Amazing Spiderman #252 1 1

[AS1984]

I just found a copy of Amazing Spiderman #252 in my attic (I hadn’t seen if for probably 25+ years), and am considering having it graded.  I am new to grading, so am looking for opinions to help set my expectations and for advice on whether pressing is worth it/if there is anything else I should consider doing.  Your feedback will be greatly appreciated.

[marvelmaniac]

Welcome To The Boards!!!

I do not have my books graded or cleaned and pressed, however, we can still get you headed in the right direction.

Things to consider are, are you going to have it graded for resale or for your own personal collection?

This book is also a "Newsstand Edition" which some collectors prefer over the "Direct Edition". (UPC Code vs. Spidey's Head)

Defects - Blunted corners, top edge wear with some denting and color loss, minor spine stress with a couple of small/color breaking spine ticks, cover appears to be wavy with some color loss/rub, slight spine roll, color loss/rub at top of rear cover, 

IMO, as the book sits right now...VF- 7.5

 

8.0 VERY FINE (VF):  Back to Top
An excellent copy with outstanding eye appeal. A limited accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Cover is relatively flat with minimal surface wear beginning to show, possibly including some minute wear at corners. Inks are generally bright with moderate to high reflectivity. An unnoticeable 1/4" crease is acceptable if color is not broken. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. Spine is almost completely flat with a possible minor color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Very slight staple tears and a few almost insignificant stress lines may be present. Paper is cream to tan and supple. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present.

7.5 VERY FINE- (VF-):  Back to Top
Fits the criteria for Very Fine but with an additional defect or small accumulation of defects that detracts from the book's appearance by a perceptible amount.

7.0 FINE/VERY FINE (FN/VF):  Back to Top
An above-average copy that shows minor wear but is still relatively flat and clean with outstanding eye appeal. A small accumulation of minor bindery/printing defects is allowed. Minor cover wear beginning to show, possibly including minor creases. Corners may be blunted. Inks are generally bright with a moderate reduction in reflectivity. Stamped or inked arrival dates may be present. Minor foxing. The slightest spine roll may be present, as well as a possible moderate color break. Staples may show some discoloration. Slight staple tears and a small accumulation of light stress lines may be present. Slight rust migration. Paper is cream to tan. Centerfold is mostly secure. Minor interior tears at the margin may be present.

According to eBay sold auction prices for this book in in the VF 8.0 range there is not much difference between a raw and graded book, raw in the VF 8.0 range is selling for $100.00 - $125.00, graded books in the VF 8.0 range are selling for $125.00 - $175.00. Yes, folks are asking for higher prices for graded books in the VF range listed as "Buy It Now"($200.00 +) but that is not what they are actually selling for at auction.

Also, other things to consider, CGC slabs do not offer any more protection than a Mylite and Acid Free Board, CGC slabs are not airtight, nor are they UV protected and need to be stored in the same environmental conditions as raw books, the differences would be...Pro's - An official grade, Con's -  not being able to ever read the book.

If you are looking to protect and/or display the book, low cost UV protected frames are available.

[grendelbo]

7.0/7.5 as is.

It may press to around 8.0.

Thanks for posting.

[circuitryusa]

The back cover is the biggest grade dropper for you IMHO. The few spine tics will limit you to 9.0-9.2 if there was nothing else wrong with it, the back (all that warping above the top right two screen images) drops you to 7.5-8.0, the front bubbling/creasing (above the word Amazing) brings you down another click to 7.0-7.5.

C&P may bring you up to 8-8.5 but it depends on how well they clean up that back and front.

If it was my book, I'd think of it as 7.0, C&P to 8.0. Using Covrprice as my guide, I'd say C&P is worth it to pay $15 to gain a potential $40-75 in value (most of the cover defects, not spine related, do not appear to break color).