Resto..where is the line drawn? 0

[CMW_Collection]

Spoiler

 

Where is the line drawn for the resto label?  Is scotch tape applied by a collector deemed OK, and modern tape deemed resto?  Is a crayon acceptable because it was a kid, and watercolor pencil considered resto bc it was meant to disguise the problem?  Please see the attached photos for example...I have wondered about this for awhile.  

The CGC website states “For example, a couple of pieces of tape were used to hold on the cover, a dab of Dad's wood glue was used to close a tear, some crayon made the cover look better, etc. ... Some repairs remained acceptable to collectors and were "grandfathered," such as tape. Most repairs, however, were defined as restoration.”

Personally, I would think somebody with maturity using their advanced dexterous skills to paint and hide a problem should def be considered an amateur resto.  But what about a kid with a marker in the 70’s trying to make his book look better, but unfortunately making it worse?  

EDIT:  If a “resto” brings the grade down, why is it considered a “resto”?  In principle a restoration should restore, not tarnish. 

 

Edited February 23, 2019 by CMW_Collection
More thoughts..final question

[Tony S]

To begin with, you ask questions that don't necessarily have hard and fast answers. There are principles, guidelines. Applied by human beings. 

Tape has a long history in comic books and there is no perfect answer. Regular scotch type tape - even a lot of it - is not considered restoration. But it is a defect and affects the grade. Sealing of tears and reinforcement of covers and interior pages with glue and or glue and repair papers is going to get a restored label, maybe conserved if not much else is done to the book. It is a gray area as far as archival quality tape goes. Might get a conserved/restored label. Might get blue. Probably depends on how much. Finally, some older books - at CGC's discretion - may be allowed a blue label even with a bit of glue.  The label will always note the presence of glue. 

A kid with a marker just coloring on a book is not going to get restored. it will be blue - and it greatly and negatively impact the grade. A kid with a marker ONLY coloring in areas where there are creases and color breaks/scrapes is trying to make the book look nicer. That's restoration, every day. 

Last, restoration does not make a book grade lower ("bring the grade down") . Restoration gets the purple, restored label. The Restored, Purple label makes a book worth LESS MONEY. Sometimes a LOT LESS money.   But being designated a restored book does not lower the numeric grade assigned. Restoration is not treated as a defect in assigning the numeric grade.  Restoration itself is somewhat "graded" in that it is assigned Professional quality to Amateur  (A-C) and the degree of restoration is noted (very slight to extensive / 1-5) 

Hope this helps. Welcome to the boards

 

Edited February 23, 2019 by Tony S

[CMW_Collection]

5 hours ago, Tony S said:

To begin with, you ask questions that don't necessarily have hard and fast answers. There are principles, guidelines. Applied by human beings. 

Tape has a long history in comic books and there is no perfect answer. Regular scotch type tape - even a lot of it - is not considered restoration. But it is a defect and affects the grade. Sealing of tears and reinforcement of covers and interior pages with glue and or glue and repair papers is going to get a restored label, maybe conserved if not much else is done to the book. It is a gray area as far as archival quality tape goes. Might get a conserved/restored label. Might get blue. Probably depends on how much. Finally, some older books - at CGC's discretion - may be allowed a blue label even with a bit of glue.  The label will always note the presence of glue. 

A kid with a marker just coloring on a book is not going to get restored. it will be blue - and it greatly and negatively impact the grade. A kid with a marker ONLY coloring in areas where there are creases and color breaks/scrapes is trying to make the book look nicer. That's restoration, every day. 

Last, restoration does not make a book grade lower ("bring the grade down") . Restoration gets the purple, restored label. The Restored, Purple label makes a book worth LESS MONEY. Sometimes a LOT LESS money.   But being designated a restored book does not lower the numeric grade assigned. Restoration is not treated as a defect in assigning the numeric grade.  Restoration itself is somewhat "graded" in that it is assigned Professional quality to Amateur  (A-C) and the degree of restoration is noted (very slight to extensive / 1-5) 

Hope this helps. Welcome to the boards

 

Thanks, very helpful.  I appreciate the response.