's several thousand bucks. I'm collecting the comics I loved and also like the covers as art, so sometimes I'll just want a cool cover. You can't go wrong if you collect what you love. It's collecting for someone else that leaves you empty... unless of course you're only in it for the money.

Where does one get high-grade back issues? Basically I'm looking for an online dealer who has accurate grading for raw books. My mileage with eBay varies as the grades are often not accurate. I see listing for mint condition comics with a zillion spine ticks. I guess some people's idea of "excellent condition" is unique. Newkadia - grading system of NM+ probably not going to yield a CGC 9.6 NM+ Atomicavenue - they just list from independent sellers. I had bad luck from some random dude.

Yeah his prices are crazy for raw comics.

Thank you all for your replies! Didn't realize recreations were somewhat common. My follow-up is what docs are required to prove it is by the artist? Is a letter from the original purchaser swearing it came from the artist worth anything? Does the art have to be signed? Do artists provide any certification?

Thanks!!! So it's morbid but if the artist is dead it basically comes down to supply and demand. I'll research how many copies exist.

Hi, I'm new to art collecting. Is there any value in a famous comic cover redrawn by the original artist? It is not the actual art used for publication but a very exact replica. E.g., a redraw of a famous cover. I'm basically asking what it would be valued at relative to the original. Dime a dozen or still pricey. X-Men 266 original cover art went for $130k.

A 10.0 is so rare it's not worth spending energy on.

Why buy any mint book slabbed? Well... getting a book you love in the best condition you can find is part of the hobby. Obviously I can buy busted dollar bin books.

Correct. Back when I read and collected comics, it just had to be a nice NM or M copy. Now mint copies are like unicorns and NM isn't good enough. I find it very hard to tell the difference between a 9.6 and 9.8. Thanks to CGC I don't have too! or

I've had decent luck with eBay. I scrutinize the pictures and ask questions. The best thing is to take some risks and when you find a seller with accurate grades and safe shipping, buy whatever you can!

At this point graders must be hesitant to hand out 9.9s and 10s as it is a big deal. The prices asked for 9.9s and 10s are huge so they probably need a really clearcut case and approval to hand them out. I don't want to pay 10x for a 9.9 so I'm happy with very nice 9.8s.