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Comics Restoration and Conservation

Dry cleaning my comics14022

Cover, 8 pages before the staples, 8 pages after, back cover. MrNotSoNice private msg quote post Address this user
I have a few silver age books I'd like to submit which I think could benefit from some cleaning. This is especially true for white covers like this Thor #135 (could be an 7.0 or better, but dirty. Looks better in-person than in this photo). If slabbed as-is would probably come out a 5.0 to 6.0?

(1) Does CBCS do a thorough cleaning? I see that with pressing "If it is determined that your book has surface dirt that can be removed, it will be dry cleaned at this time." Have you gentlemen had good results with this cleaning? Anything better to do? This Thor does not have much in the way of bends or dents, but is dirty-looking as you see. I don't think I would press it if would not come out cleaner.

(2) Will cleaning improve foxing? Improve moisture stains or fingerprints? I would really like this Thor #135 to be less brown and stained. I don't expect perfection, but would pay for visible improvement.

(3) Has anyone taken the do-it-yourself approach [edited]? How did that go.

Any advice appreciated. I love this artwork and want the books to present as best as possible. Thanks!


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The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
I've never had CBCS do a cleaning, but their pressing is great. As for your self clean comment, pressing techniques are not permitted on the forums. You may want to edit your post.

If it were my book, I would send it in and do a press screen. If they can clean or update the book in a positive way, they will do so. I have had them turn down pressing books because they did not feel it would benefit.
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Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bronte
I've never had CBCS do a cleaning, but their pressing is great.


@Bronte I'm pretty sure that cleaning is a standard part of the pressing service at CBCS.
Post 3 IP   flag post
COLLECTOR dielinfinite private msg quote post Address this user
Before and after a press/clean from CBCS. The before pics are photos and the after are scans so its not an apples to apples comparison but it should be enough to see what changed







Post 4 IP   flag post
The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
Allow me to rephrase that. I've never had a soiled book pressed. Most have had imperfections such as dents and such.
Post 5 IP   flag post
Cover, 8 pages before the staples, 8 pages after, back cover. MrNotSoNice private msg quote post Address this user
@dielinfinite Looks like visible improvement, especially on the back. Appears that a "6" mark at upper left was removed from the back, so at least they did something. Did grade the same though. Thanks for posting those pictures!

Quote:
Originally Posted by dielinfinite
Before and after a press/clean from CBCS. The before pics are photos and the after are scans so its not an apples to apples comparison but it should be enough to see what changed
Post 6 IP   flag post
Cover, 8 pages before the staples, 8 pages after, back cover. MrNotSoNice private msg quote post Address this user
Yes, I see that cleaning is a part of pressing. I guess I just want to understand if it is a serious cleaning and not just something cursory.

Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
I'm pretty sure that cleaning is a standard part of the pressing service at CBCS.
Post 7 IP   flag post
If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
It's a 'serious' cleaning as much as it's a professional service and they do a good job. They aren't miracle workers though. Dry cleaning won't fix foxing or general color changes due to age. It will help with dirt, some writing, maybe some fingerprints.
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Collector WndrWmn74 private msg quote post Address this user
@dieInfinite - first, if that’s your book, bloody jealous but congrats! Second, rather shocked that it didn’t go up at least 1/2 a point in grade by the clean/press.
Post 9 IP   flag post
Collector Broker1 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by WndrWmn74
@dieInfinite - first, if that’s your book, bloody jealous but congrats! Second, rather shocked that it didn’t go up at least 1/2 a point in grade by the clean/press.


Agreed. Looks like a serious change, can't believe the grade stayed static.
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Not trying to be an ass since February 12, 2020. HulkSmash private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Broker1
Quote:
Originally Posted by WndrWmn74
@dieInfinite - first, if that’s your book, bloody jealous but congrats! Second, rather shocked that it didn’t go up at least 1/2 a point in grade by the clean/press.


Agreed. Looks like a serious change, can't believe the grade stayed static.


Between the 2 (not including sigs) I’d pay extra for the clean one and it would deserve it.
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I'm good with splotches. Nuffsaid111 private msg quote post Address this user
Ditto ... agreed
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CBCS broke up with me over Facebook. CFP_Comics private msg quote post Address this user
Most of what is wrong with your book will not be removed with a dry cleaning.

You have stains. No.
Mild surface dirt. Yes.
Foxing. No.
Tanning. No.

Add to that factors like the condition of the paper and the end result could be worse than if left alone.
Post 13 IP   flag post
COLLECTOR dielinfinite private msg quote post Address this user
@WndrWmn74 @Broker1 If you check out the grader’s notes it has other issues that prevent it from grading higher, despite the clean. Just goes to show that not all books of the same grade are created equal.
Post 14 IP   flag post
Collector Broker1 private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by dielinfinite
@WndrWmn74 @Broker1 If you check out the grader’s notes it has other issues that prevent it from grading higher, despite the clean. Just goes to show that not all books of the same grade are created equal.


I hear what you're saying but whatever isues were there originally created a ceiling for the grade. IMHO that means that they didn't take the horrendous condition of the back cover into consideration in the first place. Still doesn't make sense.
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COLLECTOR dielinfinite private msg quote post Address this user
I don’t see an issue at least in how I understand grading. Each grade allows for certain numbers and types of issues. Yes there are issues that limit the grade from going higher but the grade given allowed for certain condition issues to be present without the grade further decreasing.

In a completely made up and simplified example, say you have a book with 2 spine-ticks and a color-breaking crease. The (made up) grading guidelines say a 9.8 can’t have a color-breaking spine crease but a 9.6 allows a color-breaking crease and up to 3 spine-ticks. The book in question is a solid 9.6 and all the book’s flaws have been taken into consideration. You press the book and get rid of the spine-ticks. The book now looks better but it still falls within the guidelines for a 9.6.
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Thank you sir. May I have another? Siggy private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Broker1
Quote:
Originally Posted by WndrWmn74
@dieInfinite - first, if that’s your book, bloody jealous but congrats! Second, rather shocked that it didn’t go up at least 1/2 a point in grade by the clean/press.


Agreed. Looks like a serious change, can't believe the grade stayed static.

That's subjective grading for you. Was it really a 4.0 the first time, is it not really a 4.0 this time, or is it simply a 4.0 whether it's flat/clean or not [rhetorical]?
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