small back cover burn mark?

[srh-migration]

I have a Justice League of America #1 (first series) in FN+ to VF- except for a triangular burn mark at the top edge of the back cover about a quarter inch by 1 inch long. How does this effect the grade?

[ninanina]

VF- might be knocked down to a F/VF. Don't think it would have a whole lot of effect on the F+ grade. Can't see much difference between a small burn mark or a stain in terms of what they look like on the back cover. This would certainly be more serious if it was on the front. I guess the only real danger here is the difference in long-term deterioration from the burn as opposed to a stain. Either way, you have to grade it on the basis of what it looks like now, not what it's going to look like in 10 or 20 years.

 

Just my opinion.

[srh-migration]

Thank you very much for the info. I had thought back cover defects weren't as big an issue but needed a more informed opinion. Its possible it is a stain except that it is too uniform and sharply defined.