Thoughts on Comic Book Grading

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[Blue Meanie]

Reviving this older thread because this book got me saying "how the hell could you grade a book like this a 9.2??!!??"

The purple that you see around the edges on the back towards the top of the book is the old "returned books" paint that used to be sprayed on comics bindings and outsides to indicate that the book was a return from a newstand and they were supposed to be "pulped" or destroyed. Warehouse finds during the late 70's and early 80's found a lot of the books that were returned were never destroyed:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Avengers-96-...QAAOSw4HVWCZiv

That spray usually got into the books tops or sides and they made for great reader copies...but IMHO were not collectors first choice to have as a permanent part of your collection. They were always a filler until you got an upgrade. How this book can get a grade of 9.2 is ridiculous

[Adam West]

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.

[B-Lister]

I don't pay for another person's opinion.

[Brazoo]

I personally agree with everything number 6 and suspense39 is saying.

Whether you're consigning or selling them yourself I would also add that comics (even CGC ones) are not as liquid as people might think. You could get lucky and find the right buyer right away - or you could have to relist them for a while.

In my experience "readers" of key issues or unusually high grades are more liquid than mid-grade, Fine or Very Fine books for early Marvel.

If you look at prices in the guide as retail and not wholesale prices you'll get a better idea of how much you're going to get for the books. Storing them takes time and money and selling them takes time and money too. There's ebay and paypal fees you have to factor that in to the sale price too.

If you bought them for cover price, you're already WAY ahead - that's why I don't see spending more money on them - especially if they're not insured. CGC books are still flammable, and not 100% water proof either. In my opinion they are not much better than just storing them properly with the correct materials.

Personally, I think collectables make bad financial investments. Most collectables will not yield the same kind of return as proper financial investments - but people enjoy the hobby and (like gamblers) they remember the wins and forget the losses.

Bottom line to me is that you're already ahead with your investment - why put more money into it? Again, just my opinion.

[suspense39]

archival supplies

So the concensus is that CGC grading is not worth it? In other words, if I spend $50 having a comic graded, then I would only expect to receive $50 or less than I would have if I didn't grade it at all?

Finally, if I decide not to go the CGC grading route at this point what kind of archiving supplies should I purchase for my better comics. I do have a few key issues that would grade high and I also have some early Spidey issues like #4 which wouldn't grade high but is still probably worth $200 or so. Right now, I have them on acid free boards and bags but have been worried about them getting bent, wet, or damaged in some unforseen way even though I have been super careful with them.

get heavy mylar bags (not the top loading one, the kind that fold over) and microchamber paper, i buy mine from comicsupply.com. mylar doesn't break down and damage your books like regular bags and the paper keeps acid migration down, cgc uses it themselves between the pages and cover, i usually put 3 to 4 sheets in my expensive books.

[number 6]

I also hate the whole CGC thing. And I agree that unless the books are high grade, CGCing won't add anything to the value of your books. In other words, you can't expect to get the crazy multiples of guide that CGC books have a reputation for getting.

However, while your books might not be high grade or super key, it does sound like you do have some nice books that are semi-key and would be desirable.

Thing is, if you try and sell them ungraded on eBay, you'll only get a fraction of what they're worth, especially if they are mid- to lower grade. While CGC may not add any value to the books, it might (and I stress "might") help you get something closer to what they're worth. One of the "advantages" of the CGC from a buyers point of view is they don't have to wonder whether you know how to grade or not. If they've drank the CGC kool-aid then they just accept the grade CGC assigns and bid accordingly.

Also, if you CGC your books, it allows you to consign them with sites like Comiclink.com Comicconnect.net. They charge a consignment fee but it's usually less if you've had the books CGC'd. Check Comiclink to see what your books have sold for both CGC and raw in the condition you think they're in.

Also, Bob Storms and Highgradecomics.com does a consignment service for both raw and CGC comics. I delt with him both buying and selling and he's a pretty fair guy.

The thing with consigning is you can't be in a hurry to get rid of the books.

I think alot of it depends on how much you spent on the books. Combine that with the CGC fees and compare that to what the books worth/what you think it might reasonable go for and that might give you and idea of whether it's worth it or not.

Hope that helps.

[Adam West]

So the concensus is that CGC grading is not worth it? In other words, if I spend $50 having a comic graded, then I would only expect to receive $50 or less than I would have if I didn't grade it at all?

Finally, if I decide not to go the CGC grading route at this point what kind of archiving supplies should I purchase for my better comics. I do have a few key issues that would grade high and I also have some early Spidey issues like #4 which wouldn't grade high but is still probably worth $200 or so. Right now, I have them on acid free boards and bags but have been worried about them getting bent, wet, or damaged in some unforseen way even though I have been super careful with them.

[suspense39]

i personally wouldn't bother

unless they are high grade or especially rare. It's just not worth it....go to comicsupply.com and get good mylar bags and micro chamber paper for you good books, it will preserve them. if you have a hundred or 200 hundred dollar book and you cgc it for 35 or 40 bucks the comic is still going to be worth or sell for the same only you spent 35 or 40 bucks, like someone here said look at ebay and study it a bit...good luck!

[Brazoo]

I don't think you or Lady Zod are wrong - but my personal take on this is that if you're planning on spending hundreds of dollars trying to protect or increase the value of your comic collection you might want to use that money for a more secure financial investment.

I think diversifying your investments is better in the long run, and it protects you better too.

After all - if you're spending money on these comics and you don't sell CGCing doesn't really add anything to them.

[Adam West]

I figure I would do a few at a time and see how it turns out.

Also, things sometimes change and I was thinking about having a few of the better ones graded now in case I have to part with them for some unforeseen reason