Jim Baird

I'm sure this has been covered (probably ad nauseum) in the past, but searching both the forums and Google didn't turn up a satisfactory answer. What is the relative impact of a non-color-breaking bend vs. a crease of the same length? I see references in the Overstreet Guide (which as many have discussed is inconsistent and unclear at best), but also know that CGC doesn't adhere to the same guidelines. Useful tools like the "Ultimate Comic Book Grading Cheat Sheet" that has circulated online is also helpful, but references creases rather than bends. Any rules of thumb? Obviously, a 1" crease with color break would knock a book down much more than a 1" slight bend with no break, but how much less? For example, if a 1" crease with color break on an otherwise perfect book knocks it down to an 8.0, what's the impact of a light 1" bend with no break?

2.5-3.0

Too much dust shadow for me to put that into the NM range. Also looks like something going on along the lower left front edge, but can't tell what. Also some bending/discoloration on lower right front corner. From what I can see, I'd be at a 9.0 without the dust shadow, so probably around 8.0 tops with it.....that dust shadow just does too much in terms of reducing eye appeal. If this was an older book, you might not get dinged as much. Others may differ on that, but to me, it really detracts.

I'd go with 4.0, with the potential for a bump with a press. This one is a little tougher than many. I could see anything from a 3.5 - 4.5 depending on the grader, but that subscription crease keeps it at 4.0 for me.

Agree with 7.0, with the corner crease being the biggest problem on top of the accumulation of small issues. It does look like a press could fix that up.

Agreed.....if the water stain is just on the back cover, it will ding you enough. If it seeps into the book (and I suspect it does.....hard to tell, but it looks like you might even see some on the upper left front corner), you've got a much bigger problem. If it's just the back, I'd say 6.0/6.5, but a stain of that size on the back cover doesn't bother me as it would some. If it's through the book, I think you're closer to 4.5.

5.0.....that tape pull is like a punch to the gut.

5.5ish as well.

6.0-6.5

4.0 - 4.5.

Definitely not a 9.8. Hard to be too confident in the grade from pictures inside the bag, but I would guess in the 9.0 - 9.2 range, leaning more toward 9.0.

7.5.....too many color-breaking spine tics and the corners look a little blunted as well. The back cover looks to be a bit scratched up based on the last photo as well. Very solid copy of a nice book, but I don't see a press helping a whole lot.

I have to think it's been covered on here somewhere, but I struck out in my searching. How does a VERY badly misstapling of a book impact grade? I've seen staples off a little on other books, but this may be the worst I've personally seen. Book is otherwise in pretty nice shape Thoughts?

Right, I'm quite confident that is the case. For books that go for only a few bucks each though, it's not worth the cost or hassle. The more like them I get though, the more tempted I am to buy a press and start practicing.

Interesting.....thanks for your insights. That hadn't occurred to me. Unfortunately, they are heavy enough to be noticeable when held at the correct angle, but were impossible to see in photos prior to purchase. After the second or third time I received books with those impressions (from different sellers), it really had me wondering.

Here's a question that I haven't found an answer for yet. In the past two years (since I got back into collecting), I've purchased multiple runs from different sellers that have had diagonal bends coming in from the top corners of the books at a roughly 45 degree angle, maybe about 2" long. Different titles, but mostly Marvel. No color break, but definite very light "impressions" in the cover. Sometimes they are visible in the back cover as well. They are light enough though that you have to hold the books at the right angle to really see the reflection. Looking at them The first books I received with them irritated me. I just received another batch that show the same. Anyone familiar with this? My first reaction was that perhaps they were a byproduct of some sort of display case, but frankly, most of the books that I have purchased that show the marks are common, inexpensive books. Not sure why you'd display a whole pile of them. Any chance that it's a byproduct of the printing or handling process? Thoughts?

Thank you both. The book looks really strong with the exception of those matters. I hate any writing or ink marks on covers (with the exception of arrival dates), so it has a greater impact in my mind, but I wasn't able to find anything definitive on the impact of either on an otherwise NM/NM- book. Appreciate the input! Thanks!

Just bought some lots at auction, only to find that a number of the books in otherwise nice condition have a small red mark through the price or issue number. Attached is a good example.....otherwise in very nice shape. There's also a store stamp at the bottom of the first page. Thoughts? What's the impact of these? I haven't opened them all, but the first several have both.....I assume any with the red mark have the store stamp. Thoughts?

Sorry....missed the point of the request for the back cover photo as I wasn't so much asking for an opinion on the overall book's grade as I was an opinion of the impact of that one specific issue. Definitely appreciate the feedback on the overall grade of the book though. The full back cover is below. I agree that the "cut" appears awfully clean for a chew, but I don't think it was a printing issue and I also bought copies of 62 and 63 in the same lot, each of which also have similar issues in about the same spot. It's most pronounced on the 62, while it's barely noticeable on the 63. I've also attached photos of those for context.

Back cover is shown in first two pictures. Slightly larger impact on the edge of the cover than on the front, but still quite small. Absent this flaw, it’s a solid very fine. My gut is somewhere in the 5.0-6.0 range, but interested in others’ thoughts. Having seen some books with much greater damage come in at a 4.0, I’d lean toward 5.5.

I won a group of Fantastic Four books in an auction and just received them earlier today. I didn't notice in the photos, but three of the books have minor notches out of the edge to varying degrees. I've attached photos of one of the books (one was a little better than this, while the other was a little worse. The impact here is relatively limited (about 1/16 of an inch), and the cover is only very, very slightly affected. Any thoughts on impact on grade? Otherwise, the book is very sharp, with the biggest issue being a modest 1/4" staple tear on the back cover on the lower edge of the top staple. The book has high gloss and vibrant colors. Really nice looking even with the chew. Thoughts?

I'm looking at a collection of about 20 Amazing Spiderman issues ranging from VG - VF based on the photos. Before he even sent me the photos, the seller disclosed that several have been stamped on the back cover, typically a single letter and number. I've attached a couple of examples below. Admittedly, I've never seen this before. Anyone else have any idea what this is? It certainly occurred to me that it could have been done at the newsstand back in the day, but given that it's not the typical date stamp (or at least not any that I've ever come across), I'm trying to figure out how much it would/should affect the overall grade. For the lower grade books, I expect the impact would be negligible.....the question is really for those that look cleaner and would otherwise be in the F/VF range, does this really have any impact? Any insights would be appreciated.