*See Photos* Is tape considered restoration, and the affected value 0

[AdRock181]

I have a couple of Marvel Keys and would appreciate any feedback on this topic. 

Silver Surfer #1

The Avengers #57

Both copies have been taped along the spine from top to bottom but otherwise in relatively good shape. 

Does CGC consider this a restoration or a defect? Would it be in my best interest to remove the tape? And lastly, do these hold any value at all in this condition?

Thanks, I look forward to any feedback and happy to be a part of the CGC community. 

 

[Artboy99]

I wouldn't remove the tape, neither book is in the type of condition that the tape removal will make a difference. Both books are less than VG grade in my opinion.

Yes the tape is a defect.

As both books are keys they have some value even in low grade.

 

Welcome to the boards!

 

[Bomber-Bob]

39 minutes ago, AdRock181 said:

Both copies have been taped along the spine from top to bottom but otherwise in relatively good shape. 

 

Regarding your comment about condition 'otherwise in good shape', I don't think so. They are both, regardless of the tape, in a very low grade. Removing the tape probably won't improve the grade.  I wouldn't invest the time or money on trying to remove the tape or submitting to CGC, it just isn't worth it. These should be sold as raw Reader copies. I know this is not what you wanted to hear but just being honest. Sorry.

[davebo357]

Since this thread is about tape I hope you don't mind if I piggyback on it instead of cluttering the boards with a new thread just for this one question.  I just got an Incredible Hulk #181 from the original owner who had cut out the Marvel Value Stamp as a kid and taped it into the collectors book.  Then last year he cut the tape (leaving the part on the stamp where it is) and tapes it back into the original comic.  My question is if I submit this for grading, do I just go ahead and ask for the "restored" label or will they decide that automatically, and beyond that is it worthwhile to get this pressed, or will the heat from the pressing have some negative affect with the tape?  Alternatively would the thickness of the tape leave indentations on the other pages since the thickness of the comic is no longer uniform when being pressed?  Thanks for any input.

[szav]

On 9/21/2017 at 8:57 AM, davebo357 said:

Since this thread is about tape I hope you don't mind if I piggyback on it instead of cluttering the boards with a new thread just for this one question.  I just got an Incredible Hulk #181 from the original owner who had cut out the Marvel Value Stamp as a kid and taped it into the collectors book.  Then last year he cut the tape (leaving the part on the stamp where it is) and tapes it back into the original comic.  My question is if I submit this for grading, do I just go ahead and ask for the "restored" label or will they decide that automatically, and beyond that is it worthwhile to get this pressed, or will the heat from the pressing have some negative affect with the tape?  Alternatively would the thickness of the tape leave indentations on the other pages since the thickness of the comic is no longer uniform when being pressed?  Thanks for any input.

Don't know the whole answer to your question but I'll be interested to find out.  Might be worth starting a new thread ... you'll stand a better chance getting a good answer from someone experienced.

Tape that serves a structural purpose does not count as restoration but they still count the defect in the grade.  This might still get a green label but I don't really know.

FYI ive heard others say you can request a blue label vs the green qualified it may still get. Never done this myself but heard multiple others say they have.

[Tony S]

On 9/21/2017 at 10:57 AM, davebo357 said:

Since this thread is about tape I hope you don't mind if I piggyback on it instead of cluttering the boards with a new thread just for this one question.  I just got an Incredible Hulk #181 from the original owner who had cut out the Marvel Value Stamp as a kid and taped it into the collectors book.  Then last year he cut the tape (leaving the part on the stamp where it is) and tapes it back into the original comic.  My question is if I submit this for grading, do I just go ahead and ask for the "restored" label or will they decide that automatically, and beyond that is it worthwhile to get this pressed, or will the heat from the pressing have some negative affect with the tape?  Alternatively would the thickness of the tape leave indentations on the other pages since the thickness of the comic is no longer uniform when being pressed?  Thanks for any input.

CGC's stance on tape should result in this book being graded as though the Marvel Value Stamp is still missing.  CGC doesn't consider tape as restoration, so you should not receive a restored grade. This answer also applies to part of the question asked by AdRock 181. No. Tape by itself won't result in a restored grade.  Below is CGC's stance on tape. 

