Repairing tiny chips 0

[Sam Juliano]

Hello.  I am a comic book collector from New Jersey.

I have a question and perhaps an inquiry on the price for a repair. (Not a restoration)

I purchased a comic book on e bay last week that was in VF/NM condition.  The title is SUPER RARE in that condition and the price I paid for it was.............$599.00 plus tax and shipping.  So, figure about $640.00.

The title is WESTWARD HO! (No. 14 in the Classics Illustrated series)

I made a fateful decision (now regretted more than I can say, and that is the classic understaement!) of carefully removing the comic from the bag and board just to examine it.  But when I place it back in the bag it seems it got caught near the bottom of the right (front cover) and it chipped.  Mind you, the chip is TINY (and I mean TINY) and it is full black from the art in that section of the illustration.  I recovered the tiny chip and it is now on the other side of the board.  There is also an equally MINUTE tear forming slightly under the chip, which is almost impossible to see.  I am wondering what it would cost to get the chip back in its proper spot and have these two microscopic repairs made, and what you would advise me to do.  I am NOT planning to sell the book (nor others in my large collection) and will pass then on to my kids.  I am a 68 year-old schoolteacher who has so far resisted retirement.

Thank you so much,

Sam Juliano

P. S. Needless to say this blunder has had me losing sleep.  This comic is rated 9.0 and as I say is VF/NM.  There are absolutely NO OTHER ISSUES, other than the minor imperfections I just explained.
 

[Lazyboy]

On 3/19/2023 at 9:10 AM, Sam Juliano said:

I have a question and perhaps an inquiry on the price for a repair. (Not a restoration)

Um...

You caused a piece (however small) to be torn off. Now you can either restore it or not restore it. Those are your options.

[SOTIcollector]

I’m sorry this happened.  Most collectors know the feeling of causing inadvertent damage to a book, and it’s not a pleasant feeling.

It looks like you paid a lot of money for a reprint of a great old Classics Comics book.  If you were planning to sell the book some day, I’d urge you not to restore it.  The restoration would drop the resale value to perhaps half or a third of its market value.  Given that you have no intention of selling the book, just do what feels best to you.

 

 

[theCapraAegagrus]

As was mentioned, 'repairing' this would indeed be a form of restoration.

[Sam Juliano]

On 3/19/2023 at 8:12 PM, Lazyboy said:

Um...

You caused a piece (however small) to be torn off. Now you can either restore it or not restore it. Those are your options.

Lazyboy, many thanks.

[Sam Juliano]

On 3/20/2023 at 12:43 AM, SOTIcollector said:

I’m sorry this happened.  Most collectors know the feeling of causing inadvertent damage to a book, and it’s not a pleasant feeling.

It looks like you paid a lot of money for a reprint of a great old Classics Comics book.  If you were planning to sell the book some day, I’d urge you not to restore it.  The restoration would drop the resale value to perhaps half or a third of its market value.  Given that you have no intention of selling the book, just do what feels best to you.

 

 

SOTIcollector, many thanks for the very good advice.  Yes, you accurately identified the edition I purchased, which I believe was the only printing of that rare title that didn't have the Classics masthead.  You obviously know your stuff.  I am assuming the price (which again you were right to note was quite a bit to pay) was determined because of the stunning condition of the book.  Based on all you say here I am inclined to do nothing right now.  I am an up-in-age schoolteacher (68) who will pass my collection on to my five kids.  

[Sam Juliano]

On 3/20/2023 at 9:56 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

As was mentioned, 'repairing' this would indeed be a form of restoration.

I suppose you are right, CapraAegagrus.  Thank you so much.  The chip is so so tiny, that I thought it could be fixed without it being a restoration, but any repair would likely apply for that term.

Edited March 20, 2023 by Sam Juliano

[joeypost]

Do you have a picture of the damage?

[Sam Juliano]

Joeypost, many thanks for asking.  My wife took two photos.  One of the entire cover which makes this blemish look minute.  However the close-up photo shows it and the even tinier tear under it.

Quote

Do you have a picture of the damage?

 

[zzutak]

Put me in the "let it go" camp.    However, I would suggest you do two things before archiving the book and never thinking about this again:

1. Place the chip in one of those small glassine envelopes used by stamp collectors (to ensure that it doesn't get damaged or lost).  Keep the envelope with the comic (behind the backing board).
2. Unfold the tiny flap (while the paper is still supple).

[EsperanzaQueSperai]

Putting the chip in a glassine envelope is a smart move, as it will protect it from any potential damage or loss. And unfolding the tiny flap while the paper is still supple is a good idea too, as it will help prevent any future damage that could occur if the flap were left folded for too long.
So, my question for you is: are there any other steps you're considering taking before archiving the book? It sounds like you're being really careful and thoughtful about this, so I'm curious if there's anything else you're planning to do to ensure that the book and its contents are well-preserved.
Thanks in advance!

[zzutak]

On 3/21/2023 at 5:43 AM, EsperanzaQueSperai said:

I'm curious if there's anything else you're planning to do to ensure that the book and its contents are well-preserved.

