evolpe79

I have been trying to get a clean Spawn 300 4th print 6 times now.  This is probably the cleanest one I've been able to get but the spine wear on every one has been bad.  I don't know how much spine wear counts towards a grade, but all the 9.8s I have bought have no detectible spine wear.  I assume this book would be no better than a 9.2 considering the wear.  I have zero intention on submitting this.  I am just trying to learn, by examples, how these defects affect grade.

Google photos link also included to view high res images.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AghbgTkNuBC5dM9QA

Thanks for the feedback guys.  Did anyone try to access the images through the google photos link?  I plan to have the book pressed with the hopes the stress lines become further reduced.  I'm new to all of this, do you guys think pressing would reduce those defects?

Thank you all for your feedback.  This book was advertised as NM+.  Through the provided scan I was only able to detect the major tick by the artist signature.  Thinking it could be a 9.6 based on that observation, I paid $120.  Now I am realizing that was a bit too much and I will try to get a refund.  It's a far cry from advertised. Also, I am just getting back into comics and this was one of my first attempts at getting a high grade book on eBay.  Obviously, I need to be more skeptical of raw eBay purchases when I can't see the actual book in my hands.  I also need to expand my knowledge on what high grade books look like.  Thank you all again and I am looking forward to learning more from you all.

19 minutes ago, Artboy99 said:

I am also at a 9.2

numerous spine ticks ( I stopped counting after 6 ), the top right front corner is fuzzy/ soft not crisp and sharp.

Back cover top right has a small tear.

Also looks like small staple tear as well.

I recommend looking at hi-res scans of 9.8 copies of Hulk 340. Go to Heritage Auctions and search there. Here is a link to a 9.8:

https://comics.ha.com/itm/modern-age-1980-present-/the-incredible-hulk-340-marvel-1988-cgc-nm-mt-98-white-pages/a/121611-12455.s?ic4=GalleryView-Thumbnail-071515

My opinion is when you are looking / grading a Hulk 340 if you find even one issue it is not worth the cost of submitting if you are trying for a 9.8 because it might get a 9.6..

9.8 current gpa is $375, while a 9.6 is $171. The cost of the purchase of the book, plus grading costs plus shipping means you won't make anything if you ever try to resell it unless you acquire the book for very cheap.

So, in your opinion, listing this as a NM+ book would be misleading?

5 minutes ago, Myowncollector said:

Depends on person I guess. If someone accurately described every defect to me over a telephone I could give a grade. Not all defects can be easily seen in a photo. And like this book I am not familiar with it. Are those mark's on the chain part of that art or is there some shelf wear there or tics or what. Looks part of cover to me. I just seen 7 spine defects. If there was a spine tear I totally missed it and grade would be off. Some non color breaking defects have to be caught at the right angle to see them. I seen posts in past that people pointed out or circled every defect or defect in ? so just a idea especially if it's not something easily seen. 

It certainly doesn't help that the book is entirely white around the edges.  I only counted 4 spine stresses.  I saw them on front and back by the bottom staple.  The chains are a shiny metallic material.  There could be some wear, but to me it doesn't seem like anything non-production related.  But i don't have a 9.8 copy to compare it to.

1 minute ago, Myowncollector said:

I didn't try it. Giving you a quick grade opinion not buying the book for myself. Probably helps if you tell people what you see wrong with it. Every defect so they dont have to search it over that long. So they know where to look. Example book is perfect except a spine tic by the bottom staple front cover and a 1/16 inch crease that breaks color front bottom right corner.

 

I didn't want to bias anyone by guiding their eye.  But I'll take the advice. 

2 minutes ago, Myowncollector said:

Had everything to do with me selling. Hulk 180 181 340 love them all. Price went up with rumor. Think it even went more up when it was confirmed. Prices have come down now I believe but not sure how much. Haven't came across any of those books since. If I did I would sell. Dont see another bump but who knows, those books just keep rising. I usually sell on the rumor because lots of times it doesn't happen. I collect everything but mainly golden age and silver. I like wolverine but maybe one day collecting will not be as popular and the cost goes down. Will keep one then. If not I can always just buy one at market value. You can always sell something you used to like for something you like now.

BTW, thanks for your grades on my two books.  Not a good start to trying to get 9.8 books.  I'm also starting to learn what deducts points from a grade and I thought the stress lines in the Spawn wouldn't affect the grade too harshly since they don't break color.  But then again, the book is white...  There is no color.

Do you think a pressing will help get rid of the stress lines?

1 minute ago, Myowncollector said:

7 spine stress lines? A weak 9.4 maybe. Would be a 9.2 for me. 

Did the google photos link work for you?

8 minutes ago, Myowncollector said:

I sold all my wolverine books when disney got the rights or I would give you a fair price on one. If I come upon more I will keep you in mind but with virus it might be awhile and I am sure I will find them in future doesn't mean they will be a 9.8 so good luck on ebay. Be a good book to find that 9.7 in the 9.6 slab. 

Did the Disney acquisition have anything to do with you selling?  I would think having him in the MCU would boost the book value.  Unless the idea is buy the rumor and sell the news.  I suppose the Wolverine books could have gained value as rumors about the deal were ongoing, but once the deal is done, the hype goes away and so does the demand.

Please grade my Spawn "Thanks"

I am also going to try to attach a link to high resolution scans in google photos.  Directions aren't in the guidelines post, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to experiment.

