skully58 Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 On my Hulk 181, the back cover looks to have stains from what I don't know, but can they be removed from restoration? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony S Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 You need to post up a picture to get an informed answer. But generally speaking, stains cannot be removed with methods that will not count as conservation/restoration if the book is sent to CGC. Non-restorative cleaning removes dirt and pencil marks from the surface of paper (say the cover). Stains penetrate into the paper - usually visible from both sides of the paper - and require solvents of some type to remove. The use of solvents risks a restored or conserved designation from CGC. Paul Kosnik and grendelbo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skully58 Posted April 4 Author Share Posted April 4 Here is a image of the back cover. Tony S 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowGradeBronze Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 Grease stains and red marker pen. Hmm... those aren't going to come off without chemical intervention of some kind. Tony S and Paul Kosnik 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skully58 Posted April 4 Author Share Posted April 4 (edited) Here is the front. is this even worth slabbing? is the chemical intervention worth it, will it work and how much does that cost? Just by looking what kind of grade would this get? Would pressing help the cover? Edited April 4 by skully58 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzutak Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 On 4/4/2024 at 9:21 AM, skully58 said: Is the chemical intervention worth it? No. On 4/4/2024 at 9:21 AM, skully58 said: Is this even worth slabbing? If you intend to sell the book, yes, absolutely. As a rookie to the hobby, your opinion of condition means squat to a prospective buyer. CGC's opinion, on the other hand, carries big weight. Does this copy still have the Marvel Value Stamp? skully58 and Tony S 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skully58 Posted April 4 Author Share Posted April 4 No Stamp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvelmaniac Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 As far as weather to grade or not to grade, this book is always worth grading, low grade raw copies are still selling for $1000.00 or more, a CGC VG+ 4.5 sold for $2800.00 on February 18, a CGC graded GD+ 2.5 sold for $1725.00 on March 10, It all depends on what your plans are for the book. 1)Are you keeping the book or planning to sell? 2)Is the MVS intact? If no, the book will receive a "Qualified" Green Label, if the MVS is intact, as the book sits right now, IMO, it is in the VG+ 4.5 to VG/FN 5.0 range although the staining may keep it on the lower end, VG 4.0? 3)Having the book graded and encapsulated does not provide any additional storage safety, the slabs are not airtight and are not UV protected, they do not provide any additional protection over the use of a Mylite and Acid Free Board and both raw and graded books must be stored in the same environmental conditions to slow down the degrading process, the only advantage of being graded/slabbed is human hands will never touch the book again, is that a good or bad thing? 4)Another alternative, a UV protected comic book frame, you can still remove and touch/read the book if needed and it can be displayed without fear of UV damage. https://www.bcwsupplies.com/comic-book-showcase-silver-uv Tony S, grendelbo and Albert Thurgood 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadroch Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 (edited) I'd put it in the 3.0 -3.5 (green label range with no MVS). I'd value the book at around $1,000 as is. Edited April 5 by shadroch skully58 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skully58 Posted April 4 Author Share Posted April 4 My plan is to sell it and all my comics, funny how the one comic that is worth the most is in the worse condition. Do you think pressing will help the front cover? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzutak Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 On 4/4/2024 at 10:06 AM, skully58 said: Do you think pressing will help the front cover? "Help" is a probably the word most commonly used with this type of pressing-related question. However, the word "help" is totally imprecise. Will a skillfully performed clean and press lead to a higher CGC grade? Probably not, as a C&P cannot remove the grease stains, undo the color-breaking wear, or replace the missing MVS. However, might a well-executed c&p improve the book's "curb appeal" (and therefore lead to a higher hammer price)? Possibly. skully58 and grendelbo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendelbo Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 I think it might get a 3.5 Qualified but I doubt anything higher. Otherwise around a 1.5 Universal with the missing MVS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Thurgood Posted April 4 Share Posted April 4 On the basis of the FC, I would grade the book as a 3.5. CGC hammers the grade if there are stains even on the back cover, so could get to 3 or even 2.5 even before considering the missing stamp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowGradeBronze Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 I don't see pressing doing much for the eye appeal. The poor things been through the mill already. Either grade it as is or leave raw is my instinct. Great book to have raw! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
