USCMitch Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Greetings all- I'm at a loss when it comes to grading Golden Age books. I have an idea but want to get some outside opinions. Most issues are apparent but: - Spot on spine at upper staple. I think it's staining as the interior of the staples are pretty clean. - Spine split that tears across the back cover. Thanks in advance for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendelbo Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 4.0, maybe 4.5. Thanks for posting. USCMitch, 1950's war comics and The Lions Den 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars76 Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) Now that I can see the interior cover I'm changing my grade from 4.5 to 3.5. Still a nice cover😎 Edited February 25, 2023 by Mars76 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1950's war comics Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 On 2/18/2023 at 5:23 PM, grendelbo said: 4.0, maybe 4.5. Thanks for posting. exact;y what i was thinking... FoggyNelson and grendelbo 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scburdet Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 all aboard the 4.0 train, give or take Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendelbo Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Relooking at the book I thought there is probably some color fading going on. Checking ebay it would seem I'm right but it's not going to factor much into the grade of this book IMO. Probably more of a 4.0. Â Mars76 and The Lions Den 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skypinkblu Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Just a suggestion, the first thing I learned about GA books was to count the pages, they vary. Here is a great resource...https://www.twomorrows.com/alterego/media/Golden Age Index.pdf USCMitch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzutak Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 The first thing that jumps out at me is the discoloration along the left and right edges of the front cover. When I see an anomaly like this, I always ask myself why. Are these simple oxidation shadows, or are they evidence of something more serious, like staining due to old tape on the inside cover? I have a similar reaction when I see rust stains on the cover stock surrounding a staple, but no rust on that staple. Is this because the staple was replaced, or is there a less nefarious explanation? I'm not suggesting this is the case with your book, only that "critical thinking" and "due diligence" are essential -- just like Sharon's suggestion to always count pages.  Mars76 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoggyNelson Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Very good cond. 1950's war comics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skypinkblu Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 It looks like the bottom of the spine has broken off along with that small piece missing at the bottom of the open edge, leaving me wondering if at least "slightly brittle pages" will be part of the grade. It's hard to figure out the right open edge (front) as well. I can't tell if it's mold or as ZZutak mentioned, possible tape stains. Would you have a picture of the inside front cover? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo_7071 Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 I think that it's probably a 3.5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowGradeBronze Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 I was at 4.0 to 4.5 but going with 4.0 max having read the forensic analysis/queries raised by the GA experts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCMitch Posted February 25, 2023 Author Share Posted February 25, 2023 On 2/19/2023 at 10:10 AM, skypinkblu said: It looks like the bottom of the spine has broken off along with that small piece missing at the bottom of the open edge, leaving me wondering if at least "slightly brittle pages" will be part of the grade. It's hard to figure out the right open edge (front) as well. I can't tell if it's mold or as ZZutak mentioned, possible tape stains. Would you have a picture of the inside front cover? Interior cover photo attached. Also noticed the small piece of tape on the lower corner of the inside cover. Simply amazed that the cover is still holding on as it seems to defy physics based on the photo. Pages are still very supple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...