Discuss comic grading and how to evaluate books
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wberta Posts: 5
3/4/2019
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Yup. Two covers. The outer is a bit beat up; the inner is pretty nice. Is it graded by the outer or inner cover or both? Would removing the outer cover change the grade? Thanks for your thoughts on this.
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Ronbatman Administrator Posts: 2530
3/4/2019
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There's only two staples holding the outer cover in place so you could remove it and no one would know...but why? That is a super cool feature on an old Batman. Usually on old expensive books like this I'd be in favor of grading but in your case it would remove one of the most unique features. How long have you had it?
Jealous!
Ron
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collectibleshop Posts: 3088
3/4/2019
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Google is your friend  . CGC will grade both covers and note that on the label. The interior cover along with the rest of the insides will determine the overall grade, so there's no point in taking the outer 'protective' cover off. It's highly recommended on especially older comics like yours to NOT remove the staples to take off the outer cover, as yes, they CAN tell if staples have been re-bent if you don't do a great job, and you risk damaging the pages or better cover. Not worth the risk. And there are 'plenty' of collectors of double cover comics, especially old ones with big names like Batman.
I'd get it graded, as the interior cover is much nicer (and upside down in your pic). Good luck!
edited by collectibleshop on 3/4/2019
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kds_comics Posts: 686
3/5/2019
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Yes - two options here -
1) Get it pressed and graded as is - it is a novelty, but does not add any significant value in addition to the comic value. Maybe it as $10 to a $300 comic.
2) Remove the outer cover and either sell it separately to someone who needs one (hard) or use for a craft project.
I got stuck with an extra cover that had no comic in Blackhawk #159. I made a clock out of it. (CPG picture for reference)
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collectibleshop Posts: 3088
3/5/2019
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pressing can be risky on old comics, but the presser can determine if it will survive without popping a staple or tearing the spine.
Pressing will not fix the tear at the top, or remove the white stress marks, or change the stain, but it may improve what appears to be some kinks associated with the stress marks, but I don't think that would change the grade on the outer cover. the inner cover appears to have kinks/bends near the guard tower like on the outer cover, so those can likely be pressed out well, which would really help the inner cover grade, which is what the overall grade will be based on. You can send it in for pressing and just ask them for an opinion before you agree to have it pressed. You could also go whole hog and have it restored, but probably also not worth the expense for this value, and then you get a restored label which hurts the market value quite a bit usually.
CPG prices an 8.0 to 9.4 of this at $800-$1600, so you do not want to take the chance of removing/replacing staples and tearing anything else. There are people who want just covers for coverless issues, but if you tear the cover off, then it makes it hard to attach it to another comic without some paper restoration etc.. Just leave it as is, send it for a pressing opinion, and get it graded.
edited by collectibleshop on 3/5/2019
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