Black Knight #1 4 4

[Kimmie6]

Submitted for cleaning/pressing/grading. Came back as a 4.0. 
 

someone shared I should get the consensus of the group on if the grade is spot on or harsh. 
 

What are your thoughts? 
 

I am new to this, please be kind in your replies. 

[Funnybooks]

welcome Kimmie
Do you have any pics of the book raw?
 

*Based on these pics and the cgc notes, 4.0/4.5 seems like a "fair and accurate" assigned grade. This copy presents well but grading is based on a technical scale and is subjective.

Edited October 20, 2023 by Funnybooks

[Kimmie6]

I only have this one pic. 
grader notes were: 

creasing to cover

spine stress lines to cover

staple tears 

[Funnybooks]

On 10/20/2023 at 1:39 PM, Kimmie6 said:

I only have this one pic. 
grader notes were: 

creasing to cover

spine stress lines to cover

staple tears 

classic "VG" copy

Very Good (VG) condition

Very Good/Fine	VG/FN	5.0
Very Good+	VG+	4.5
Very Good	VG	4.0
Very Good-	VG-	3.5

A comic in VG condition shows some significant wear, but has not accumulated enough total defects to reduce eye appeal to the point that it is not a desirable copy. A VG copy may have an accumulation of minor defects or one or two major ones. Acceptable defects on a VG copy include: Spine roll, 1/2" to 1" spine splits or other tears, a cover or centerfold that is detached at one staple, discoloration due to oxidation, and a moderate accumulation of water damage or staining.

 

Here's a very similar copy with a much nicer spine:

 

Edited October 20, 2023 by Funnybooks

[Funnybooks]

whereas....for example...

Fine (FN) condition

Fine/Very Fine	FN/VF	7.0
Fine+	FN+	6.5
Fine	FN	6.0
Fine-	FN-	5.5

A comic in FN condition is considered "above average" but still displays some wear. In general, the eye appeal is somewhat reduced due to either an accumulation of minor defects or one or two moderate defects. Acceptable defects on a FN copy include: Slight spine roll, a moderate accumulation of spine stresses that may break color, a spine split of less than 1/2", minor water spotting or residue (less than the size of a dime), an impacted corner, and moderate foxing.

 

[Kimmie6]

Ok seems a bit more clear now. My Dad would have been quite dismayed by the grade. We had just started the process of packing them up for grading when he got sick and passed away. He waited his entire life to do it,  84 years old. I didn’t get it done in time. So now here I am trying to learn and figure out how y’all do this stuff & what path to take going forward. It is quite interesting and I appreciate such an amazing response with details. Thank you so much 

[Funnybooks]

sorry about the passing of your dad. I hope undergoing this process helps you feel connected to him.
If you have the time and inclination, stay in this thread and follow along with other books that have been posted or will be posted and you will learn/improve how to grade. The forum is full of terrific collectors  who also happen to be very knowledgeable and generous about grading.

[zzutak]

Kimmie, I think a slight reset of expectations may be in order. 

The average used comic book from the 1950s (the Atomic Age) has a condition grade of about 4.0.  Your father was apparently a bit older than the "typical" off-the-rack buyer (in the 1950s, most comics were purchased by 8~12 year old pre-teens).  This argues for slightly better-than-average condition grades.  On the other hand, your father obviously loved his comics -- a sentimental attachment that generally develops from reading/handling them (and keeping them close for some 65~70 years).  More handling generally leads to more blemishes/defects.  So expect most of your father's treasures to come back from Sarasota with grades in the 4.0~5.0 range.  6.0 and better comics from the 1950s are actually quite rare; a 6.0 is typically a clean, bright, and tight book with only slight wear at the corners and edges -- not a book with multiple color-breaking creases or significant stains.  Examples attached (clickable thumbnails).

Losing a parent is never easy.  Hang in there. 

Edited October 21, 2023 by zzutak

[comicjack]

Looks about right to me could have made 4.5 but presents great 

[Kimmie6]

Thank you to all of you for educating me! Lots to learn. I see more clearly now why it was graded as it was. My confusion did come from being uneducated on this topic and looking at some of the others that came back were higher but to me looked worse. I am learning so much from the chat section  on cgc. Wonderful resource for newbies. 

Time to look at ways to sell some of them and choose the ones I am keeping for myself just to keep him with me. Thank you for the kind words about losing my Dad. He was my bestie, we were very close and I certainly do miss him. Working on his comics, at first was brutal but it has become something that brings me joy to be a part of now. He LOVED his comics.

 

Thank you again. 

[grendelbo]

4.0 is fair. 

Thanks for posting. Glad to see @Funnybooks make an appearance.  With co-guest star @zzutak. 

Edited October 24, 2023 by grendelbo

[Funnybooks]

On 10/24/2023 at 1:07 AM, grendelbo said:

4.0 is fair. 

Thanks for posting. Glad to see @Funnybooks make an appearance.  With co-guest star @zzutak. 

[HighRadArt]

Too bad these kind of replies aren't pinned in the noob section.  Well done.