trimming question

[CheezyWhiz]

Filter's latest sales thread got me thinking. A couple books are heavily restored and trimmed.

 

I have an extensively restored GA book that has some interior pages hanging out (and just waiting to be damaged). I can't help but think that it would look much nicer (and store much safer) if they were trimmed.

 

Now, I know all about the trimming stigma. It's bad.. sure.. but I wonder if there is a certain threshold where the amount of restoration is so high, that even trimming can't hurt the book's value. Or.. is it possible that an extensively restored book's pages are so misaligned that an edge trim can even improve the value?

 

Any opinions or insights?

[nearmint]

I don't know if would affect value, but it would narrow your buying pool if you decided to sell. Regardless of condition or resto status, some folks just won't buy trimmed books.

[innocuous]

No answer, but to add on to your question, one of the books trimmed is a pedigree. Does that cancel out the trimming?

[143ksk]

I really don't understand the stigma attached to minor trimming. I certainly don't endorse it, but I don't see why a square inch of cover removed along the edge is worse than a square inch chunk missing at a corner

[szelim]

It is curious. If OTOH the page(s) were folded and the folded part eventually falls off at the crease, that would not be considered trimming, right?

 

[Primetime]

trimming is normally a kiss of death for comics (as well as bleached pages)...trimmed cover is worse than trimmed pages or CF.

[TFL-migration]

A trimmed book will always sell for less money. It is a total and complete destruction of a book. IMHO. It can never, ever be replaced. Your taking away part of the book. That is simply crazy. To think trimming a book will add value to it is simply not possible. It is seen as destruction, and rightfully so I may add.

[DarkKnightReturns]

I'm not into trimming because it is normally done to fool someone so the book can be sold at a higher grade to squeeze out a couple extra bucks.

 

I'd much rather have a book with missing pieces that was read over and over because someone really loved it.

 

It may narrow the buying pool a bit when you go to sell but I think if the book is already heavily restored I doubt most people would care at that point.

 

Can we see a pic of the book in question?

 

 

[Primetime]

I'm not into trimming because it is normally done to fool someone so the book can be sold at a higher grade to squeeze out a couple extra bucks.

 

I'd much rather have a book with missing pieces that was read over and over because someone really loved it.

 

It may narrow the buying pool a bit when you go to sell but I think if the book is already heavily restored I doubt most people would care at that point.

 

Can we see a pic of the book in question?

 

I think cheesywhiz was referring to the books in Filter's sales thread...

[ciorac]

I really don't understand the stigma attached to minor trimming. I certainly don't endorse it, but I don't see why a square inch of cover removed along the edge is worse than a square inch chunk missing at a corner

 

Cover chunks can be replaced. Even page tips all the way through a book. But a 1/4" of the book hacked off on three (or two) sides? Not so much.

 

A slight cover trim isn't nearly as bad. Yet it still gets a huge stigma in the hobby

[Count]

I don't mind restored books but I steer clear of trimmed books :shrug:

 

Trimming is pretty much the kiss of death IMO.

 

 

[adamstrange]

I really don't understand the stigma attached to minor trimming. I certainly don't endorse it, but I don't see why a square inch of cover removed along the edge is worse than a square inch chunk missing at a corner

 

Cover chunks can be replaced. Even page tips all the way through a book. But a 1/4" of the book hacked off on three (or two) sides? Not so much.

 

A slight cover trim isn't nearly as bad. Yet it still gets a huge stigma in the hobby

My take on the huge stigma is that trimming can be difficult to catch. If the penalty were small it would likely be widespread and that, imho, would be a very bad thing.

[Primetime]

I really don't understand the stigma attached to minor trimming. I certainly don't endorse it, but I don't see why a square inch of cover removed along the edge is worse than a square inch chunk missing at a corner

 

Cover chunks can be replaced. Even page tips all the way through a book. But a 1/4" of the book hacked off on three (or two) sides? Not so much.

 

A slight cover trim isn't nearly as bad. Yet it still gets a huge stigma in the hobby

 

some of these GA keys are getting so tough to find and pricey that even a little trim or other forms of PLOD is more acceptable as long as it's presentable and can be handled. Everyone has there preferences in defects and resto issues.

[G.A.tor]

I like a little trim every now and again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

keeps folks from admiring my mullet

[Primetime]

I like a little trim every now and again

keeps folks from admiring my mullet

 

I can imagine that sticking out from your helmet while you kick

 

 

[ciorac]

I like a little trim every now and again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

keeps folks from admiring my mullet

 

It's ALL ONE LENGTH!

[G.A.tor]

I like a little trim every now and again

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

keeps folks from admiring my mullet

 

It's ALL ONE LENGTH!

[CheezyWhiz]

Can we see a pic of the book in question?

 

I think cheesywhiz was referring to the books in Filter's sales thread...

 

I was referring to Filter's books in a way -- they inspired me to ask the question about EP restored books and trimming -- but I had one of my own books in mind, too.

 

Thanks for the responses thus far. There's a wide range of opinions, obviously. I agree with nearmint's comment that trimming, although possibly acceptable in some cases, reduces the number of potential buyers.. and that's obviously bad for a book's value.

 

What about the case of a married centerfold.. say the new pages didn't quite fit and jutted out 1/8" on one or two sides. A book like this could never be slabbed, right? Would trimming be OK then?

[nearmint]

Can we see a pic of the book in question?

 

I think cheesywhiz was referring to the books in Filter's sales thread...

 

I was referring to Filter's books in a way -- they inspired me to ask the question about EP restored books and trimming -- but I had one of my own books in mind, too.

 

Thanks for the responses thus far. There's a wide range of opinions, obviously. I agree with nearmint's comment that trimming, although possibly acceptable in some cases, reduces the number of potential buyers.. and that's obviously bad for a book's value.

 

What about the case of a married centerfold.. say the new pages didn't quite fit and jutted out 1/8" on one or two sides. A book like this could never be slabbed, right? Would trimming be OK then?

 

Personally, I'd keep a book like that raw. Even if they slab it, it'll be green, and I find qualified grades to be worthless. If you trim it, you get the PLOD.