Link to album with scans:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GC4cAJXMZ4QRg7xm7

5 minutes ago, Myowncollector said:

Todd's best work imo. I only read spawn 1 through 3, all I could take story wise but art is great. You can collect for yourself or for profit or a little of both. If for yourself with no plans to resell you might want to consider 9.6s slabs. Most 9.8 slabs I have had, or seen have 2 or 3 or even 4 little spin tics, nothing severe. Some you have to search out they dont say here I am look at me. 9.6 are usually a little worse but one out of every five or seven or so look as good as or better than a weak 9.8. There are 9.8s and then there are 9.7s. The 9.7s can gi either way so rather buy the one labeled with the 9.6 on it and save money. You want the 9.7 not the 9.5

These are more for a personal collection than for profit.  However, if a book does sky rocket, I certain would consider selling it to get other books I really want.

I agree, I'm re-reading the Spawns now and the story is so weak, but the art is great.  I want slabs on the wall and his stuff will look great.

Thanks again for your honest feedback and the advise.  I may put the Hulk 340 back on ebay and look to find a better copy.  This time I'll ask for scans and be better prepared.

1 minute ago, Myowncollector said:

Well some advice for a beginner is always remind yourself you are one. I have collected a long time and still make mistakes all the time. Just keep your mistakes at things like I sold the book to early, could of tripled my money instead of doubling it. Or should of bought this book years ago. Not I spent 20 grand on this book and I now discover its restored. $130 dollar mistake is nothing, and really only a $30 one or so. When the trailer 6 years from now shows that reflection you will double your money haha. I will give you a grade in that thread. 

I've been going the conservative route by buying the 9.8 slabs I want.  Most have been the low print Spawns.  This was the first raw book I bought off ebay for the purposes of grading myself.  Well, I did buy a raw Spawn "Thank you" book.  To me that looks 9.8 as well.  That's the next book I'm going to ask to have graded.  When buying the raw books, I tend to make offers in line with a GPA of 9.6 to make sure I'm getting a book that I can't get screwed too hard with.

Please grade my Hulk 340.  I'd like to have an idea where this might land and if it's worth submitting.  Please let me know if these images aren't sufficient as this is my first post regarding this subject.

Google Photos link to high res scans: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ak3Mk7YSj6L684sy7

3 minutes ago, Myowncollector said:

It doesn't bother me, someone replied before me anyways, I was replying then dinner interrupted haha but some people don't care if you are new. Post in the appropriate area or off with your head! I have visited the forum before. Never had the time to converse until now. Never called the sports talk shows but have time now. 

It's just a ? to ask or a warning sign. I have sold 9.8s raw and bought them raw and they truly were a 9.8. And I sell slabs, people I bought from sell slabs. Not everyone slabs everything. But if the seller sells a lot of slabs then why did he take this price on the book when if it was a true 9.8 he could slab it and made 2 or 3 times more? Why does he only have 1 or 2 photos of this book and they are blurry photos? Why does he refuse to reply to my messages asking for additional pictures of the spine or bottom corner etc. I buy from people with lots of photos where I can grade the book myself. Will message the seller if I want a close up picture of something. And buy from the sellers who I had good experiences with. Even message them to see if they have what I am looking for. They usually have 10s if thousands of books not listed. All they can say is they don't have it or will track one done for me or just not reply.

I'm making some beginners mistakes.  The listing stated it was NM+.  I am now learning that is a 9.6, not a 9.8.  I bought it for $120, which is pretty much in line with what a slabbed 9.6 would go for, minus the grading fees.  So I don't think I made a poor purchase, but I think the book isn't as mint as I was hoping.

I also found the grading thread and made some scans of the book.  I'm going to let those guys tear the book apart.  Ha ha.

Thanks again!

4 hours ago, Myowncollector said:

Wrong forum. This belongs in the spare a grade section!!! I don't care but some do. It takes them 3 days to approve your first comment but if you say something that doesn't agree with their views or in wrong forum they are on you in a heartbeat. 

Answer to your ? Who knows. 1. Most 9.8s shouldn't be imo. If I move book in light I can usually find 2 or 3 tiny tiny tics. I think a 9.8 should be special. 2. A lot of 9.6s will look better than 9.8s. 3. Who did you buy it from? No name needed but do they know what they are doing? Aka sell tons of slabs. If it was a 9.8 they would of had it graded.

My first post here and I don't know my way around yet.  I bought it off an ebay guy.  The reason I posted is because of the last statement you made.  If this was such a gem, why not grade it yourself and then sell the slab?  ugh.

6 hours ago, Artboy99 said:

I see 3. Post a scan of the entire book in the "please grade my" thread. This is likely at best a 9.4

Thanks for the advise.  I'm new here and new to the comic grading thing.  When you say scan the entire book, what do you mean?  Take a picture with my camera or throw it on my scanner/printer I have at home?

I got a Hulk 340 off eBay that I was hoping would grade 9.8.  When I receive the book, there is a tiny tick that appear to be color breaking.  I have been researching and most people say 1 color breaking tick and you're looking at a max 9.6.  Here is a photo for reference:

I tried to measure it.  To my naked eye is appears to be 3/32 of an inch long.  It's tiny.  Undetectable from far, but definitely visible up close.  The rest of the book is perfect.  Then I receive a 9.8 Web of Spiderman 31 in the mail from ebay that has these flaws and now I'm thinking it has a chance at 9.8.

Thoughts would be greatly appreciated.