Tedsaid Posted July 4, 2019 Share Posted July 4, 2019 Hi, all. I recently got back a silver age Amazing Spider-Man, and I was shocked it came back a 9.4. The key defect, they noted, is the distribution ink on the back, mostly at the top. I'll be honest, this barely registered for me before I bought it. If it's not obtrusive, I don't pay any attention to distribution ink like this. I've always considered it part of the comic. I can see these marks keeping a comic out of the 9.9 / 10.0 grades, where production flaws really matter a lot. By definition, they matter for mint and gem mint. But near mint grades? It seems crazy to me. What do you guys think? Here are pics of the back, with and without flash. This doesn't show on the front. Tony S 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lions Den Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 CGC seems to have softened their stance on distro ink in the last few years, so I think you made out pretty well here... Tony S and Tedsaid 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony S Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 That's fair amount of distributor ink overspray. And defects on the back cover count in grading. As a buyer, I'd be put off by that much overspray on a 9.6 or better book, so I believe CGC got it right at 9.4. KPR Comics, Krismusic, Dr. Love and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theCapraAegagrus Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 Color me whatever the opposite of "surprised" is. The-Collector 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krismusic Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 I think this is fair grade by CGC as I would hate to see a 9.8 with that much overspray. I definitely detracts from the overall eye appeal of the book Tony S and The Lions Den 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lions Den Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 42 minutes ago, TwoPiece said: Color me whatever the opposite of "surprised" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theCapraAegagrus Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 1 hour ago, The Lions Den said: You laughed. Don't play me, bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlowUpTheMoon Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 On 7/4/2019 at 3:16 PM, Tedsaid said: The key defect, they noted, is the distribution ink on the back What else did the notes say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazyboy Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 On 7/4/2019 at 2:16 PM, Tedsaid said: where production flaws really matter a lot. Distribution is not production. You're lucky that distribution ink is common enough that CGC doesn't hit it that hard. RockMyAmadeus and Tedsaid 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lions Den Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 2 hours ago, TwoPiece said: You laughed. Don't play me, bro. That was the closest thing I could find that was the opposite of surprised... Cozmo-One 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedsaid Posted July 6, 2019 Author Share Posted July 6, 2019 9 hours ago, TwoPiece said: Color me whatever the opposite of "surprised" is. I think the word you're looking for is "placid." No, I said PLACID, not ... oh, never mind. The Lions Den 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedsaid Posted July 6, 2019 Author Share Posted July 6, 2019 5 hours ago, BlowUpTheMoon said: What else did the notes say? "very light spine stress lines" These can barely been seen through the case. It took me forever to find even one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedsaid Posted July 6, 2019 Author Share Posted July 6, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, Lazyboy said: Distribution is not production. You're lucky that distribution ink is common enough that CGC doesn't hit it that hard. Distribution, production ... it's all part of the process of making comics. I mean, sure, the bends from string used to tie a bale together would count as a defect. But distributor's ink? That isn't obtrusive like this? It's just bizarre to me. I mean, I've seen some bad distributor's ink, all over the back of the comic. Like a spill or something. But intentional spray? Most comics from that era had at least the mark across the top. I'm so used to seeing that color it didn't even register. A flaw? Nah. Edited July 6, 2019 by Tedsaid The Lions Den 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
namisgr Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 (edited) 12 hours ago, Tedsaid said: "very light spine stress lines" These can barely been seen through the case. It took me forever to find even one. So perhaps it was a case of a borderline 9.6 and the bc distributor spray nudged it over the edge. I see it's got a spot of spray at the bottom right of the back cover as well as the significant amount along the top edge. Edited July 6, 2019 by namisgr Tedsaid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theCapraAegagrus Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 12 hours ago, Tedsaid said: I think the word you're looking for is "placid." No, I said PLACID, not ... oh, never mind. How dare you. I do not have ED. Spoiler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lions Den Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 (edited) 21 hours ago, Tedsaid said: Distribution, production ... it's all part of the process of making comics. I mean, sure, the bends from string used to tie a bale together would count as a defect. But distributor's ink? That isn't obtrusive like this? It's just bizarre to me. I mean, I've seen some bad distributor's ink, all over the back of the comic. Like a spill or something. But intentional spray? Most comics from that era had at least the mark across the top. I'm so used to seeing that color it didn't even register. A flaw? Nah. As I've said previously, there used to be some interesting arguments over books with distro ink. Thankfully, it appears CGC has softened their stance on this issue. Personally, I can see why this book received a grade of 9.4; it's a little too much for a 9.6. It's tough for me to put a "plus" on a book that has such a noticeable amount of ink. Still, it's a very nice looking example. If you have the time, I'd love to see the front cover... Edited July 6, 2019 by The Lions Den Tedsaid and Tony S 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomber-Bob Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 2 hours ago, namisgr said: So perhaps it was a case of a borderline 9.6 and the bc distributor spray nudged it over the edge. I see it's got a spot of spray at the bottom right of the back cover as well as the significant amount along the top edge. I think there is more distributor spray on this book than 'normal'. As you mentioned, there is more on the bottom right corner also. As a collector, I would notice this and it would annoy me. Sorry but I think any desire for a 9.6 would really be loose grading. 9.4 seems correct. Tedsaid and The Lions Den 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaos_in_Canada Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 9.6s & 9.4 SA w/distributor spray. I don't own any SA 9.8s with distributor spray. Naphtha, The Lions Den and Tedsaid 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedsaid Posted July 7, 2019 Author Share Posted July 7, 2019 10 hours ago, The Lions Den said: As I've said previously, there used to be some interesting arguments over books with distro ink. Thankfully, it appears CGC has softened their stance on this issue. Personally, I can see why this book received a grade of 9.4; it's a little too much for a 9.6. It's tough for me to put a "plus" on a book that has such a noticeable amount of ink. Still, it's a very nice looking example. If you have the time, I'd love to see the front cover... Well, I'm certainly glad CGC has started to accept this. It is more in line with many - if not most - collectors, I think. I take @Bomber-Bob's point that he wouldn't want a copy with this. There are probably many people who would agree, just as there are many who would ignore distribution spray. My feeling is, you don't have to have the grade reflect every possible attribute. You grade the comic as it is, not as you wish it to be. I mean, everyone can clearly see the distribution ink, you know? Just like everyone can clearly see a misaligned cover where it is printed askew or something. It doesn't take any special expertise. If such reduces the desirability, that's fine ... but you don't need the grade to reflect it, I think. Anyway, Overstreet is my source on this. They feel that distribution ink is not a flaw that should be graded. In fact, the example they use is one I would have a harder time with, since the overspray is on the front. But I get it. Grading expertise is mainly for having an expert list the things we can't work out for ourselves. Overspray doesn't need to be one of them ... it is what it is. We can all see it. Below I've put the relevant passage from Overstreet, and a couple front images of the book, two with flash and one without. Let me know if you want better close ups of the spine or something. And yes, @namisgr was correct: the graders' notes list both places. namisgr and Larryw7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lions Den Posted July 7, 2019 Share Posted July 7, 2019 Yep, that's a beauty. Thanks for taking such nice, clear photos. It would be a very nice addition to any Spidey collection... Tedsaid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...