Copper 9.2 Grail: is 9.4 possible 2 2

[vacantpassenger]

Asking for assistance as I'm torn on this issue (... no pun intended).  I have in my possession a 9.2 TMNT #1 and I was asked if it was worth attempting to crack it, press, and resubmit.  I originally didn't think so; but the more I thought about it - I'm unsure.

(I want to state that I acknowledge this is being picky, and this book in a natural 9.2 is nothing to snuff, but this will also help benefit my grading and pressing knowledge)

I don't believe a 9.6 is possible (correct me if wrong) given the black cover and it's issues, and when I compare it to other black cover 9.0s I see some risk of even possibly downgrading and "loosing out" even after a press in all ways (grade, time, money, etc)

The biggest issue is a small color breaking crease on the back top right corner. Would a black book with that color break defect have a possibility of making a 9.4 even after smoothing it out? (This is what I think makes a 9.6 a no-go)

Here are some photos of the key defects, nearly all of which I think can be fixed with a press (even the staple imprints?).

Thanks for the assist and your time, as it is much appreciated!

[Galen130]

I’d take the 9.2 and be happy with it.  My opinion, of course. 🖖

[vacantpassenger]

On 10/12/2021 at 9:50 PM, Galen130 said:

I’d take the 9.2 and be happy with it.  My opinion, of course. 🖖

I agree, but that's not my call and also not the point. 

[comicdonna]

It's my opinion that the book is currently a 9.0  and I don't think it will ever get a CGC 9.4 grade.  

[grendelbo]

On 10/12/2021 at 8:03 PM, comicdonna said:

It's my opinion that the book is currently a 9.0  and I don't think it will ever get a CGC 9.4 grade.  

This exactly. And I could also see it as an 8.5.

9.2 looks to be a generous grade. A press may help it retain it's current label but I doubt it would improve it. 

Thanks for sharing.

[shadroch]

I'd say a press will improve the book but that grade seems high to begin with.  Don't press, take a few dollars that you'll save and buy some lottery tickets.  Maybe you'll get lucky again. You could press it, resubmit it and end up with a 9.0.  Too much risk for little reward. 

Enjoy your book.

Edited October 13, 2021 by shadroch

[vacantpassenger]

On 10/12/2021 at 10:03 PM, comicdonna said:

It's my opinion that the book is currently a 9.0  and I don't think it will ever get a CGC 9.4 grade.  

Thank you. I felt similarly once comparing it to other black cover 9.0s and 9.2s I was able to reference. The more I thought about it I saw a press helping preserve a lucky 9.2 grade, but the color break being enough to possibly bring it down to 9.0 on its own irrespective of the other flaws. It's not worth the risk IMHO

[vacantpassenger]

For clarity: the book is not mine and I'm only it's "caretaker" until a decision is made. A family member wanted to gift it to me and but I wouldn't accept. They weren't fully aware of it's current FMV (they're not a serious collector)

They felt they got a bad grade (I lol'd when they told me that) and as I said they asked about cracking and pressing since this was before it was a standard thing. I told them the potential risk is greater than the reward and shot their 9.6 pipe dream out of their head when I showed them my black cover 9.6 slab for comparison. I told them a 9.4 was an extreme maybe, and that a 9.0 had a serious chance of happening, which would be a bigger loss than the hefty grading fee.

Also, as generous as 9.2 is, an 8.5 is harsh

Edited October 13, 2021 by vacantpassenger

[Zegeroth]

Really too hard to access this inside a case via pictures.  From what I see on color breaking creases and lower right, i would not dare crack this.

[William-James88]

A press would 100% improve that book. Go for it.

[Gatsby77]

On 10/12/2021 at 11:07 PM, Zegeroth said:

Really too hard to access this inside a case via pictures.  From what I see on color breaking creases and lower right, i would not dare crack this.

Agree. I think it's a true 9.0 in a 9.2 slab.

Also - TMNT # 1 is one of those fragile books where pressing's just as likely to result in additional cracks/creases than not.

100% not worth the risk.

[vacantpassenger]

On 10/13/2021 at 6:56 AM, Gatsby77 said:

Also - TMNT # 1 is one of those fragile books where pressing's just as likely to result in additional cracks/creases than not.

I haven't heard of this before. Is that a known thing with newsprint comics I'm unaware of? 

[HighVoltage]

On 10/13/2021 at 4:56 AM, Gatsby77 said:

Agree. I think it's a true 9.0 in a 9.2 slab.

Also - TMNT # 1 is one of those fragile books where pressing's just as likely to result in additional cracks/creases than not.

100% not worth the risk.

This.
A well-executed press would probably make it a solid 9.2.
But the process would be a risk with more negative connotations than positive.

[Lpgk]

that doesn't even look like a 9.2 as is. just look at it getting a gift grade and enjoy it for what it is. 

[Mars76]

I think you got lucky with the grade. Looks like a 9.0 to me.

[Funnybooks]

appears 9.0 from my vantage point

I think 9.2 was generous 

C&P to a nicer presenting 9.2