Why oh WHY was this ASM #45 given an 8?!

[archangel-migration]

I got a comic off eBay--Amazing Spider-Man #45 vol. 1 unrestored--and the previous owner, who claims his grading is highly accurate, claimed it was NM+ (9.6). According to CGC, however, the book is an 8.0! CGC had these notes:

 

Stain left edge Back cover (It's tiny)

Impact dent spine back cover

Tiny tear left edge back cover

 

And they said there may be other tiny flaws not mentioned. The book lays flat with nothing missing, sharp corners, white pages, and so forth, though these 3 tiny things marked a key silver age book down to a VF. I'm not an excellent grader so I ask you all for your opinion(s). Scans can be found here:

 

http://www.ozzyasylum.com/comic/asm1a.jpg

http://www.ozzyasylum.com/comic/asm1b.jpg

http://www.ozzyasylum.com/comic/asm2a.jpg

http://www.ozzyasylum.com/comic/asm2b.jpg

http://www.ozzyasylum.com/comic/asm3a.jpg

http://www.ozzyasylum.com/comic/asm3b.jpg

 

All the the A's (ie the odd numbered links) are just larger scans of the B's (even numbered links). Can anyone tell me what grade this book should have received or whethere or not an 8.0 was deserved? I thought the appearance of the back cover doesn't mean much compared to the front... Thank you all in advance.

 

--Archangel

 

Oh, the book is very clean; the scans might appear a bit likewise.

[Rickdogg]

Can't see much. Are you scanning this through the CGC bag? The dpi also needs to be upped a bit.

[Gorgo]

Looks every bit as nice as my 9.2. I had the same book (my estimate; a 9.0) from another batch of books I bought come back a 7.0, so it's hard to say. Hang onto the book or maybe even try CGG. If CGG's grading is as good as the local shop I mentioned in their town, I'd be very pleased.

[Rob]

I'm not sure if an 8.0 is warranted, but it's definitely not a 9.6. The corners aren't razor sharp. The top left corner shows blunting, as well as a mark next to the left corner, at the top edge in the black section. That alone would bring it down from a 9.6. Then add the defects CGC listed, and yes, it will drop the grade. What people fail to realize sometimes is the smallest defect affects the grade. If you can see a flaw, it counts. We're striving for perfection here. That's why 9.6's and 9.8's sell for so much, because they're not common.

 

No, I'm not contradicting myself when I say census reports will continue to increase. Whereas 9.6's aren't common, the 1 or 2 that are in the census today will be 7 or 8 in the next few years - tripling and quadrupling the population, decreasing the price from today's ridiculous highs.

 

Which is why if I were buying an unslabbed 9.2 or higher, I would need a VERY large scan before I would buy online, or I would have to see it in person. I think too many sellers want to have a 9.6, and even though they see flaws, they think, "Oh, that's tiny. It's good for it's age." This is the reason why CGC adds value. It takes the uncertainty out of buying comics sight unseen.

[archangel-migration]

It was scanned through its bag, though I think I'll rescan it today, out-of bag To other posts, I know that tiny marks can drop it down but I don't see how the flaws the book has could make it less than a 9.0. I once thought it was a sure 9.4 but after thinking it over, a 9.4 sounds like too much. A 9.2 doesn't sound too far off though I think a 9.0 would be most obvious. CGC gave it an 8.0 and I'm thinking of sending it back for regrading though I'm not sure if CGC would changge the grade. Looks like a gem but the gem might have less appeal than I once thought :-/

[Rickdogg]

Post the new scans so we can see

[chrisco37]

It looks like a really nice book. Sometimes it's hard to see in the holder, but the book could have impact dents along the spine that would affect the final grade. What is the page quality? Perhaps there are some interior defects bringing it down. I have a book from around the same period that is an 8.0, and yours blows mine away (mine has a 1 - 1-1/2" spine scuff). I would call CGC and ask them for the grader's notes. Depending on what they say, I'd say you have a definate possibility at resubmitting for a better grade.

 

Chris

[Bugaboo-migration]

I would call CGC and ask them for the grader's notes.

I think he listed them in his first post as:

 

Stain left edge Back cover (It's tiny)

Impact dent spine back cover

Tiny tear left edge back cover

[greggy]

I think he listed them in his first post as:

 

Stain left edge Back cover (It's tiny)

Impact dent spine back cover

Tiny tear left edge back cover

 

Damn Bug ruining his rep with some concrete facts!

[Bugaboo-migration]

Listen, you stupid Tam.........must......restrain.......self.

[greggy]

Shaddup 'pon!

 

OK, I'll end ruining this thread!

[ArAich]

OK, I'll end ruining this thread!

 

Fine...I'll pick up where you left off....slacker...

[archangel-migration]

New scans were made. Just follow the links in the first post. DPI couldn't be changed, though Though I think you can see the detail better

[Rickdogg]

I would grade the book a 8.0-8.5 personally but CGC tends to be loose on older books. What holds your book down is the tear and the stain.

[archangel-migration]

I think I'll resubmit. Yeah, they are a bit forgiving for older books. Wonder if they'll credit me for my first submission or give me a discount, other than the $5 for having the label

[chrisco37]

Yep. You're right Bug. I musta had my mind somewhere else when I read this thread earlier. The tear is what does it. I wouldn't resubmit archangel.

 

Chris

[Rickdogg]

Yup, wouldn't recommend a resub.

[supapimp]

it's got to be the stain on the back cover, i got screwed on my X-Men 94 grade due to "stuff" being on the back cover. but this book looks NM- 9.2 w/o stain.