RobHW Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 (edited) Lays flat, still has some gloss to it, staples clean and tight, centerfold tight, probably white pages. Areas to call out on the front cover: numerous scratches along spine at bottom left corner from staple to corner, about 2 inches of scraping along bottom of cover at lower left corner, three-eigths inch light scratch at upper left of issue number, general wear upper left corner, one-half inch light color breaking uneven line below RIC in AMERICA of title, small thumb crease one-fourth inch at Iron Man's left foot. On reverse cover, on top edge near top right corner is a light bend that is one-half inch across and one-fourth inch down in size and bound on both sides by one-eigth inch tears. I have my idea for a grade that I will share once others have a chance to weigh in. Thanks so much for your thoughts and opinions! Front cover close-ups follow: Back cover close-up of bend with tear. Inside back cover view. Edited February 28 by RobHW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scburdet Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 5.0/5.5 RobHW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comicstock Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 6.0 RobHW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahsoka Tano Jedi Apprentice Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 5.5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobHW Posted March 1 Author Share Posted March 1 I really appreciate the grading opinions. I gave it a 6.0 myself. Here is how I reached that grade. At first glance the book looks pretty good, somewhere between a 6.0 and 8.0. With a quick once over I would say it's closer to an 8.0 so start there. Considering the general wear takes it to a 7.5. Weighing in the heavier defects: the scratches and scraping around the front bottom left takes it to a 6.5. And the bend with tears on the reverse on the top edge near the right corner takes it to be a 6.0. I would really love to send this in to CGC with a clean and press to get it graded so I can get formal verdict on the grade. But it's a structurally strong with white pages and strong staples, a very interesting read with a couple of nice first appearances, and relatively low value, so I'll probably use it as my reader copy. It can easily be read and enjoyed without any fear of handling impacting the grade. The grading opinions were very helpful and gave me something to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Elf Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 I think you're in that 5.5-6.0 ballpark too, but there are enough tears and color-breaking damage that I don't think a clean and press would improve the grade much, if any. RobHW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...