Overstreet Grading Guide shipping this week

[fantastic_four]

Quite a few people did vote for PRISTINE among the many advisors we polled, but ultimately it became very clear that the term "Pristine Mint" had been in circulation for so long in comics in a colloquial sense that it lacked definitive meaning.

That same argument can very convincingly be made for all the other grades, also. The definition of "Near Mint" has changed quite a bit over the last 20 years, I'd say, even in Overstreet's mind. Certainly CGC redefined the common perception of what a Near Mint comic is.

 

"Pristine Mint" got misused so much because Overstreet stopped using it for so long. All of the grades have been commonly misassigned throughout their lifetime; all you can do is define it with as much specificity as possible and hope people have the desire and discipline to figure out what you're talking about.

[ArnoldTBlumberg]

Well so there we are then. While 10.0 is now technically "Gem Mint," it's the definitions that count, and hopefully they'll carry the day as far as the detail and practicality of the information.

[Kevin76]

You do realize that the reason the book costs $24 is that it's printed in full color on quite high-quality paper to make the most of the picture reproductions? Well now you know

 

I really could careless Arnold,still expensive.The paper feels like Sol-Cal Paper about 35 lbs,it's slightly coated,not coated,coated paper is more expensive,I certainly hope the company was using Mid-Tack Flint Ink when they were printing your books,if they were using say Sun Chemical, then that's a very cheap ink.The overstreet is a better buy,even though 80% is black ink on white paper,it seems like your getting your $22 worth cause it's so huge.BTW, When is it coming out and will it delayed like last year? Kevin

[spidermanbeyond]

Does the new grading guide talk about viewing the book under 10x magnification. I know this may sound ridiculous to some members but I am sure most of us feel our CGC 9.8's are perfect. The 9.9 and 10.0 seem almost imaginery. I know that this is done with diamonds and coins which have more exact grading and reproducible grading standards than we do. I am sure they do this with cards too. I bought a CGC 9.9 and was disappointed (some of my 9.8 and even a few 9.6 looked better) and sold it. I am sure if that book was resubmitted it would not get a 9.9 again. I would also venture to say if some of the 10.0 out there were resubmitted they would not get a 10.0 again.

[fantastic_four]

The new guide doesn't mention magnification at all.

 

My own feeling is that any flaw you can't see without magnification shouldn't be factored into grade.

[ArnoldTBlumberg]

So you *DO* care then? Remember, if you "could care less," it means you could actually care less than you do. You mean to say you "couldn't" care less. BIG difference.

 

Sorry, that one always gets me. But I hear you.

[aardvark88]

Not sure if this has already been asked. Does the new Ostreet include CLEAN & press as part of their definition of resto? Or does Ostreet differ from Cgc on this critical point?

[greggy]

Yo, it is part of the restoration articles by both Susan and Matt. So...get over it!

[mr_highgrade]

Hi Arnold, Is it available in hard cover?

[ArnoldTBlumberg]

No we're only doing the softcover on this one. As someone already pointed out, it might be a bit pricey for some, and it occurs to me that a hardcover of the same book would probably be prohibitive based on that reaction. So floppy paperback it is!

[murph0]

Yeh, 25 dollars might break the bank.

 

Brian