Entry level keys and collectibility 1 1

[twoseezy]

Opening a discussion with full disclosure about all of the nuances of entry-level Golden Age keys is of more importance than has previously been discussed. The cultural importance of these artifacts has never been higher, and modern price points require one to be more discerning about these nuances on what makes the grade. This way, better decisions of value can be assessed. For example, the recent sale of a 0.5 copy of Action Comics #1 at 408k illustrates the importance of discussing all of the nuances of the book that make one copy more valuable than another. Examples include:

    •    Presentable covers vs. cover missing 
    •    Tears to portions of the cover that remove key artwork and trade dressing.
    •    Writings and other obstructions to key artwork and trade dressing.

Many new and old collectors want to own these unrestored grails and this is the best way to help them properly assess purchasing at these levels. At this stage in the hobby, a clear disclosure and discourse of how entry-level grades are valued by collectors is more important than ever. Informational tools such as the CGC census, paid sales data websites such as GPA, and forums like ours that identify the nuances of defects and desirability of the structural presentation of the book are very important, especially with entry-grade copies.  

It has come to my attention that a coverless copy of Action #1 was given the 0.5 grade designation back in 2003. Let's discuss it!

[bc]

On 9/18/2023 at 5:20 PM, twoseezy said:

Opening a discussion with full disclosure about all of the nuances of entry-level Golden Age keys is of more importance than has previously been discussed. The cultural importance of these artifacts has never been higher, and modern price points require one to be more discerning about these nuances on what makes the grade. This way, better decisions of value can be assessed. For example, the recent sale of a 0.5 copy of Action Comics #1 at 408k illustrates the importance of discussing all of the nuances of the book that make one copy more valuable than another. Examples include:

    •    Presentable covers vs. cover missing 
    •    Tears to portions of the cover that remove key artwork and trade dressing.
    •    Writings and other obstructions to key artwork and trade dressing.

Many new and old collectors want to own these unrestored grails and this is the best way to help them properly assess purchasing at these levels. At this stage in the hobby, a clear disclosure and discourse of how entry-level grades are valued by collectors is more important than ever. Informational tools such as the CGC census, paid sales data websites such as GPA, and forums like ours that identify the nuances of defects and desirability of the structural presentation of the book are very important, especially with entry-grade copies.  

It has come to my attention that a coverless copy of Action #1 was given the 0.5 grade designation back in 2003. Let's discuss it!

Interesting discussion topics for sure but for best results, I'd post this over in the Golden Age forum.

-bc

EDIT: strike that, see you already have.

Edited September 18, 2023 by bc