Thoughts on submitting an Already High Graded book for signing? 3 3

[OJ Pimpson]

I have an X-Men 58 (First Havok) in a 9.2 white pages. I think this book is going to pop in the coming years. Considering submitting for a Neal Adams Sig. My concern is obviously that the book gets down graded. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks 

[StillOnly25Cents]

consensus will say, if you are happy with your current grade 9.2 which seems very solid for a book of that age, then it is not worth risking 

there are too many variables that can go wrong ... damage in shipping the book again either to or back from CGC, improper handling of the book by the facilitator or signer, a grader with different thoughts on a 9.2 than the original grader, etc, etc

 

find another book and go from there .... good luck   

Edited September 24, 2020 by StillOnly25Cents

[OJ Pimpson]

Thanks. That’s kind of what I was thinking. It’s just such a great Adams Cover on a key book. But I think I’ll stay away and try to find a decent raw copy

[StillOnly25Cents]

based on current FMV from 1 source, if it falls to either a 9.0 or 8.5 it would lose $125 in value ($550 to $425)

same swing but in the positive if it went up 1 grade to a 9.4

[seanfingh]

19 hours ago, Dimez said:

Thanks. That’s kind of what I was thinking. It’s just such a great Adams Cover on a key book. But I think I’ll stay away and try to find a decent raw copy

Just so you hear the opposing opinion - I disagree with everything the other person said.  That may be a common belief as it relates to cracking out 9.8s for signature (and just so we are clear, I don't agree with that either. I have cracked out dozens possibly hundreds of 9.8s and had one grade drop) but not for a 9.2. A 9.2 has significant wear on it already.  The risk of a grade drop is SUBSTANTIALLY less than the risk of a grade drop on a cracked out 9.8.

Do grade drops happen. Sure they do. But so do grade bumps. Careful planning, knowing who is handling the book, and learning how to create bomb proof window bag transportation systems will keep most grades on point.

The Sig Room has become a place of grade drop fear mongering and it is out of place. 

 

[ivdyer]

3 minutes ago, seanfingh said:

Just so you hear the opposing opinion - I disagree with everything the other person said.  That may be a common belief as it relates to cracking out 9.8s for signature (and just so we are clear, I don't agree with that either. I have cracked out dozens possibly hundreds of 9.8s and had one grade drop) but not for a 9.2. A 9.2 has significant wear on it already.  The risk of a grade drop is SUBSTANTIALLY less than the risk of a grade drop on a cracked out 9.8.

Do grade drops happen. Sure they do. But so do grade bumps. Careful planning, knowing who is handling the book, and learning how to create bomb proof window bag transportation systems will keep most grades on point.

The Sig Room has become a place of grade drop fear mongering and it is out of place. 

 

I agree with this statement, well said.  

[Gator Guru]

Wouldn’t risk it at all. Grade drops have happened to me on average about 25% of the time. Ive had a few big one and some 9.8 to 9.6. Have also had some horribly out of place sigs and no the signers will not sign in the color ink you request. I submit a lot less slabs now and instead go raw or if I really want something wait for a few weeks after the signing and snatch stuff up on ebay. The unwritten rule is if you cant stomach even a slight grade drop then dont do it!

[William-James88]

On 9/25/2020 at 12:22 PM, Gator Guru said:

The unwritten rule is if you cant stomach even a slight grade drop then dont do it!

That rule is written now by cgc when you submit for a signing.

[fishbone]

My 9.8 Wolverine #1 limited series SS Stan lee from several years ago was sent to CGC for Frank Miller signing - no problem, still 9.8 !

 

hope that helps

[Gator Guru]

On 9/26/2020 at 1:29 PM, William-James88 said:

That rule is written now by cgc when you submit for a signing.

Ive seen a few videos and I am sure they have gotten their fair share of complaints. I havent submitted anything too valuable and the ones that I did have come back fine. I guess I have been lucky in that regard but yes it was needed by them and yes "stuff" happens when a comic is handled. I would still recommend them but would caution anyone still on submitting a high grade book of value.

[Comixroc]

Here’s what I ask myself before making the decision: “which will bring a bigger smile to my face?  The 9.2 Universal, or a 9.0 Signature?“

Problem solved.

 

[Crowljor]

On 10/19/2020 at 9:25 AM, Comixroc said:

Here’s what I ask myself before making the decision: “which will bring a bigger smile to my face?  The 9.2 Universal, or a 9.0 Signature?“

Problem solved.

 

I would rather have a signature on my book, especially a key book. It looks good on my wall. 

[Comixroc]

2 hours ago, Crowljor said:

I would rather have a signature on my book, especially a key book. It looks good on my wall. 

Good call.

[Ares]

Go for it and take a chance.

I had a Green Lantern 87 slabbed 9.2

Cracked it out and had it signed by Neal Adams and Dennis O'Neil

Came back 9.4

[justin]

YOLO! I sent in a rare 1-of-8 blue label 9.8 and got this back. The one and only 9.8 SS, and by the man himself Jim Steranko!

Edited November 9, 2020 by justin

[OJ Pimpson]

5 hours ago, justin said:

YOLO! I sent in a rare 1-of-8 blue label 9.8 and got this back. The one and only 9.8 SS, and by the man himself Jim Steranko!

Holy mess that’s an incredible looking book

[D2]

I do fear grade drops. 
I’ve had a drop from a 9.8 down to a 9.6, however, I also resubmitted the 9.6 with a press and clean, and it got regraded again at a 9.8... so...

For me, at the end of the day, you have 3 options

A) Keep your book as is, get another, and try for a SS with higher grade. 
2) Submit your book, hope for the best. 
or D) Sell it all and open a lemonade stand!

In summary, I have a few things I live by: no risk no reward, don’t do something you’ll permanently regret, know your limits, and don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone. I typically go with one of these 4 approaches, and usually in most scenarios, 1 of these 4 are more applicable than the rest. 

good luck!
 

 

[Gator Guru]

7 minutes ago, D2 said:

I do fear grade drops. 
I’ve had a drop from a 9.8 down to a 9.6, however, I also resubmitted the 9.6 with a press and clean, and it got regraded again at a 9.8... so...

For me, at the end of the day, you have 3 options

A) Keep your book as is, get another, and try for a SS with higher grade. 
2) Submit your book, hope for the best. 
or D) Sell it all and open a lemonade stand!

In summary, I have a few things I live by: no risk no reward, don’t do something you’ll permanently regret, know your limits, and don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone. I typically go with one of these 4 approaches, and usually in most scenarios, 1 of these 4 are more applicable than the rest. 

good luck!
 

 

If I really like the book I would resub with a press as you did. Im curious though if it affects the signature at all?

[D2]

10 minutes ago, Gator Guru said:

If I really like the book I would resub with a press as you did. Im curious though if it affects the signature at all?

Zero change to the signatures. 
 

And even more interesting is I used an acrylic paint pen which people really fear using, especially with clean and presses, and everything came back perfect  

For my signatures, I did do a lot of tests and research. I went with Molotow paint pens which is an expensive brand, but the ink was totally opaque, cool color selections, no breaks in the signatures, and they survived a grading, and then a resubmit with press and clean! 2 thumbs up!

Edited November 9, 2020 by D2

[justin]

2 hours ago, Dimez said:

Holy mess that’s an incredible looking book

Looks even better in person :). Also, it was signed on 2/22/20 so that’s pretty cool. 

Edited November 9, 2020 by justin