joeypost

Very sad.

Twin Cities

Supposed to be a White Mountain Copy. Even says so on the website but not the label

Why not sell here?

Given the climate and tightness of grading it is doubtful this has a good chance at the upgrade.

This is the main reason I stopped doing on-site pressing.

Unfortunately for me most of that extra TAT was caused by the other 4 letter grading company. Now that I am no longer associated with them (professionally) in any way, TAT’s have become better. Worst professional decision I have ever made since I based it, not on knowledge but friendship.

To be honest it was a combination of all the above. I did a tremendous amount of research regarding every single aspect of the work and materials. I reached out to more experienced individuals and was basically told the same thing “don’t give up and you will figure it out”. So I took a less direct approach and was taught other “techniques” that greatly aided me in working with paper products. Despite the on-line tutorials and list of DIY steps and instructions (most of these are nothing more than a money grab or a tutorial by someone who wants to be king of the nerds knowing how desperate some are to learn), you have to spend time (and lots of it) to do it right. And I’m not talking about the chest thumpers who can press a 9.6 or 9.8 into a 9.8. I’m talking about working with books that are a mess and getting multiple grade bumps. Unfortunately most don’t go through this process and do ruin books that they have no right working on. While most may not believe what I say, I know from experience and the books I get in that there are hundreds, if not thousands of books being ruined or lowered in grade by many who profess to be experienced pressers I wouldn’t say I messed up my fair share of books. Early on I spent almost 8 months before I pressed my first book from the time I received my first press. But that’s how I am with most things. I like to have a full working knowledge of things before ever starting. I guess that’s why I have been somewhat successful in most of my endeavors. Given the volume I maintain I am well at six sigma levels, maybe above. But, mistakes do and will happen. You can work on 5 copies of the same book and each one will behave differently based on how they were stored In reference to your last point there are many dealers that know how to press, yet they send me their books because they understand that outsourcing makes sense. Most of my regulars have a detailed knowledge of the process and still continue to send me books. My thinking is I would rather pay someone who will get me the greatest chance at the highest grade, compared to doing it myself. Save $15 pressing my own book to a 9.6 and lose $150 when the guy who buys it from me sends it out to get pressed up to a 9.8. Personally I love all the DIY guys and gals out there. I buy their books whenever I can, as it is almost a guaranteed upgrade.

I can remember a few years back a board member PMing me many questions about pressing and how I do things. I politely declined to share any information. A day later he started a thread asking the forums on how to press and expressed his displeasure on how selfish I was since I would not share what I have learned over the last 13 years. Good times.

Always check the source.

Almost every mega-key was, at one time, a $10-20 book. That’s all I am adding to this discussion.

Never assume.

I would have been surprised if you weren’t approached by someone using that angle. Trust me, I do well enough selling books so I could stop pressing tomorrow and pay my bills, but I prefer not to add any additional information.

i would prefer not to, but a lot is apparent just in the scan. While it is true there is less dirt, that doesn’t always equate to a higher grade as faulty techniques can add other issues.

What's underwear?

tree-fitty.

I don't think I have changed either my board name or avatar.

Our boards has it own kaptainmyke

I know you did this in "2 minutes", but if it were a test, I would have graded it a 42 out of 100.