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Comics Silver AgeGrading Help Needed

Avengers #4...grade or not?14060

Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redmisty4me
Were it high grade EXCEPT for the holes, slabbing might be a way to go, but collected wear in addition to that divot out at the top mean that you'll get a low (presumably qualified) grade - the worst of both worlds.

I don't see a benefit to slabbing.


As someone ever intrigued by the part personal/group bias plays in affecting human behavior, I wanted to weigh in further with advice for the OP.

What we have so far in replies (other than mine) is what I call the Bible Study/Atheist Club Effect.

If you ask a group heavily (& in some cases, literally) invested in a certain action/viewpoint what you should do in relation to that action/viewpoint, you will often simply have their chosen action/viewpoint supported in the affirmative.

Thus if you ask a Bible Study group if you should embrace religion, they'll generally strongly encourage this, and if you ask an Atheist Club if you should embrace skepticism, they'll generally strongly encourage this.

In this instance (as I have no interest in clarifying/expanding on my reasons for giving the advice I did), I would suggest that the OP take no one's advice as offered on this thread, but instead do the following...

Take the book to a convention (whenever they start up for real again), and approach 7 or 8 dealers with a polite request for their advice.

A third should have mostly slabbed books on their wall, a third should have mostly unslabbed books, and a third a mix of the two in order to receive what would (ideally) be the best range of opinions.

Listen carefully to their advice, and then make your decision.

Best of luck to you!
Post 26 IP   flag post
The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
While that may be sound advice, slabbing a book is going to cost maybe 50 to 100 bux depending on if you press. Is it really worth polling folks at a convention for that small amount of money? I'm thinking there are better ways to spend time.
Post 27 IP   flag post
Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bronte
While that may be sound advice, slabbing a book is going to cost maybe 50 to 100 bux depending on if you press. Is it really worth polling folks at a convention for that small amount of money? I'm thinking there are better ways to spend time.


As I didn't want to get into my specifics on this book, I'd just generally respond that asking lots of questions is a very good idea if one wants to learn lots of stuff.
Post 28 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
There is a near-consensus on this forum for slabbing high dollar books and Keys. There is also a near consensus for pressing and cleaning before slabbing in most cases. But it's not based on some Dogma or irrational enthusiasm for slabbing. I have definitely seen threads here where the consensus was that the books did not have enough value to justify slabbing.
Slabbing with a press/clean is probably going to cost $70 round trip for a single book. I see three reasons to do it:
1) The increase in selling price is highly likely to be greater than $70. Worst case scenario is that it's not.
2) The book becomes immediately liquid...you can sell it in a few days for near market value vs. putting it up raw on Ebay for 3 months and having every grifter the country trying to convince you that it's only worth $200.
3) It removes your uncertainty in the value and assures you that you aren't naively leaving $400 on the table when you sell it. As long as it's not slabbed, it has no established Fair Market Value. Once it's slabbed, the current FMV becomes obvious.
Post 29 IP   flag post
The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
I agree with that completely. But in a way it seems like you disregard the opinions of the forum members for that of "experts"

Forgive me if I misinterpreted your comments. I just feel that all options and opinions should be heard. Sometimes a novice opinion can be just as important as a professional. In the end we are talking about folks that love the hobby whether pro or novice....
Post 30 IP   flag post


Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bronte
Sometimes a novice opinion can be just as important as a professional. In the end we are talking about folks that love the hobby whether pro or novice....


@Bronte In this case I would even say that the amateur sellers opinion is more useful that the full-time dealers opinion. The dealer is accustomed to having many venues for selling his books and is able to get much closer to FMV for his raw books. He could easily dismiss the need for slabbing because he doesn't have the same need for the liquidity that it offers. We amateur sellers know how hard it is for someone who doesn't own a store or set up at conventions to get FMV for a raw book.
Post 31 IP   flag post
The apple sauce and pudding were the best part... Bronte private msg quote post Address this user
@EbayMafia

I would tend to agree with your comments. You figure also the dealer is going to be in it solely for the money. The average user injects a bit of humanity to the equation because of the fact the book has some sentimental properties...
Post 32 IP   flag post
Collector doog private msg quote post Address this user
Here is a (holed) book that came graded from a collection I purchased. The 2 holes are not quite as noticeable as yours, but do go through. 4.0 from across the street, likely around 15 years ago or so.
3.0 is my guess. Absolutely do it.




