Tom789 Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 This is from the right edge of a Fantastic Four #254, so late Bronze Age Marvel. I assume this series of small tears is a production issue, so wouldn't count against a potential 9.8? Also, I posted another possible production issue in the pinned production issue thread, but no one has responded yet. If anyone would like to take a look, I'd appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvelmaniac Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 Is this the book you are referring to? I just looked at four CGC NM/MT 9.8 books and some 9.6/9.4's on eBay and none have those ticks, chances are they are not production flaws. Exactly where are these ticks located? Can we get a clear pic of the entire front cover? Tom789 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom789 Posted March 9, 2023 Author Share Posted March 9, 2023 On 3/9/2023 at 10:50 AM, marvelmaniac said: Is this the book you are referring to? I just looked at four CGC NM/MT 9.8 books and some 9.6/9.4's on eBay and none have those ticks, chances are they are not production flaws. Exactly where are these ticks located? Can we get a clear pic of the entire front cover? It's under press right now, so I will post a full picture later tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowGradeBronze Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 Even if it were production related, something of that order would keep it it out of 9.8 territory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom789 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 On 3/9/2023 at 10:50 AM, marvelmaniac said: Is this the book you are referring to? I just looked at four CGC NM/MT 9.8 books and some 9.6/9.4's on eBay and none have those ticks, chances are they are not production flaws. Exactly where are these ticks located? Can we get a clear pic of the entire front cover? Here it is. The defect is on the right edge below the yellow text. I didn't mean to imply that this was a defect unique to this cover. It doesn't look to me like a handling defect, so I was just curious how it would be treated. It probably wouldn't get a 9.8 anyway due to the lower right corner damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theCapraAegagrus Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 On 3/9/2023 at 3:40 PM, LowGradeBronze said: Even if it were production related, something of that order would keep it it out of 9.8 territory. The exception would be if it's considered a recognizable MFG defect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvelmaniac Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 I am assuming that your original pic is highly magnified, looking at your new pic, my old eyes cannot spot the ticks, even enlarging the photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom789 Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 (edited) On 3/10/2023 at 7:10 AM, marvelmaniac said: I am assuming that your original pic is highly magnified, looking at your new pic, my old eyes cannot spot the ticks, even enlarging the photo. Yes, the original is 4x on my smartphone. I can barely see them in the newer photo, but I know where to look. Edited March 10, 2023 by Tom789 Added info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvelmaniac Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 If the ticks are that hard to see, my question would be, because I really do not know, does CGC use magnification when looking for defects or is it by the naked eye? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lions Den Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 On 3/10/2023 at 10:34 AM, marvelmaniac said: If the ticks are that hard to see, my question would be, because I really do not know, does CGC use magnification when looking for defects or is it by the naked eye? Most of the time they just use their eyes... This is Who We Are 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorick Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 On 3/9/2023 at 10:04 AM, Tom789 said: Open edge micro tears. Could be a dull cutting blade. If other copies do not exhibit this, CGC would likely downgrade the book (if they spot it). Iconic1s, Tom789 and silverseeker 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...