What is the standard to apply to whether or not a book has been pressed?

[esquirecomics]

Making the Grade - Pressing

 

Making the Grade - Pressing

Superstars, Scoop, Friday, June 02, 2006

 

This week is the last one during which we're posing to our readers in advance of the newest edition of The Official Overstreet Comic Book Grading Guide. We will continue to run feedback as long as we receive it, but this week will be the last that our respondents have the opportunity to put their views in front of the collecting public in time to impact the new edition.

 

We're still eager for your participation, but time is running out, so please let us know what you think!

 

It has long been noted that there are different forms of pressing for comic books, with two specifically better documented types dominating the areas of concern for collectors and dealers. In recent times, this has been a volatile area of debate, and we welcome all sides.

 

In the first type, the staples are removed before pressing occurs. Traditionally the process has included very small pieces of rice paper being placed at the staple holes to reinforce this area before the staples are reattached. The rice paper can be detected with very close examination.

 

The second type of pressing is occurs when a portion of a cover is pressed without removal of the staples. Typically, this is where a small bend in the cover is pressed or small dimples are pressed. In many instances, this type of pressing is impossible to detect.

 

Both of these types - and other, cruder forms as well - are cause for concern. This includes but is not limited to collectors or dealers who “pancake” books intentionally by putting them between a heavy object and a flat surface, as well as those who unintentionally achieve the same end accidentally through various long-term storage methods.

 

The first type of pressing is more extensive and can clearly be considered restoration. Once staples have been taken out and put back on a book, the original state has been altered. Staple alignment has been changed and staple holes have been altered which can usually be detected with close examination. But more importantly, when there is evidence that staples have been removed, this can be a clue that more extensive things have been done to this book other than just pressing.

 

The second type presents more of a problem, but again only if the pressing is truly undetectable. First, the basic question: Is it detectible? If it is, should not then the corresponding defects it has caused in or on the issue should be addressed in the course of regular grading?

 

If, however, the pressing is undetectable, how does one detect it? Do we downgrade a book because we think there's been something done to it or because we know there's been something done to it?

 

As before, if it is discernable that pressing has been performed, this suggests that it was not effective and has instead added to the book's list of defects (in other words, it has damaged the comic).

 

An additional permutation of this occurs when one takes into consideration independent, third-party grading companies such as CGC. This goes back to the question, “If it's undetectable, how does one detect it?” Despite the presence of much passionate discussion on the subject, this question remains largely unanswered. Again, if it's detectible, then shouldn't the defects be been added to the comic in question? Further, if CGC was to speculate and label as “pressed” books which may or may not have been pressed, do we not stand a significant chance that the issues in question will be cracked out of their holders and resubmitted for a Universal label?

 

In the third area of pressing, how does one tackle the subject of what may very well be unintentional pressing that occurs, for instance, in a tightly packed long box of comics?

 

We suspect there will be plenty of opinions on this, and we're anxious to hear them!

 

You may respond to any or all of the questions above, and this one: If pressing is not detectible to experienced professionals and seasoned collectors alike, what is the standard on which we speculate on whether or not a book has been pressed?

 

Please let us know what you think! feedback@gemstonepub.com