PGM Fantastic Four #49 3 3

[oatcrunch]

Hi,

I recently purchased a raw Fantastic Four #49 on eBay and would love an assessment of some of the issues I'm seeing with it.

Although the seller told me that it was not water stains, there does look to be staining on the front (inside only) and back covers (inside and out). I am questioning it because it doesn't look like typical water staining to me, but I don't have any experience with older books with water stains.

If it is water stain, then I am going to return it. Any thoughts on whether this is actually water staining? If it is, what grade could I expect if I keep it? Any assistance is appreciated!

 

[scburdet]

It looks to me like an oil transfer stain, something @zzutak recently educated me about. I will defer to those that have seen this in more than 1 comic to confirm this, but I don't think it's treated as harshly as a water stain. I'm going to say 7.5±0.5. I think this is a sharp looking copy and unless you paid a VF≤ price, you probably did OK.

 

[oatcrunch]

On 8/15/2022 at 5:45 PM, scburdet said:

It looks to me like an oil transfer stain, something @zzutak recently educated me about. I will defer to those that have seen this in more than 1 comic to confirm this, but I don't think it's treated as harshly as a water stain. I'm going to say 7.5±0.5. I think this is a sharp looking copy and unless you paid a VF≤ price, you probably did OK.

 

Interesting, thanks for the feedback! I thought the answer was going to be "of course that's a water stain, what else could it be" so I've definitely learned something here.

I paid about a 5.5 price for it, so I'm hoping it's at least that with the minor tears along the spine.

[Geoff2099]

I didn't know about oil transfers either.... If I'd paid a 5.5 price I'd risk a cgc submission for sure

[oatcrunch]

On 8/15/2022 at 7:05 PM, Geoff2099 said:

I didn't know about oil transfers either.... If I'd paid a 5.5 price I'd risk a cgc submission for sure

I don't slab my books so I'm just trying to figure out if I should return it. If it's oil and if I get a consensus on a >5.5 grade (I'm going to a comic con this weekend and am hoping to get some feedback there too), then I'll just hang on to it. But we'll see!

[grendelbo]

Looks like aged paper to me, not a stain.

6.0/6.5

Thanks for sharing.

[fast eddie]

Hmmmmm,,,,,,,,, it is definitely at least a 6.0,,,,,, if it was water stain it should be on the inner pages as well I would assume. That is a very nice book there!

[zzutak]

This looks like a classic "oil transfer stain" to me.  This is what happens when oil from the interior printing ink migrates to and penetrates the cover stock.  Oil migration is possible because the printing inks used on the interior are oil based.  An oil transfer stain is definitely regarded as a blemish/defect, but one that's much less severe than an equivalent moisture stain.

If this was an aging issue, the discoloration would begin at the cover edges and work towards the cover center over time.  Just the opposite has taken place here.  The center of the cover (which is directly over the inked portion of the interior pages) has yellowed from the oil transfer.  The top and bottom edges of the cover (which are directly over uninked page margins) are still white.

[oatcrunch]

On 8/15/2022 at 9:14 PM, zzutak said:

This looks like a classic "oil transfer stain" to me.  This is what happens when oil from the interior printing ink migrates to and penetrates the cover stock.  Oil migration is possible because the printing inks used on the interior are oil based.  An oil transfer stain is definitely regarded as a blemish/defect, but one that's much less severe than an equivalent moisture stain.

If this was an aging issue, the discoloration would begin at the cover edges and work towards the cover center over time.  Just the opposite has taken place here.  The center of the cover (which is directly over the inked portion of the interior pages) has yellowed from the oil transfer.  The top and bottom edges of the cover (which are directly over uninked page margins) are still white.

Thanks, very helpful. It seems it's worth keeping, which is a relief because I love the cover on this copy.

[FoggyNelson]

Big key worthy of rolling the dice on a cgc submission ,‼️🎶 an it would be exciting to see what grade it brings👍🎶

[LowGradeBronze]

Structure first, ahead of its lovely appearance, it's around a 4.0 due to the spine wear and damage around staples. I'd still keep unless you know you can track down another copy that presents as nicely (regardless of the grade.)

[Bo1983]

7.0 one of the best covers of all time!

[oatcrunch]

On 8/16/2022 at 12:02 PM, LowGradeBronze said:

Structure first, ahead of its lovely appearance, it's around a 4.0 due to the spine wear and damage around staples. I'd still keep unless you know you can track down another copy that presents as nicely (regardless of the grade.)

Yes I’m very happy with the appearance and really want to keep it. Hard to find raws that look this nice so I can live with the issues as long as I’m not taking a total bath on it. Thanks!

[LowGradeBronze]

You also have to take into account that some keys, including FF49, will command "guide+" prices due to demand always outstripping supply. (And again, applies in any grade.) 

[1950's war comics]

i think it is near "fine"

[Galen130]

Aged paper or ink oil staining…6.0.