myboyluke Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 (edited) Hello all, I have the opportunity to purchase a raw Hulk 180 with the value stamp - I have yet to see the book in person but will do so this week. I have some images attached of my key concerns - there are clear pen marks where a vendor (?) has scratched out the 25cent price and written 15cent on cover page with a felt tip pen (?). There also looks to be a couple of pen swirls but they may be pencil marks. There are some stains on the cover, and a little spine roll but I don't see any major creases or major spine ticks(but will assume there may be minor ones). First page looks OW but the rest are nice a crisp W. Best guess without the pen marks is 5.0... I don't want to send this over to the Grading forum as the images I have are not very good seeing as they are not mine. I could use some help assessing the ballpark grade with the pen marks and more importantly would a press/clean help with any of the mark-up/stains? Given the price I reckon I will pull the trigger as it's a Hulk 180 with value stamp for not a ton of money, but I also want to ensure I am armed with the right information before I do. I try to follow the mantra don't buy the grade, but in this case it's a little more than I am used to spending! Help! Edited February 26, 2020 by myboyluke Added more images Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valiantman Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 The good news is that if the book would otherwise be about a 5.0 without the pen marks, it isn't hurt as much by the pen marks. I'd say the book is likely to be around a 3.0 if it is a 5.0 plus pen marks. If the book was otherwise a 9.0 without the pen marks, I'd estimate that the pen marks would knock it down to a 5.0. Krismusic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myboyluke Posted February 25, 2020 Author Share Posted February 25, 2020 2 minutes ago, valiantman said: The good news is that if the book would otherwise be about a 5.0 without the pen marks, it isn't hurt as much by the pen marks. I'd say the book is likely to be around a 3.0 if it is a 5.0 plus pen marks. If the book was otherwise a 9.0 without the pen marks, I'd estimate that the pen marks would knock it down to a 5.0. Thanks! I reckon I will purchase but this helps me determine how much to offer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theCapraAegagrus Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 16 hours ago, myboyluke said: Hello all, I have the opportunity to purchase a raw Hulk 180 with the value stamp - I have yet to see the book in person but will do so this week. I have some images attached of my key concerns - there are clear pen marks where a vendor (?) has scratched out the 25cent price and written 15cent on cover page with a felt tip pen (?). There also looks to be a couple of pen swirls but they may be pencil marks. There are some stains on the cover, and a little spine roll but I don't see any major creases or major spine ticks(but will assume there may be minor ones). First page looks OW but the rest are nice a crisp W. Best guess without the pen marks is 5.0... I don't want to send this over to the Grading forum as the images I have are not very good seeing as they are not mine. I could use some help assessing the ballpark grade with the pen marks and more importantly would a press/clean help with any of the mark-up/stains? Given the price I reckon I will pull the trigger as it's a Hulk 180 with value stamp for not a ton of money, but I also want to ensure I am armed with the right information before I do. I try to follow the mantra don't buy the grade, but in this case it's a little more than I am used to spending! Help! @joeypost, can you advise on the bolded? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krismusic Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 yeah not much pictured in book so hard to asses grade, but I would be more on the 4.0 side in my personal opinion, spine roll staining and that pen and marker hits it a bit. The press can help the spine roll not much for pen if its pen or marker... if that staining is just grime it might help that.. myboyluke and DT0428 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myboyluke Posted February 26, 2020 Author Share Posted February 26, 2020 Hello all - got more images however not the best quality...apologies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William-James88 Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 (edited) The pen marks have very little to do with the grade of this particular book in that condition. The main issue is that ton of staining and the spine. this is not a 5.0. The reason you are able to get it for not a ton of money is because it is in bad shape and most likely cannot be improved upon with pressing (the stains). If the price you are paying is less than 175$, then that's fine. If not, then you aren't getting a deal. Edited February 26, 2020 by William-James88 myboyluke 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadzukes Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 (edited) I agree with the responses in the thread so far. With the pics posted I see it in the 3.0 to 3.5 range. I don't mind buying comics in that grade range but I don't like heavy marker on my comics, so personally, unless it is a REALLY good deal I would pass on this one. It's hard for me to imagine that back in the day someone had trouble selling this (what would become a key issue) for $.25c and had to lower the price to $.15c. Edited February 26, 2020 by gadzukes myboyluke 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William-James88 Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 If it helps you with the offer, know that after fees the seller wouldn't make more than 150 on e-bay. Let us know how much you buy it for. myboyluke 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lions Den Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 From what I can see, 3.5 seems to be a pretty fair assessment. The page quality doesn't appear to be an issue... myboyluke 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krismusic Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 did the marker bleed through the pages? also no full front or back cover images.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valiantman Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 20 hours ago, gadzukes said: It's hard for me to imagine that back in the day someone had trouble selling this (what would become a key issue) for $.25c and had to lower the price to $.15c. I have a couple of sub-#100 issues of Amazing Spider-Man from the Silver Age that have a price sticker of $0.05 on them. They may have been "used books" at half-cover, but it's really weird to think about them coming into a used book shop and the owner not trying to get the full 12 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William-James88 Posted February 27, 2020 Share Posted February 27, 2020 9 minutes ago, valiantman said: I have a couple of sub-#100 issues of Amazing Spider-Man from the Silver Age that have a price sticker of $0.05 on them. They may have been "used books" at half-cover, but it's really weird to think about them coming into a used book shop and the owner not trying to get the full 12 cents. Still happens now. Some books from Morrison's X-Men run sell for far more than cover price these days due to first appearances and yet I have some of those with price stickers (on the bag containing them) at half the cover price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypost Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 I see spine roll that can be fixed along with some light creases on the spine. I am assuming the ink is sharpie and will do some experimenting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadzukes Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 (edited) 12 minutes ago, joeypost said: I see spine roll that can be fixed along with some light creases on the spine. I am assuming the ink is sharpie and will do some experimenting. Is that spineroll? or was it just slightly miswrapped? Are you handling the press on this Joey? Edited March 1, 2020 by gadzukes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypost Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 I guess I jumped the gun on the spine roll. Would need to see a full back cover scan, as it could be a miswrap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadzukes Posted March 1, 2020 Share Posted March 1, 2020 21 minutes ago, joeypost said: I guess I jumped the gun on the spine roll. Would need to see a full back cover scan, as it could be a miswrap. Since the staples are on the edge of the spine I'm thinking miswrap, but you're right.... gotta see the back cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...