Post 33 IP   flag post
COLLECTOR dielinfinite private msg quote post Address this user
Hole punch you say? Seems as good a time as any to post this picture again (not my book) just to make folks uncomfortable



Post 34 IP   flag post
Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Ouch!
Post 35 IP   flag post
Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
There is a near-consensus on this forum for slabbing high dollar books and Keys. There is also a near consensus for pressing and cleaning before slabbing in most cases. But it's not based on some Dogma or irrational enthusiasm for slabbing. I have definitely seen threads here where the consensus was that the books did not have enough value to justify slabbing.
Slabbing with a press/clean is probably going to cost $70 round trip for a single book. I see three reasons to do it:
1) The increase in selling price is highly likely to be greater than $70. Worst case scenario is that it's not.
2) The book becomes immediately liquid...you can sell it in a few days for near market value vs. putting it up raw on Ebay for 3 months and having every grifter the country trying to convince you that it's only worth $200.
3) It removes your uncertainty in the value and assures you that you aren't naively leaving $400 on the table when you sell it. As long as it's not slabbed, it has no established Fair Market Value. Once it's slabbed, the current FMV becomes obvious.

No surprise if true. Ditto. You bring this up; I did not. Perceived core value is certainly one consideration. Okay.

I see 3 reasons to ask for a variety of opinions:

1) Much will be learned before a penny is spent, all while the book presumably increases in value.

2) The book is already liquid & can be sold now; your scenario is suspect at best.

3) There is no uncertainty as to value; it's a book that will command a VG-ish price (or perhaps better) regardless. The idea that it must be slabbed to establish its value is frankly absurd, and your argument reinforces my bias example. The FMV is obvious now.
Post 36 IP   flag post
Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bronte
I agree with that completely. But in a way it seems like you disregard the opinions of the forum members for that of "experts"

Forgive me if I misinterpreted your comments. I just feel that all options and opinions should be heard. Sometimes a novice opinion can be just as important as a professional. In the end we are talking about folks that love the hobby whether pro or novice....

Assuming the above is directed at me & was being written as eBayMa posted...

Excellent! I'm not disregarding anything; I'm merely pointing out that learning as much as one can, and moving beyond echo chambers, is a good thing; there are certainly many experts here, but with a pronounced bias, hence my suggestion to the OP.

You did a bit, but no prob - it happens. YES to the bolded! (All opinions SHOULD be heard, hence my advice to the OP to seek a variety of replies rather than the biased consensus offered here.) Of course, although there are many expert ideas offered in general on the forum, and many that I respect. Absolutely!
Post 37 IP   flag post
Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bronte
Sometimes a novice opinion can be just as important as a professional. In the end we are talking about folks that love the hobby whether pro or novice....


@Bronte In this case I would even say that the amateur sellers opinion is more useful that the full-time dealers opinion. The dealer is accustomed to having many venues for selling his books and is able to get much closer to FMV for his raw books. He could easily dismiss the need for slabbing because he doesn't have the same need for the liquidity that it offers. We amateur sellers know how hard it is for someone who doesn't own a store or set up at conventions to get FMV for a raw book.


It very much depends on the seller, hence the advice to seek out several con dealer opinions; it's likely that a few will stand out as best. It depends on the dealer. Hence the suggestion to seek many opinions, but your assumption is baseless. Do amateur sellers know this? (This may or may not be true of this forum's sellers, but it's especially baseless as a generality.)
Post 38 IP   flag post
Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bronte
@EbayMafia

I would tend to agree with your comments. You figure also the dealer is going to be in it solely for the money. The average user injects a bit of humanity to the equation because of the fact the book has some sentimental properties...


Wow - you guys must be having some bad experiences... I find many dealers to be remarkably generous and honest in sharing their opinions & good advice; I'm sorry if this hasn't been your experience.

As to the average user (not sure who this might be, even here, as we have quite the range of folks), mileage may vary significantly; there are many people here (including you and eBayMa for instance) whose opinions I may disagree with strongly at times, but whose intelligence & thoughtfulness I respect, but a few others whose comments are not so impressive to me...
Post 39 IP   flag post
Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by doog
Here is a (holed) book that came graded from a collection I purchased. The 2 holes are not quite as noticeable as yours, but do go through. 4.0 from across the street, likely around 15 years ago or so.
3.0 is my guess. Absolutely do it.






