How Many Slabbed Books Wouldn't Grade the Same Again?

[mrwoogieman]

A year or so ago, CGC changed how it treats books with tape. If they couldn't tell whether the cover or centerfold was detached or not, they assumed it wasn't and graded accordingly. Then, apparently in the face of people putting tape on cover-detached comics and getting higher than warranted grades, they changed it to presuming the cover was detached and grading accordingly.

 

So, how many "upgraded by adding tape" books are out there in the market? Is anyone aware of anyone who was using this as a value extraction strategy? Anyone want to offer some anecdotal evidence? Anyone assembling a list of these types of comics that are known in the market?

 

 

 

[bababooey]

I didn't do it.

[mrwoogieman]

 

I would think that if it was happening regularly, it would have been for those high dollar golden age books where the price difference between 1.0-2.0 and 3.0-4.0 or higher would make it a worthwhile exercise.

 

 

[bababooey]

Here's the policy change & explanation

http://www.cgccomics.com/news/viewarticle.aspx?IDArticle=3327&CGC-Modifies-Stance-on-Grading-Submissions-with-Tape

 

 

CGC Modifies Stance on Grading Submissions with Tape

Posted on 4/30/2013

Books submitted for grading that are postmarked after May 3 will be subject to new

standards regarding cellophane tape.

Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), the only independent comic certification and

grading company, announced today that it is modifying the standard by which it

will assess and grade submissions with cellophane tape.

Cellophane tape (a.k.a., Scotch tape) has been used by collectors for decades as a

means to easily and inexpensively keep comics in one piece. The practice was

historically performed by children who sought to preserve the condition of their

comics to prolong readability. While this practice has never been viewed as

restoration in the eyes of the hobby, it is also not condoned or recommended by

collectors particularly due to the destructive nature of the tape.

Currently, CGC’s stance on tape allows for its presence to fix a detached cover, a

tear or to re­attach a piece of the comic. This would still allow the book to receive a

Universal Label and even a possible grade increase from what the book would have

been had tape not been present.

After consideration of the expressed views of the community and assessment of the

practice, beginning with submissions postmarked after May 3, 2013, CGC will

modify its grading standard and ignore the presence of tape if it serves a function

(such as fixing a tear or spine split) and instead grade the book as if it was not

present. Therefore, any existing defect will be graded accordingly. If the tape does

not serve a function, the tape will be treated as a defect and the book will be

downgraded. By doing this, books will still receive a Universal Label but the grade

will better reflect the actual condition of the comic book.

“As the trusted grading authority in the hobby of comic collecting we feel this new

policy better serves collectors and protects the integrity of the books,” said Paul

Litch, CGC’s primary grader and restoration detection specialist. “We’re grateful to

the collectors and dealers who have come to depend on us. Most importantly, we

value their trust and opinion and are constantly striving to serve the best interests of

the community.”

Books with tape that have already been graded by CGC will retain their grade, but

any books that are resubmitted will fall under the new criteria and be graded

accordingly. CGC will continue to note tape on the label, as it has always done,

whenever and wherever it is found on a book.

Anyone with questions can contact CGC customer service at 877­662­6642.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bomber-Bob]

I don't think there is any doubt that many books, with tape, would not grade the same. I applaud CGC for changing the policy, it was the right thing to do, but if you were holding a book with tape you probably lost out. I suspect there was an increase of existing books with tape hitting the market, essentially trying to 'unload'. Something to consider when considering purchasing a book, with tape, graded a while ago.

[darkstar]

6

[Michelangelo]

i stay away from books with tape for this very reason.

[Michelangelo]

how is tape not restoration if it's holding a cover together?

 

i view it the same way as ® with glue on cover or ® tear seals added

[shadroch]

I wonder what happens if a taped book is sent in for reholdering. Imagine buying a 6.0 book with a cracked outer holder at an auction and sending it in to get a new holder only to get a regraded book back, several grades lower or with a restored label.

[Michelangelo]

that would be awful

[mrwoogieman]

So no one has any inkling as to who was using this as a business model?

 

Of course it's quite likely that the books in question weren't slabbed initially and that they were only graded after the tape was added. Bought as raw cover detached, then tape added and submitted for grading, coming back two or three grades higher, or more, while adding a destructive substance to the book to get there.

 

Maybe there are only 6 of them out there.

 

[Junkdrawer]

With all the books on earth to chase, it's easy enough to pass on the ones with tape.

[Sqeggs]

So no one has any inkling as to who was using this as a business model?

 

Of course it's quite likely that the books in question weren't slabbed initially and that they were only graded after the tape was added. Bought as raw cover detached, then tape added and submitted for grading, coming back two or three grades higher, or more, while adding a destructive substance to the book to get there.

 

Maybe there are only 6 of them out there.

 

I have more than an inkling.