amatta

I'd do the C & P and hope for a 5.0 but be braced for a 4.5

@joeyposthas grading been getting stricter recently?

i would think this merits a 7.5 or 8.0 if the back is cleaned up

6.5

I'm torn between keeping my mouth shut and saying something, but I leaned towards the latter with hopes you don't take offense. If the 181 was my book, i don't think I'd crack it open- or at least I would solicit some professional opinions before doing so. There are a number of other deficits that contribute to the score and I'd be surprised if you could improve upon the 5.5, even with a clean and press. There seems to be the remnants of a subscription crease, which will greatly inhibit any potential upside, plus minor tears on 3 edges, and some staining that won't go away. I do think it could be made to look much better with a cleaning (there's a good amount of "grit" that would probably go away easily, especially on the back cover) but a lot hinges on how lenient the particular grader(s) you pull when you submit are. Perhaps you could get to a 6.0, but I'd personally be shocked by anything better. Again, this is just my opinion and I hope you take it in the spirit in which it is put forward. I've made similar mistakes in the past.

Just curious as to if anyone here has (or has contemplated) setting up their hobby as a business so as to not have to payout sales taxes when they acquire new items, write off expenses, etc any thoughts? I would think those with truly significant active collections would do this - any input on the pros and cons?

I checked on the dc presents 9.8 - the label says “George Perez written on page…”

I'll have to check on it. Your point is a good one, IMO.

I can offer an update on my experience, referenced above. I submitted the books to cgc. They had interior signatures and I specifically stated that I wanted a blue label and to notate that they had a signature on page X. They actually neglected to give the designation, which was a problem since I submitted 4 copies of the same book (DC Presents #26, signed by George Perez back in 1983 - as an aside, he was tremendously kind to my younger self and even sold me a Teen Titans page for $5) but only 2 of them were signed. Furthermore, I think there was some minor damage in handling so the grades were 9.2, 9.2, 9.6, and 9.6 (they had some dents and dings that were not there, as they were sent by one of the top pressers around) Here is the key thing I did: I COMMUNICATED WITH CGC. The customer service was excellent - they had me mail back the books, pressed them again and I got the lot back - 3 9.8s (which included the 2 signed copies) and a 9.2 (that looks like a 9.8 but there is a minor tear on the back cover - which I suspect but can't prove was induced in handling, but I can't complain too much). They are all blue labels, with the 2 signed books saying 'George Perez written on page XX' or something like that (i don't have them in front of me). so, my bottom line recommendation is to communicate with CGC - ask them to go over the notes. If you feel like the grade is wrong, ask to send it back - particularly if there are any dings that you are certain were not there because it was pressed, etc. (I also sent back a GI Joe that originally scored a 9.0 and got a bump to 9.4) BTW, if someone wants to buy a DC Presents 26 9.8 with or without an unwitnessed signature lmk ;-) (I have a pic of the signatures) Hope this helps!

Take

Take

i'm gonna stop procrastinating tomorrow...

I strongly believe (from being very active in collecting at that time) you are correct in this being the direct edition

7.0

9.0/9.2 with a good C&P