Try not! Do, or do not. There is no try.

I am a sucker for painted covers, whether they be done by Frank Frazetta, Tom Palmer, Ernie Chan, Bill Sienkiewicz or whoever.

I am especially a sucker for a painted Star Wars cover. Which is why Star Wars #81 has always been one of my favorite covers of the entire original series.

I have tried for years to acquire a 9.8 graded copy, but always lost out on the bidding wars that ensued, even when a Ron Frenz signed copy showed up. So I had resigned myself to just not getting one anytime soon, since I'm so focused on so many other things.

I love finding raw books in 9.8 worthy shape and getting them signed and then submitting them for grading. I especially love it when I can do all of that in the space of three days at a convention! I will peruse through the dealer boxes and find a book, knowing that I can get it signed at the same show. There is something just more personal about doing it that way. It gives the book more meaning to me.

But like Yoda says, I generally don't like doing this unless I am absolutely sure of achieving a 9.8 grade on the book. I don't try, I do or do not. And it all depends on the condition of the book.

So when I was at Baltimore CC four months ago with my big brother, I came along a guy who had boxes of books, all in bags WITHOUT backs in them. At first I thought this would be a waste of time, but as I started looking through the boxes, I was astonished!

The books were in fabulous shape, and many of them even were even newsstand editions! I couldn't believe it. I picked up a number of books there, including an astonishing looking newsstand copy of Star Wars #81!!!

I could not believe my luck! I had finally found a raw copy of the book that was easily 98 worthy, and the cover artist, Tom Palmer was at the same show!! What did this gorgeous raw copy of Star Wars #81 cost me, you may ask?

2 whole whopping dollars!!!!!

Flabbergasted does not begin to describe the way I felt on finding this book under these conditions, at that particular time and place! I prepped it for the sig at the hotel and took it to Tom Palmer on the last day of the show. It was thrilling to watch him sign the painted cover that I love so much!!

The book just got back in my hands, and Yoda's words of wisdom are still ringing in my head.

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