What matters to you: grade, cover cut, or page quality?

[sfilosa]

The problem with the question is that they ALL MATTER.

 

But since most collectors draw a line a the minimum grade acceptable, then the page quality and quality of production only matters if the book meets that minimum grade.

[johnenock]

The numeric grade means the most to me, but if the book has one of those diaganal miscuts, it doesn't matter what grade it is - I can't stand them.

[Norrin_Radd]

Cover Alignment/Cut. I like well-centered/cut copies (no front miswrap).

[october]

The problem with the question is that they ALL MATTER.

 

But since most collectors draw a line a the minimum grade acceptable, then the page quality and quality of production only matters if the book meets that minimum grade.

 

I think Sterling is talking about something like this scenario....

 

1. 9.6 OW miscut (grade)

 

2. 9.4 W miscut (PQ)

 

3. 9.4 OW centered (QP)

 

Depending on which one of the above 3 you choose, that would be the aspect most important to you. At least, that's how I interpreted his question.

[divad]

stoopid question wrong forum like Steve says, they all matter

 

[nik]

D: All of the above

[Rocketeer]

...I have a threshold for each,....If the book is not presently in my collection then the grade must be at least a 9.4 unless there are no 9.4's in the census,...then it has to be at least ow,..no cow,...and it can't be a diagonal cut or have more than 1/8 of an inch of spine showing on a miswrap,....

 

....If I already own the book and a better copy comes along then it depends on the cut and page quality,....I would never replace say an ow/w 9.4 with good centering for a 9.6 or 9.8 that had a lousy cut or ow pages,...in fact I rarly upgrade at all unless it is a key book....

[comicguy96]

mm in that last case i would take the centered, but i do prefer the higher grade which all three of those come into affect on that so there ya go

[The Black Hand ®]

Since I collect lower to mid-grade Golden Age books for the love of it and not so much the quick turn around or investment aspect, page quality matters the most for endurance and handling, I'd rather have an acceptable vg with white pages than a vf with tan.

[Mr. Zipper]

Echoing what some others have touched on, in my view, you can't separate the three.

 

My most important criteria is EYE APPEAL which is a subjective evaluation of the net effect of all 3 qualities in combination. In some cases I'd prefer a slightly lower "technical" grade over a higher grade with unsightly centering. In other cases I'd prefer a higher grade with OW pages than a lower grade with W pages.

 

Interesting question, but I don't think many collectors will commit to an absolute answer.

[Rip]

One of the things I like that hasn't been mentioned is white backs

But if the book is off centered by more than 1/8" I'll many times take the one grade lower.

The worst however is a crooked cut with lots of white.

 

If the book isn't slabbed I'll be a little more forgiving. I figure, if I'm going to shell out the big bucks for the book, I want it to look just right.

[sckao]

 

I personally only care about the condition of the CGC case... I hate buying CGC cases that have small scratches on them or those that show visible wear and tear.

 

Towards that end, I'm announcing plans to start a new company.. one that will encapsulate CGC cases to preserve their condition.

 

My last magazine CGC holder came all damaged in transit (1.5 inches broken off the lower edge).. so obviously that one's now used as a coaster.

[CainTheCaretaker-migration]

What OF says is true--what Im trying to ascertain is which defect matters most to you provided a book is presented in the same grade three times with one of the items not in the best of shape. Which one could you live with.

[tth2]

I personally only care about the condition of the CGC case... I hate buying CGC cases that have small scratches on them or those that show visible wear and tear.

 

Towards that end, I'm announcing plans to start a new company.. one that will encapsulate CGC cases to preserve their condition.

I, on the other hand, am going to start a company that restores holders to make them look as good as new. The good news is that it is our unequivocal policy not to press slabs. Apparently, it's not a very effective restoration technique...

 

My last magazine CGC holder came all damaged in transit (1.5 inches broken off the lower edge).. so obviously that one's now used as a coaster.

I can relate. I use the CGC holders that come back with a 9.2 label the same way.

[Black Hawk]

My most important criteria is EYE APPEAL which is a subjective evaluation of the net effect of all 3 qualities in combination. In some cases I'd prefer a slightly lower "technical" grade over a higher grade with unsightly centering. In other cases I'd prefer a higher grade with OW pages than a lower grade with W pages.

I agree with the vote for eye appeal. I will often take a book that is in less then perfect condition but has a lot to offer in the eye candy department. I can even ignore a little ink or marker on the book if the overall eye appeal of the book is retained.

 

Here's an example of a book that I think has great eye appeal but as you can see the spine has seen better days. Call me crazy.

[Flaming_Telepath]

The problem with the question is that they ALL MATTER.

 

But since most collectors draw a line a the minimum grade acceptable, then the page quality and quality of production only matters if the book meets that minimum grade.

 

Hmmmm....

 

But viewed another way, I'll take anything above 9.0 for my personal collection, providing the eye-appeal is there.

 

But I'd never take anything with a mis-wrap...9.4s and 9.6s included.

 

So in my case, the numeric grade is moveable, but the QP isn't.

[CainTheCaretaker-migration]

good point, Rip. I hate it when a HG book comes to me and I flip it over, and it looks like a friggin mess. I personally use a dry eraser specifically for comics to clean em up, as that is one of my pet peeves. Still haven't had the time to try wonder bread.

 

I won the Don Rosa HOM 209 9.6, but the cut is for nothing. I've waited three years so this will stay until I find one with a better cut in the same grade or better. I didn't even look at that kinda thing before I joined the boards bit now I am more fanatic about stuff like this-but not fanatic enough if I've been waiting a long time to find a book.

[divad]

I personally only care about the condition of the CGC case... I hate buying CGC cases that have small scratches on them or those that show visible wear and tear.

 

Towards that end, I'm announcing plans to start a new company.. one that will encapsulate CGC cases to preserve their condition.

I, on the other hand, am going to start a company that restores holders to make them look as good as new. The good news is that it is our unequivocal policy not to press slabs. Apparently, it's not a very effective restoration technique...

 

My last magazine CGC holder came all damaged in transit (1.5 inches broken off the lower edge).. so obviously that one's now used as a coaster.

I can relate. I use the CGC holders that come back with a 9.2 label the same way.

 

I use the 9.2's for spitoons . . .

 

[jediknight]

I think you should have refined the question because they all do matter. Do you mean if you have three different comics and all have the same grade but one has white pages, another a great cut? Clairify please.

[october]

I think you should have refined the question because they all do matter. Do you mean if you have three different comics and all have the same grade but one has white pages, another a great cut? Clairify please.

 

He already did.