PGM: Harley Quinn #1 Variant (Grades are in!)

[erazer]

UPDATED: Grades are in.

 

 

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.6 WHITE

 

 

 

I have virtually no experience in grading. I typically read digitally and buy slabbed versions of books I want to keep.

 

I decided to get my feet wet with raws and bought five different copies of this book on eBay. I can certainly see flaws on all of the books, but I have no idea how much each flaw contributes to the overall grade and how multiple flaws affect the grade.

 

Can you help me with the following:

 

 

• What grade do you think each would receive?
  
• Are there any 9.8 candidates?
  
• Would any be 9.8 candidates after pressing?
  
• (Bonus) How did you arrive at your grade? As much detail as possible would really help me learn and I would really appreciate it. I know some secret sauce at CGC and no one knows for sure what their criteria are, but whatever you can say that will help me learn would help. For one person who is most helpful, I will award them one raw copy of this book. Going for $50+ on eBay right now.
  

 

I hope I haven't violated any rules. If I have, please let me know and I will edit or delete my post.

 

Click for full sized scans.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Copy A

 

Copy B

 

Copy C

 

Copy D

 

Copy E

[MR SigS]

COPY A) The spine seems to have some sort of defect (horizontal lines) that I would guess are production related, so they "shouldn't" factor into the grade. They could affect the desirability, though. The corners aren't the sharpest.

I'd say 9.4

 

COPY B) Has the same spine defects, but to a lesser degree. Nicer corners too.

I'd say 9.4/9.6

 

COPY C) Has the best looking spine alignment, and looks pretty clear. Nice corners, but not nice enough for 9.8

I'd say 9.6

 

COPY D) For me this is the best looking book all around. Best corners. 9.8? That's not a number I like to throw around with scans because I can't see with my own eyes just how flat the surface truly is. The small line on the back cover bottom corner hurts most.

I'd say 9.6 possibly better.

 

COPY E) A great looking copy, but the spine right at the bend appears to have some color loss, as though from light abrasions. Very common, but can hurt 9.8 odds.

I'd say 9.6 probably.

 

A press will do nothing for the defects I listed. As I stated, I can't see the surface from the angles one would use to judge how flat a book is. This can only be done in hand or with perfect photo's with just the right light and angles.

 

 

Hope this helps, and Welcome To The Boards

 

 

 

[fastballspecial]

A & B - 9.2ish due to multiple tics along spine. A couple look like printer scrapes, but I cant be sure so I stay at 9.2 with a chance I guess at 9.4. I still think too many issues for 9.4

 

C - Looks to be 9.4 I see two tics on back cover a chance at 9.6

 

D - Looks the same at 9.4 due to back cover spine tics a good chance at 9.6

 

E - Looks the same as D and will grade around 9.4 a good chance at 9.6

 

All are nice copies, but I dont see a clear book I would say is a rock solid 9.6 or better. I think C,D, and E all have chances at 9.6. The back covers hurt several of them because the front covers on a few are awesome.

 

A & B especially after looking at higher res scans I dont think will pull a 9.4. based on what I see or at least how I grade them and I tend to be conservative.

 

I start giving the book a perfect grade and just deduct based on the overall number of defects compare to slabs I see and Overstreets grading guide to get a good feel for it.

[erazer]

Thank you both for the help. That was really helpful.

 

I subbed all five, even though I know I'll lose money on them due to low grades just for the learning experience.

 

They're "received" right now and I'll post the grades when they're in so we can see how you did.

 

Since I promised a free raw copy to the most helpful and you were both equally helpful, I'll send the lowest graded one to whichever of you want it (with first opportunity to MR-SigS since he responded first) once they're back.

 

Thanks again.

[timfinz]

COPY A

Copy A Front Cover:

TLHC Blunted

Spine has numerous bindery rubs (I think these are production or distribution related and might not effect the grade)

LLHC slightly blunted

TRHC has a minute, almost imperceptible bend

Copy A Back Cover:

TLHC and BLHC show minute wear

LRHC blunted

3-4 spine stresses (probably not colour breaking)

TRHC blunted

Copy A Grade:

9.4

 

COPY B

Copy B Front Cover:

TLHC very minor blunting

Front spine exhibits same bindery rubs as Copy A however much less noticeable

LRHC very minor blunting

Copy B Back Cover:

LRHC and TRHC show blunting

Spine shows 2-3 minor stresses

Copy B Grade:

9.6

 

COPY C

Copy C Front Cover:

TLHC slightly blunted

LLHC very minute blunting

Copy C Back Cover:

LRHC and TRHC show very minor blunting

Spine shows 2 very minor stresses

Copy C Grade:

9.6

 

COPY D

Copy D Front Cover:

TLHC and BLHC show very minute wear

TRHC shows very minute wear

Copy D Back Cover:

TLHC and BLHC show very minute wear

BRHC is blunted

1 large spine stress and 3-4 small spine stresses

TRHC minor wear

Copy D Grade:

9.4

 

COPY E

Copy E Front Cover:

1 small spine stress

bindery rub near the Bar Code box

LLHC slightly blunted

LRHC slightly blunted

minor ink blotch near Harley's right foot (printing defect)

across from Harley's left elbow are two ink marks (printing defect)

TRHC is ever so slightly bent

Copy E Back Cover:

LRHC slightly blunted

2 spine stresses

TRHC slightly blunted

Copy E Grade:

9.4

 

Happy New Year!

[Psithyrus]

I agree. I'd think Book C is your best shot. . . good luck!

[erazer]

Grades are in. Either I got lucky or there were a number of production defects in this book and they were all bad copies.

 

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.6 WHITE

[timfinz]

Grades are in. Either I got lucky or there were a number of production defects in this book and they were all bad copies.

 

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.8 WHITE

Harley Quinn 1 2/14 D.C. Comics Modern 9.6 WHITE

Wowoweeeeee! Congratulations!

[erazer]

 

After looking at them now that they're back, the corners and spine ticks aren't nearly as bad as they appeared in the original scans.