Akira 1,please take a look 2 2

[shadroch]

So I have a couple copies of this book and three have identical defects.

The top and bottom of the spine appear split, but they aren’t. Instead, the black ink seems to be missing. There is no paper split, just lack of black ink.

Any information about if this is common and how to grade it would be appreciated.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Lack of ink would be a manufacturing defect, and keep it from the 9.9-10 range (if otherwise mint).

[Funnybooks]

37 minutes ago, theCapraAegagrus said:

Lack of ink would be a manufacturing defect, and keep it from the 9.9-10 range (if otherwise mint).

agreed

Edited October 5, 2020 by Funnybooks

[Galen130]

Also agree.  That’s an odd one.

[shadroch]

But it is acceptable in the 9.4 range?

[Deadpoolica]

11 hours ago, theCapraAegagrus said:

Lack of ink would be a manufacturing defect, and keep it from the 9.9-10 range (if otherwise mint).

[theCapraAegagrus]

16 hours ago, shadroch said:

But it is acceptable in the 9.4 range?

My understanding is that it's acceptable up to 9.8, but maybe @The Lions Den can confirm or deny?

[The Lions Den]

Things like this are entirely up to the graders, but many times modern books with a certain flaw will suffer a predetermined fate.

For example, the primary grader will decide that a copy of a modern book with a flaw like the one pictured can only reach a certain grade (let's say the grade is 9.6). Since the other modern graders often seek guidance from the primary grader in matters like this, whatever the primary grader has previously decided will almost always be the final grade...