PGM - Fantastic Four #48

[CheeseFrog]

Hello - I am hoping to get some additional eyes on this book. There is nothing cut out, the staples are rust free, and everything is attached.

 

My guess is around 3.5 to 4.0. Pictures in the spoiler tag:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a small split (about 1 inch) on the spine side bottom corner... here's a better look:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks!

[fiendish]

4.0-4.5?

[Steviehuv66]

4.5. Solid!

[DR.X]

I'd say 4.0 but looking at that top edge laying on that backer board. The top edge looks a bit suspicious as in a bad trim job. Just my

[CheeseFrog]

Thanks guys!

 

Dr. X - I was noticing that as well. The history of the book possibly has me leaning away from it being trimmed. I guess I need a bit of history in regards to trimming- how long has this been practiced? Is this something that came about in the 70's? 80's?

[DR.X]

I've got books from the early sixties that are hacked up.

[CheeseFrog]

Ah I see... here's where I was going with that:

 

This book was purchased from a collection that had been in storage since the mid 70's. With that said, I would be the third owner of the book. My thinking was that if trimming was something that wasn't practiced until the 80's or so, then the book was probably not trimmed.

 

So, that's now void. I took some close up shots of that top edge. It looks like the original wrap of the book kept those top-most design elements close to the edge, and the slight curl over of the top edge could have made it look trimmed in my original shots.

 

I think you're more of an expert at detecting this than I am... so if you have a moment, please check out these images in the spoiler tag:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CheeseFrog]

Another point... look how much more the bottom of The Watcher's shoes are apparent in mine than this one:

 

CGC example

 

To me that says the wrap on my book shifts proportionally upwards.

[grebal]

4.5, but maybe 4.0 on a bad day.

[makeminemego]

I'd lean towards a bad factory cut there rather than a trim. If it were trimmed, somebody did a horrible job doing it.

 

Rock solid 4.0.

 

 

[DR.X]

If it were trimmed, somebody did a horrible job doing it.

 

that's my point. I have a top edge trimmed Strange Tales #81 that looks like they butchered it with a pair of scissors.

[CheeseFrog]

I don't think that's the case here, as evidenced by looking at the second batch of pictures I posted.

 

It looks like the alignment of the cover print is a bit lower. If you compare my cover to the CGC example I gave, the shallow alignment of the top is equally offset by the lower alignment of the bottom. Additionally, the top of the cover curls under just a bit (looking at the high res pictures).

 

Thanks for looking, guys. Glad to get input on the book, and to see my initial inclination wasn't too far off.

[HighStakesComics]

4.5, but maybe 4.0 on a bad day.

 

Agreed, but it could hit 5.0 on a good day.

[CheeseFrog]

Thanks everyone! I'm good on the input... much appreciated!

[oakman29]

4.0