PGM Teeny Titans 1 3 3

[Qalyar]

I've mentioned this book a couple times on the forums, and I'd like opinions as to its grade. The book presents nicely, especially from the front, but there are a couple of flaws that I know would be big hits. There may also be a slight full-book bend, although that's unlikely to affect the final grade for reasons that will be very obvious.

I wish this book was in a little better condition, but the extreme rarity of this piece means that any copy is a good copy. Regardless, this book is not a candidate for pressing because of the semi-foil sticker applied to the front cover. So far as I am aware, all physical copies of this book have that sticker attached, which means this isn't likely pressable by a responsible presser (and won't get within 10 feet of an irresponsible presser). I also have no idea how CGC would evaluate the sticker from a grading perspective -- grade hit, green label, notation, random other options?? -- and that's a big part of why I'm here at PGM with it! So, call 'em like you see 'em!

Front cover corners:

Back cover corners. Uh oh.

Bend / color rub at back cover top staple:

And finally, oblique shots of the damage to the spine at both top and bottom of the back cover:

[zzutak]

On 6/13/2022 at 3:13 PM, Qalyar said:

Regardless, this book is not a candidate for pressing because of the semi-foil sticker applied to the front cover. So far as I am aware, all physical copies of this book have that sticker attached, which means this isn't likely pressable by a responsible presser (and won't get within 10 feet of an irresponsible presser).

For what it's worth, it's sometimes possible to ameliorate or remove small bends and/or surface irregularities via localized or "spot" pressing using a hand-held instrument known as a tacking iron.  In the world of paper conservation, tacking irons are primarily used to affix heat-set adhesive materials (like Japan paper, which is often used for sealing tears); however, they can/have been used for other purposes (such as spot pressing).  Consult a professional (which I most decidedly am not). 

[Qalyar]

On 6/13/2022 at 6:11 PM, zzutak said:

For what it's worth, it's sometimes possible to ameliorate or remove small bends and/or surface irregularities via localized or "spot" pressing using a hand-held instrument known as a tacking iron.  In the world of paper conservation, tacking irons are primarily used to affix heat-set adhesive materials (like Japan paper, which is often used for sealing tears); however, they can/have been used for other purposes (such as spot pressing).  Consult a professional (which I most decidedly am not). 

Admittedly correct, but if there's a whole-book bend  -- I was sure there was when I got it, but it sure seems to lay flatter now, so maybe replacing the backing board and storing it properly since then has helped -- then a tacking iron wouldn't be suitable to correct it. And of course, no pressing technique can fix those spine corners.

[grendelbo]

I'm thinking 6.0/6.5.

Sticker won't matter in the FN range. I don't know how high a grade can be with an attached sticker, but I've seen 7.5s with small ones.

But if all copies have them, they shouldn't matter. It's a little like AS 184 and the All Detergent Promotional sticke, IMO.

I can't find one graded higher but this book looks like an 8.0 regardless of the sticker.

Thanks for sharing.

[Qalyar]

On 6/13/2022 at 6:32 PM, grendelbo said:

I'm thinking 6.0/6.5.

Sticker won't matter in the FN range. I don't know how high a grade can be with an attached sticker, but I've seen 7.5s with small ones.

But if all copies have them, they shouldn't matter. It's a little like AS 184 and the All Detergent Promotional sticke, IMO.

I can't find one graded higher but this book looks like an 8.0 regardless of the sticker.

Thanks for sharing.

It's actually a lot like the All promotional in that respect, except that CGC's never seen a copy of Teeny Titans. Oh, and you can find pictures of the cover online without the sticker (but they're taken from the digital edition), so there's room for people to get confused. But you're probably right in that the top of the spine renders any question about the sticker status sadly moot.

[grendelbo]

On 6/13/2022 at 5:47 PM, Qalyar said:

It's actually a lot like the All promotional in that respect, except that CGC's never seen a copy of Teeny Titans. Oh, and you can find pictures of the cover online without the sticker (but they're taken from the digital edition), so there's room for people to get confused. But you're probably right in that the top of the spine renders any question about the sticker status sadly moot.

Yeah I looked at the census and found nothing. I'm pretty good at that Google and I couldn't find another copy for comparison. Seems to be pretty rare and unique.

[Qalyar]

On 6/13/2022 at 6:53 PM, grendelbo said:

Yeah I looked at the census and found nothing. I'm pretty good at that Google and I couldn't find another copy for comparison. Seems to be pretty rare and unique.

Here was my writeup of the story behind the distribution of this comic. Perhaps around 500 copies distributed, but under circumstances that effectively guaranteed a uniquely terrible survival rate for copies. I know that there are at least a couple others out there, but I've never actually seen another in person... or for sale.

[Galen130]

7.0-ish.  Very unique item.  Good luck if you send it in to CGC. 

[MrRoboto]

If all physical copies have the sticker, then I think cgc would see it as part of the book and give it a blue label. 7.0

[Qalyar]

On 6/17/2022 at 3:39 PM, MrRoboto said:

If all physical copies have the sticker, then I think cgc would see it as part of the book and give it a blue label. 7.0

That's certainly what I'd want to happen, but I figure with a book this obscure (which CGC has never seen either), it's wise to be prepared for anything