scburdet

So, my presser/CGC conduit kind of turned his nose up at this book. Not b/c of it's condition, but b/c of the sheer volume of these floating. I can't really disagree that the market seems to be inflated given the large number of copies that are always available for sale. I have a direct edition of this book graded, but I am sitting on this newsstand edition. This feels like a book I should do *something* with since newsstands are desirable to some collectors. I remain pretty indifferent to owning newsstands except that it looks slightly better on the collection ledger. A plan starts with an approximate grade. I see a few smallish spine ticks, but other than that a pretty sharp copy.

I see a couple of medium-spine ticks that break color and some very light ones that might be pressable. I might go for 9.0/9.2 if that was all, but the spine corners look worn/rounded just enough that it might drop this down a grade. I'll say 8.5±0.5 with the lower end being possible, but not likely.

It happens to all of us. I've found several defects on books that I never noticed by going through the process of photographing them for PGM or in sending to CGC. Disappointing, but better than finding out after one comes back slabbed. This book still looks pretty nice, much better than lots of copies you'd find in online marketplaces

Going with 4.5±0.5 based on the small pieces out of the corner, the spine stress lines and what looks like indentions from a sketch of Charlie Brown head in the the blue. Seems like there might be a small tear toward the bottom left of the back cover? You'd need some GA forgiveness to go into the 5s. Still a very sharp looking book. The colors look bright and the white areas are only slightly discolored.

I count at least 1/2 dozen spine stress lines that break color to varying degrees. Pressing will help with the creasing but not the color break. This probably puts you around 7.5

spine ticks & rounded corners. The lower corners on the back show some color loss, scuffing or wear. Maybe a printer's crease running parallel to the outer edge of the back cover. Pressing might get this to an 8.0

Better photo backdrop: yes. I do believe that's a tear on the bottom right of the front cover. That corner also appears to have a small crease and rounded corner. The tear alone, guestimating it's length, is automatically knocking this down to 6ish. So, I'll say 6.0±0.5, but I'd say 5.5 if given an ultimatum. Looks much better than the number overall

Leave it. If you take the added staples out, there will still be staple holes.

Yeah, the rust migration is an issue and the wrinkle needs pressing provided it doesn't damage an old book like this. Any sort of significant staining like rust migration reduces the ceiling to ~5.5

it goes in cycles. I'm sure others will comment, but it can take several days for a critical mass of people to stop by

spine ticks, tanning/foxing and slightly rounded outer corners. 7.5 as is, 8.0/8.5 with pressing.

no noticeable defects >9.2

I see these little blue dots in various spots on the cover. From what I can tell, this is a relatively common production defect. The rest of the book has the look of a 9.4-9.8. In my quick survey of graded books out there with images, I don't see these spots on 9.8s. I see a few 9.6s with a couple, fewer than on this copy. I'm going to guess 9.4 unless this is dinged further or there are other defects I don't see.

Just going off of the two 9.2s I have, I'm a little skeptical that the small spine ticks are going to pass muster at this grade because they have a little white in them. Closer to a 9.0. Now, these were graded in the first year CGC was in existence, so IDK if you can compare standards that easily.

small tear at the top, left of of front cover? I see enough cumulative defects to land at 3.5. Maybe an outside shot at 4.0 with C&P

My first instinct was 6.5/6.0 and then I saw the water staining along the back edge of the spine, that bleeds over to the front. Unfortunately, CGC is going to hammer that, so 5.0/5.5

Disclaimer: I'm apparently terrible at grading GA books, so take what I say for what it's worth I see a 4.5±0.5. I think the apparent internal page discoloration may be the bigger issue. That title page looks pretty dark around the edges. Is this consistent throughout the book? I believe at this lower grades, repairs don't count against you in the same way as they do if the rest of the book was in excellent shape. Someone here will know better, but I believe the restoration tag get pulled out for color touching, page repair and trimming. Things that are either professional or amateur attempts to make the book appear to be in a higher grade than it is. Keeping a book from falling apart is a different story. IMO, the graders' notes would mention the tape, but you'd get a universal label. I will now wait for someone to tell me why I'm wrong.

A fairly recent acquisition. I've really been digging the SA Strange Tales lately and got a fair price on this one. Obvious ding on the bottom left corner. The foxing/tanning on the back gave me some pause, but it didn't seem bad. The only unusual thing is the pattern where there's almost a frame around the outer edges instead of the usual darkest at the edges discoloration. Ideas on why that would happen?

4.5

definitely cleaner in the new pic. Could be a trick of the photo or the graphic on the other side of the page showing just a little through the white. Probably nothing to worry about >9.2

could this be a light stain?

I doubt anyone will make fun of you here unless you post a PGM of a JC Penny reprint and assert that it's Sub-Mariner 8

9.2-9.8. No noticeable flaws

9.0-9.2 for the reasons you point out. A little ripple in the back cover near the spine, or an artifact of the photo?

no readily noticeable flaws. 9.2-9.8.