Thoughts on Comic Book Grading

[Mr.Marion]

Keep in mind that this is a comic collection that I built over years not realizing that some of these comics are worth some money. The money I have into most of them isn't much more than cover price with a few exceptions so any money placed into grading would be the only real cost in them.

If you're selling them on eBay, it does matter if you sold many books before. Check the sold prices and compare them to what you have and what you want to get for the issues you want to part with. As a buyer I never assume an ungraded book is over 7.0
That keeps me from getting burned like so many other buyers who will blindly bid because the seller says it a 9.2
Hope that helps.

[WannabeMego]

I think getting them graded now for later is fine and makes sense.

I'd focus on your 'High' Value and 'High' Graded Copies so to maximize your cost into the book getting graded.

Ebay is a good source, but like many have said previously, there is a strong speculators market, so I wouldn't jump on 'recently' hot books to be graded unless you are selling them now...stick with the well known, established, desired books.

Even if you don't CGC now, invest in good archival supplies for those desired books (Mylar, Acid-Free Boards, Archival Tissues)

To brush up on your Grading before submitting to CGC, I'd get...

...the Latest The Overstreet Guide to Grading Comics: http://gemstonepub.com/-the-overstre...grading-comics
...the Latest OEL card: http://gemstonepub.com/owl-card

...or you can use these references as a starter:

http://comicspriceguide.com/comic-book-grading

http://www.milehighcomics.com/information/grade.html

I'm in the process of 'purging' my own collection 'back-to-basics' and may be in the position to get rid of a lot of those 'speculator' key issues myself...just not quiet there yet...but my logic is that whatever money I get now from them I can invest into back issues of series I want to keep.

Good Luck.

[madmarva]

It really comes down to what you want to do. Do you see value in getting it graded? If so, do it.

But personally, I would not do it unless you were serious about selling them now, or in unless you are wanting to do it to make it easier for your family if they wanted to sell them individually on eBay, after you pass.

But if you think they would just sell them in one batch to a dealer, having them graded probably would not make the books that much more desirable.
Those books are desirable whether they are graded or not.

And as others have stated, it really doesn't make sense to have a book graded unless it is at least in fine condition, probably very fine. Someone who collects graded books aren't going want a book in less than fine and those looking for the lower grades are wanting to find less expensive books so they aren't as likely to go for a graded book that the seller will want a premium for.

I do know some will have rough golden-age or silver-age keys graded in hopes of preserving a book from falling apart. Doesn't make sense to me. You could do the same with Mylar and an acid-free board for a lot less money.

As a collector, I avoid buying graded books because the seller usually wants a premium. But, I know collectors who only buy graded books.

So it really gets back to what would please you.

With so many getting keys graded, I can imagine a day where ungraded keys might end up being more desirable. Sounds crazy, but I remember a time when it sounded crazy to take a comic and encase it in plastic so that you could never read or even look at the guts of it again.

[Blue Meanie]

It really comes down to what you want to do. Do you see value in getting it graded? If so, do it.

To date I am in the process of getting 5 books graded. They will not end up in my collection. These are strictly to sell. Three of the five are modern age books: Lucifer #1 from the mini series, Preacher #1, Amazing Spider-Man #300. The one that will probably grade the lowest will most likely be Amazing 300. Even if I get an 8.5 it doesn't bother me. Paid 50 cents for it from a collection I bought. The Lucifer 1 and Preacher 1 are basically selling the book while the interest is at a high. Again, a 9.6 would be great and 9.8 would have me over the moon because then we are talking about $$$$.

I'm also getting a Killing Joke graded because I have the hardcover and if I want to read the story again I can always break out the hardcover. I really have no attachment to the issue. The 5th book I am having graded is, again, a book I paid 50 cents for. Marvel Team-Up #54. Second Byrne art for Marvel. Reason why I am getting this one graded is that it was a collection purchase, I have one in the personal collection that will not get graded and is in similar condition, and I really want to see how high a grade it can get. I would be extremely disappointed if it didn't get a 9.6. It's that clean.

I will get a book graded to sell. A graded book will NEVER be in my personal collection. I personally don't see the point in not being able to look through my books again that are in my personal collection.

With so many getting keys graded, I can imagine a day where ungraded keys might end up being more desirable. Sounds crazy, but I remember a time when it sounded crazy to take a comic and encase it in plastic so that you could never read or even look at the guts of it again.

It's funny you should say this because it is something that has happened with The Beatles Butcher Sleeve Cover for Yesterday and Today. Unpeeled covers are starting to go for more than peeled covers these days. I can definitely see it happening with ungraded key issues.

The bottom line is this...if someone wants to give me $$$ for a book that is graded and I can oblige them I will, I had a friend just the other day sell a Detecive #1 from the DC New 52 line for $180. He paid $3 for it brand new and spent about 25 getting it graded. I'd trade a $28 total for a book for $180 Sold any day of the week. Anyone would be a fool not to. To anyone thinking about doing it strictly to re-sell...do your research first. Make sure that you can get at least $100 or more selling price for a book before grading it. I see a lot of books that sell on ebay that are graded at 9.6 or better get $25 - $35 because there was no significance to the book. This is more for Modern Age books than for anything Bronze Age or before. All that being said...I can tell you that a graded book would NEVER!!! be in my personal collection.

[madmarva]

To date I am in the process of getting 5 books graded. They will not end up in my collection. These are strictly to sell. Three of the five are modern age books: Lucifer #1 from the mini series, Preacher #1, Amazing Spider-Man #300. The one that will probably grade the lowest will most likely be Amazing 300. Even if I get an 8.5 it doesn't bother me. Paid 50 cents for it from a collection I bought. The Lucifer 1 and Preacher 1 are basically selling the book while the interest is at a high. Again, a 9.6 would be great and 9.8 would have me over the moon because then we are talking about $$$$.

If you're selling high-grade comics, I think in this market, getting it graded is smart. I also think if you're buying high-grade comics, getting a graded copy is wise. Many if not most keys from the silver-age through now have been reprinted. So there are other options for reading the comic.

My personal collection is mostly Vg to fair on silver and golden-age comics, stuff I didn't buy off the rack. I'd rather have 10 good condition comics than one near mint one, but I'm buying to read and own not to invest and sell. I've bought some graded books but only when they were the least expensive option. I like Christmas-themed comics. I found a graded copy of Action Comics 117 in fair condition last November and bought it because it was the cheapest copy I had seen on eBay in about a year and a half.

But the cool thing about comics is that everyone can collect however they want.