The best way to protect and preserve a vintage comic is to place it in a Mylar sleeve (together with an acid-free backing board).  Then, store the book in an area of your home that's protected from excessive heat, light, insects (silverfish, termites, etc), rodents, water (either excessive humidity or direct contact via pipe-burst/roof-leak/flood), and the curious hands of small children. 

[Sam Juliano]

On 3/21/2023 at 9:10 AM, Mr. Pid said:

Is it worth restoring a 5th printing?

https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=395151

My friend, I hear ya, but the issue here is CONDITION.  Aside from this newfound mishap, this comic is MINT.  I have been told by several collectors that even a 5th printing in this condition is super-rare.  One even speculated that there may not even be another in that condition in existence.  The book's grade is 9.0 from a reputable seller.  Westward Ho! In any printing is rare, perhaps the rarest of any title in the CI series.  I paid $600 for it just weeks ago.  As I have absolutely no intention to sell it, I am currently leaning toward fixing it.  I have also been told by an expert at a CI forum that the repair is a cinch and would take 5 to 10 minutes at most.  Thank you for responding.

Edited March 21, 2023 by Sam Juliano

[revat]

On 3/21/2023 at 6:10 AM, Mr. Pid said:

Is it worth restoring a 5th printing?

https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=395151

Largely, it depends.

try to assess what you think it might depend on, and try to help folks help you answer the question.

understandably you may be a newbie to comics or restoration, but you likely understand that grade and restoration have some correlation with price.  And one could intuit that more restoration costs more to do.  
 

Each specific situation is different, so try to be as specific as possible.  You may not be able to provide all the relevant information, but you can probably find a way to provide more than zero

Edited March 21, 2023 by revat

[joeypost]

On 3/21/2023 at 10:59 AM, Sam Juliano said:

My friend, I hear ya, but the issue here is CONDITION.  Aside from this newfound mishap, this comic is MINT.  I have been told by several collectors that even a 5th printing in this condition is super-rare.  One even speculated that there may not even be another in that condition in existence.  The book's grade is 9.0 from a reputable seller.  Westward Ho! In any printing is rare, perhaps the rarest of any title in the CI series.  I paid $600 for it just weeks ago.  As I have absolutely no intention to sell it, I am currently leaning toward fixing it.  I have also been told by an expert at a CI forum that the repair is a cinch and would take 5 to 10 minutes at most.  Thank you for responding.

It is an easy fix. I know someone who can do it using non-restorative techniques. 

[MattTheDuck]

On 3/19/2023 at 7:10 AM, Sam Juliano said:

I am a 68 year-old schoolteacher who has so far resisted retirement.

I don't know about repairing the comic, but I do know you're a saint.

[10centcomics]

On 3/20/2023 at 5:36 PM, zzutak said:

Put me in the "let it go" camp.    However, I would suggest you do two things before archiving the book and never thinking about this again:

1. Place the chip in one of those small glassine envelopes used by stamp collectors (to ensure that it doesn't get damaged or lost).  Keep the envelope with the comic (behind the backing board).
2. Unfold the tiny flap (while the paper is still supple).

This is the right advice. Unfortunately it is no longer NM but I wouldn't risk any further damage by messing with the book. Forget about the mishap and enjoy the book.

[Sam Juliano]

On 3/22/2023 at 4:55 PM, joeypost said:

It is an easy fix. I know someone who can do it using non-restorative techniques. 

Joeypost, I am certainly most interested in this suggestion.

[Sam Juliano]

On 3/21/2023 at 8:43 AM, EsperanzaQueSperai said:

Putting the chip in a glassine envelope is a smart move, as it will protect it from any potential damage or loss. And unfolding the tiny flap while the paper is still supple is a good idea too, as it will help prevent any future damage that could occur if the flap were left folded for too long.
So, my question for you is: are there any other steps you're considering taking before archiving the book? It sounds like you're being really careful and thoughtful about this, so I'm curious if there's anything else you're planning to do to ensure that the book and its contents are well-preserved.
Thanks in advance!

EsperanzaQueSperai, this is one of maybe 400 to 500 Classics Illustrated/Classics Illustrated Jr and J.E.S. books I now own.  Each has been carefully bagged and boarded and are stored in four BCW plastic boxes (red and black, the common popular ones).  I can easily opn any of the boxes at will to enjoy looking at the covers, but I will now refrain from removing the comics of the older issues.  ONLY the re-print of the past years that were bought brand new are looked at more comprehensively and read.  I am a stamp collector too so I have plenty of glassines.  i have decided to have the chip repaired, as many at the Classics Illustrated FB Forum I am part of think it makes a lot of sense to do so, since I won't be selling the comic.  I respect those who feel otherwise at this site of course.  Thank you my friend.

[Math Teacher]

On 3/19/2023 at 9:10 AM, Sam Juliano said:

I am a 68 year-old schoolteacher who has so far resisted retirement.

Speaking as a former teacher, you must have the patience of a saint!