Pressing Square Bound Books?

[Jaws1965]

I have a copy of Conan the Barbarian Annual #1 from 1973, and by my self-grading, I'd say it appears to be in the 9.4-9.6 range. I was considering pressing, but I have no idea if these types of square-bound books are even pressable without damaging the cover from the staples just inside.

 

Moreover, the bottom staple creates an ominous bump under the front cover, which looks sort of like the classic crumpled staple from when you try to staple too many sheets of paper together. I'm afraid a press might cause this "bump" to poke right up through the front cover, and I've already noticed ever-so-slight color wear (black, it figures) on the top of the bump.

 

Otherwise, this book is SO strong. The square binding is absolutely perfect in every other way, no overlap of the spine letters on either side, crisp and square.

 

I'll try to post a picture in the next day or so, but I appreciate any opinions in the meantime. Thanks in advance!

[slym2none]

I have asked this before, and some of the people that do pressing said yes, square-bounds can be pressed.

 

 

Whether it will help or harm that staple-bump, IDK.

 

 

 

 

-slym

[Jaws1965]

Thanks! I'll post a picture tonight.

[Hero Restoration]

Staple bump will not get worse when the pros do it.

[zuulioso]

How much do staple bumps affect the grade on square bound books? Does it hurt the grade or is it considered a production defect? If it broke through I would think it would hurt the grade tremendously.

[joeypost]

I have seen square bound books in 9.4 with holes where the staples poked through. Just checked a few of mine and I have 9.8's with very light "bumps" or impressions from the staples.

 

Square bound books are problematic due to the interior pages being stapled (quite sloppily might I add) and the cover being glued onto the book. A bad press job could easily turn a 9.4/9.6 into an 9.0 or lower.

[Jaws1965]

Thanks, all. I'm working on getting a picture onto this thread ASAP so you can further advise!

[Jaws1965]

OK, I think I did this right. Here are the scans:

 

Alas, I thought the centering of the spine title was better, but you know how memory goes. It's still a beautiful comic.

 

Look closely for the lower left staple bump on the front cover. This scan does NOT to justice to the height of the bump.

 

]FRONT[/url]

 

The back cover has some issues at the top edge, which is why I wanted to press. The top right back corner is not a tear, it's just a darkish line.

 

]BACK[/url]

[Jaws1965]

If you click on the picture then use photobucket's magnify feature, you can really zoom in on the detail.

[Dick Pontoon]

Looks to me like it needs a dry clean more than a press. Is that a tear on the upper left back cover or just a slight fold?

[Gatchaman]

I have a copy of Conan the Barbarian Annual #1 from 1973, and by my self-grading, I'd say it appears to be in the 9.4-9.6 range. I was considering pressing, but I have no idea if these types of square-bound books are even pressable without damaging the cover from the staples just inside.

 

Moreover, the bottom staple creates an ominous bump under the front cover, which looks sort of like the classic crumpled staple from when you try to staple too many sheets of paper together. I'm afraid a press might cause this "bump" to poke right up through the front cover, and I've already noticed ever-so-slight color wear (black, it figures) on the top of the bump.

 

Otherwise, this book is SO strong. The square binding is absolutely perfect in every other way, no overlap of the spine letters on either side, crisp and square.

 

I'll try to post a picture in the next day or so, but I appreciate any opinions in the meantime. Thanks in advance!

 

When I press these I put a piece of paper between the cover and first page to help keep the cover being pressed into the staples.