VG-ish value (or more depending on scarcity/demand) regardless of slabbing or not.

IMHO
Post 40 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redmisty4me
The FMV is obvious now.


@Redmisty4me A 3.0 color touched is in the $600 range and a 4.0 unrestored is in the $1,300 range. If you know the "obvious" FMV of this book then congratulations, you're way ahead of me.
Post 41 IP   flag post
Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redmisty4me
The FMV is obvious now.


@Redmisty4me A 3.0 color touched is in the $600 range and a 4.0 unrestored is in the $1,300 range. If you know the "obvious" FMV of this book then congratulations, you're way ahead of me.


Color touched? (Wha? Not seeing relevance...) Thank you!
Post 42 IP   flag post
Masculinity takes a holiday. EbayMafia private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redmisty4me
Color touched? (Wha? Not seeing relevance...) Thank you!


Well, the restoration check is part of what you pay for with slabbing...and part of the value when you sell a slabbed book online. We should return to the "April's a'comin" thread where you and I are in total agreement. Where your insights motivated me to get moving on selling off some of my post-1967 books before the world opens up again. Before the young collectors have more options for spending their money.
Post 43 IP   flag post
Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by EbayMafia
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redmisty4me
Color touched? (Wha? Not seeing relevance...) Thank you!


Well, the restoration check is part of what you pay for with slabbing...and part of the value when you sell a slabbed book online. We should return to the "April's a'comin" thread where you and I are in total agreement. Where your insights motivated me to get moving on selling off some of my post-1967 books before the world opens up again. Before the young collectors have more options for spending their money.

Not a bad point, and should be included on the "PRO" list for slabbing, but it seems pretty unlikely on this lower grade book, and given the grade - and the holes & divot - not hugely relevant. Sounds good! Ditto! Indeed.
Post 44 IP   flag post
Collector poka private msg quote post Address this user
@MrNotSoNice

Based on pics provided it will be around 2.5

Whether to get it graded or not depends on what you wish to use it for
Post 45 IP   flag post
Collector Redmisty4me private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by poka
@MrNotSoNice

Based on pics provided it will be around 2.5

Whether to get it graded or not depends on what you wish to use it for


Oof! If that's correct, DEFINITELY not a book to have slabbed; even if cracked, that grade would follow it around forever...
Post 46 IP   flag post
I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
There are many reasons why someone should or should not slab a book.

Reasons to slab:
- restoration check (color touch, trimming, etc)
- conservation check
- impartial, professional grading
- realized higher values when selling
- higher physical protection to book
- Graders notes: fairly detailed characteristics of book


Reasons not to slab:
- for your PC only
- value of slabbed book is less than costs associated with slabbing
- can't read book
- can't smell book/paper

I'm sure there's more for both lists.
Post 47 IP   flag post
Collector poka private msg quote post Address this user
@GAC believe it or - cannot sniff the book (some ppl like the smell of the old paper - not kidding )
Post 48 IP   flag post
I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
@MrNotSoNice An Avengers 4 CGC 2.5 sold for $1,130US on Feb 28. Definitely worth slabbing.
Post 49 IP   flag post
I don't believe this....and I know you don't care that I don't believe this. GAC private msg quote post Address this user
@poka Ha! Yes, that's true...its a thing some collectors do. That's one for the Not to Slab column.
Post 50 IP   flag post
If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
@dielinfinite I knew there was a picture of a book like that and was searching the forum. You beat me to it, which makes sense since it's your book
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Captain Corrector CaptainCanuck private msg quote post Address this user
.

Post 52 IP   flag post
COLLECTOR dielinfinite private msg quote post Address this user
Quote:
Originally Posted by xkonk
@dielinfinite I knew there was a picture of a book like that and was searching the forum. You beat me to it, which makes sense since it's your book
lol its not my book but it did leave an impression when I saw it
Post 53 IP   flag post
Please continue to ignore anything I post. southerncross private msg quote post Address this user
That's my book 😜
Post 54 IP   flag post
Secret Moderator MatterEaterLad private msg quote post Address this user
That Sub-Mariner back cover is DISTURBING
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