joe_comics

Hey all. This book isn't flawless, and it is a second printing. But, since I bought this at a bookstore 30 years ago, and because it's such a damn cool cover, I'm still interested in slabbing this. I would get this cleaned/pressed before hand, but there are some flaws that are here to stay. But, if it's too low a grade, it might not be worth the effort. I noticed the first printing of this has hit 4 digits lately. Damn. couple spine ticks corners aren't bad, but they aren't pristine staining on the logo

I think that's a fair question. Definitely some sentiment value, as I picked this copy off the new releases shelf 29 years ago. But, I'm mostly trying to hone my grading abilities here. I'm trying to find the crossroads of worth enough to slab meets good enough quality to slab (mostly for my PC. Less interested in trying to make $25 on a slabbed book). The three I posted were examples of mine that seemed to have the potential to meet those. I don't have a $5000 book in my collection from 30 years ago, but a few dozen in the $100-300 range. Naturally, the best ones seem to have a ding here or a scratch there. I appreciate the feedback.

I'm trying to get a better handle on grading, but it seems so variable. I bought a 30-year old book slabbed at 9.8. It's utterly flawless. Got a 1-year old book, also graded at 9.8, but it has spine tears at the top and bottom similar to what is pictured above, although maybe a little less so. Again, it's a 9.8. I feel like this forum would have given it a 9.2 or 9.4 (and I would have agreed). Is a 9.8 that variable, or is there just more forgiveness on spine tears similar to what Bdavis shows here?

OK. Book 3 (and last, for now) in my quest for knowledge. This, along with my other two, could use a press, but the only thing that stands out to me on this one is the tiny manufacturing nub on the very top left of the spine. Maybe a couple tiny smudge/stains on the back cover near the spine. Thanks, in advance, for the knowledge here.

Book #2 in my quest to grade books better. Or, well, to learn how to grade at all. This one feels pretty high to me, but I need the opinions of the crew here. No real obvious issues that I can spot. The spine has no ticks, but does have that ridge along the spine where the fold happened. Seems like the vast majority of books have that, and the few 9.8 slabs I own seem to have that, too.

Hey all. New-ish to graded books. I have a few long boxes, and I'm looking to see if anything I have hits high grades. Here's an example of a book that I THINK is in really good shape, but where does it grade? Notable flaws: A little smudge/stain by the date near the spine (do these come out with cleaning?) The very top/bottom of the spine has a tiny bit of fuzziness, but not much. The cover isn't exactly centered with the book. I'd most likely buy pressing with this submission. Would that help realign this? The spine is really solid with no visible ticks/creases. Colors are pretty vivid. Thanks for all the knowledge.