lostboys

I dont agree with CGCs stance on overlooking production related defects. The 9.0 that I own has the "faded cover ink" issue that you mention and it drives me nuts. I didnt buy that book though, it came from my older brothers collection that he gifted me before he moved out and got married. The other day I bought, what I think, is a near perfect CGC 9.6. The seller was happy to answer all my questions. I paid too much but I dont mind if its what Im looking for. The cover has a bit of an overhang but not too bad, the edges and corners look sharp, its perfectly centered and the cover color looks nice. Its a 9.6 with grader notes too, which is great: "light spine stress lines" Of course, all that could change when I get it in hand and my OCD takes over.

I mean, of course, that would be awesome but thats not what im chasing. For example, I LOVE almost everything about the CGC 9.0 that I do own. It has a few spine ticks and a bend on the back of the book... at the top of the spine. I could more than live with those handling defects. The problems I have with my 9.0 are the white/off white pages and the dull cover colors. Seriously, If the cover popped with color, Id be satisfied. As is, it takes away from the joy of just looking at it.

Ive been trying to purchase a nice looking CGC 9.4 / 9.6 for 2 years now and every copy that I buy seems off. I currently own a 9.0 OW/W and its a nice looking 9.0 structurally but the cover colors dont pop so Ive been trying to upgrade. I bought a CGC 9.2 signed...but it had a stray bottom staple and it looked horrible in hand...looked better in the pics I bought a CGC 9.2 unsigned...but the insides of the book drifted up and down very easily (loose staples) I bought a CGC 9.4 - pretty book / nice vibrant colors...but the entire opening side of the book had horrific marvel chipping...looked like it was cut with a hacksaw. Im now negotiating for a CGC 9.6, hoping the higher in grade I go, the better my chances are in getting a near flawless copy, structurally speaking. Im not talking about spine stress lines or other handling defects...I just want a book free from manufacturing defects. Do they even exist or is this book simply a victim of the way things were at Marvel at the time?

AWESOME pics! Looking at some of the prices though...Jeez...wonder if these guys understand theyre likely to die without ever selling 90% of their inventory.

I love reading through this thread. Cracks me up that folks will block potential buyers over such minor incidents but will keep using CGC no matter what.

Wow, I had no idea they were considered collectibles. I just buy them so I dont have to handle and possibly damage my comics.

A bend on the corner like that = NM+ ?????

I agree.

I used to list my collections on Ebay for insane prices. I knew they wouldnt sell but I liked being able to go on Ebay and look at them. I always chuckled at the amount of "watchers" they would accumulate...none of you are gonna pay $25,000 for my Walking Dead collection.

I bought a couple CGC graded X-men signed by Claremont on the 1st page. I cracked them out though and just put the CGC label in the bag with the book. The label makes for an awesome certificate of authenticity plus you can still see and enjoy the sig.

I buy as an investment but Ill be long dead before they become a divestment by my kids so I dont worry much about overpaying.

Doesnt matter much to me. I feel that once a book is signed, it becomes art. That doesnt mean I wouldnt want the highest grade available as long as the price difference isnt insane. Mostly because I crack them out and just place the label in the bag with the book.

90s IMAGE > Marvel > DC

Id like to hear CGCs reasoning for not following their own guide to grading with the X-Men 9.9 then. Should be interesting.

I see 2 defects. A mis-wrap and a dent from the staple under the cover. The mis-wrap is a manufacturing defect. The dent is a handling defect. = 9.8

To me, NM is off the rack condition = 9.4 What you see on this cover is probably common with that book and most likely from being boxed, shipped and then unboxed/shelved. Look at all the slabbed copies that you can find and do some research.

Ill never buy a graded book with a sig that wasnt witnessed.

Well, the dude on Pawn Stars authenticates sigs for Rick but he didnt witness them being signed.

So CGC is acquiring the authenticating team? And when they all eventually leave to start their own company? CGC gonna train people to authenticate sigs? Frightening.

Here come the 9.9s ! YOU get a 9.9! And YOU get a 9.9!

Kinda looks like a slight bend in the pics though...above the "d" in "and"...could be lighting I guess. It probably didnt get pressed and maybe had the type of bend only the expert eye can catch.

Hey, when I was a kid in the 80s my comic shop in Providence, R.I. was called Excalibur. Well, Starship Excalibur to be exact but its still cool to see another shop called Excalibur...even if it is in Canada.

My oldest comics are from 1979/80 and I have all my books in current size bags/boards. They fit perfectly, slide right in - right out...and look fantastic. Even the double sized books fit in current bags.

Yeah but who really cares if an issue of Spectacular Spider Man is a 9.6, 9.8 0r 9.9?