Can anyone explain "Marvel Chipping"??

[Blue Meanie]

Not so much the term...but why or how it started. When collecting Silver Age stuff it's really annoying to try and find books that don't have this problem. Was it in the printing process? Just thought there may be some here who can explain the how and why of it.

[Brazoo]

I thought it was the paper they used, but I really didn't know - so I googled and found this site:

A bindery (trimming/cutting) defect that causes a series of chips and tears at the top, bottom, and right edge of the cover. This is caused where the cutting blade of an industrial paper trimmer becomes dull. Dubbed "Marvel chipping" because it can occur quite often with that company's comics from the late 50s and early 60s

Classics Incorporated - Marvel, DC, CGC Comics, Pressing, Removal, Pro-screens, Pedigrees, Leaf casting, Leafcasting, comic shows


This site claims it's origin is debated, but basically gives the same explanation without an alternative:

Marvel Chipping

[clemso]

I would say it is more to do with the cutting process. Perhaps when the guillotine blade needs changing.