 

Cellophane tape (a.k.a., Scotch tape) has been used by collectors for decades as a means to easily and inexpensively keep comics in one piece. The practice was historically performed by children who sought to preserve the condition of their comics to prolong readability. While this practice has never been viewed as restoration in the eyes of the hobby, it is also not condoned or recommended by collectors particularly due to the destructive nature of the tape.

Currently, CGC’s stance on tape allows for its presence to fix a detached cover, a tear or to re-attach a piece of the comic. This would still allow the book to receive a Universal Label and even a possible grade increase from what the book would have been had tape not been present.

After consideration of the expressed views of the community and assessment of the practice, beginning with submissions postmarked after May 3, 2013, CGC will modify its grading standard and ignore the presence of tape if it serves a function (such as fixing a tear or spine split) and instead grade the book as if it was not present. Therefore, any existing defect will be graded accordingly. If the tape does not serve a function, the tape will be treated as a defect and the book will be downgraded. By doing this, books will still receive a Universal Label but the grade will better reflect the actual condition of the comic book.

“As the trusted grading authority in the hobby of comic collecting we feel this new policy better serves collectors and protects the integrity of the books,” said Paul Litch, CGC’s primary grader and restoration detection specialist. “We’re grateful to the collectors and dealers who have come to depend on us. Most importantly, we value their trust and opinion and are constantly striving to serve the best interests of the community.”

Books with tape that have already been graded by CGC will retain their grade, but any books that are resubmitted will fall under the new criteria and be graded accordingly. CGC will continue to note tape on the label, as it has always done, whenever and wherever it is found on a book.

Anyone with questions can contact CGC customer service at 877-662-6642.

[davebo357]

On 9/23/2017 at 11:57 PM, Tony S said:

CGC's stance on tape should result in this book being graded as though the Marvel Value Stamp is still missing.  CGC doesn't consider tape as restoration, so you should not receive a restored grade. This answer also applies to part of the question asked by AdRock 181. No. Tape by itself won't result in a restored grade.  Below is CGC's stance on tape. 

 

Thanks for all the info, but I'm curious where you say it would be graded as if the stamp was missing.  If the stamp is right there, would they not just deduct points commensurate with tape being all over the page, and consider the scissors' path like a giant tear?  When the stamp is actually missing they always put "Marvel Value Stamp Missing" on the label, but it would seem odd to write that when the stamp is clearly there.  Or are you saying they would GRADE it like it were missing but not say that it's missing on the label?

[Tony S]

On the label it will say that the MVS has been reattached with tape. The technical grade assigned will be the same as if the MVS was still missing. So most likely a Green Label, Qualified grade. A "Qualified, Green label grade" works like this.  If the book looks say 6.0, it is given a 6.0. But it is a "Qualified" 6.0, noted as such by the label color being green and the single defect ignored in the grading of the book listed on the label. If given a blue label grade, it will be the same grade that an incomplete, missing the MVS grade the book would get.  0.5. Maybe 1.0

The intent of CGC's statement is clear, though how it is specifically applied might be more complex. A COMIC BOOK CANNOT IMPROVE IN GRADE FROM THE APPLICATION OF TAPE.  

Edited September 26, 2017 by Tony S

[davebo357]

Makes sense to me.  When I bought it I assumed it would end up with a qualified grade but another poster elsewhere thought it'd end up with restored, so I'd prefer a qualified.  I just wanted to make sure even if it's graded as though it didn't have the stamp, that the label would specify it physically is inside the comic, so it sounds like you're pretty confident it will which helps me a lot. Thanks!

[binyomin lipkind]

To Answer Davebo537's Question CGC Will Count It Is If There Is No Stamp And Give It A Qualified Grade.

[davebo357]

Since the thread got resurrected, the IH181 I posted did in fact get an unqualified blue label with a 4.5 grade, so they just took the appropriate amount of points off for the cuts and tape I guess.

[faster friends]