Comic book age comic book grading company company 1. When grading a comic book, the first thing youll see is the cover. You can think of the grade of a comic book like a grade on a report card. Comic book grading screenshots, images and pictures. Cgcs restoration grading scale is a transparent system that is much more descriptive and accurate than before. Preventative restoration, widely used and accepted by collectors, consists of nonadditive restoration on a book with one or two major defects. A lightly restored book will be valued higher than a book with heavy restoration in the same apparent grade. Grading your comic books guide revel in the detail comics. Instead, the turnaround times will become estimated. The company was founded by alec born and steve borock, the latter earning a reputation in the community while working many years at. Before a comic book is graded, it is checked for restoration and conservation by our restoration detection experts. Grading is an inherently subjective process and there will always be small differences in opinion. Take a close look, ideally with a magnifying glass, and make careful notes of any apparent damage, including. Comic grading is the process of encasing a comic book in a plastic case.
The best possible existing condition of that comic book. When you are searching for a comic book, you need to know how to spot a high grade book. I just want to get the most out of what is probably my best comic. The most difficult, contentious and eternally frustrating aspect of comic collecting is grading. Everything you need to know about submitting comic books.
For one, if you have a really valuable book, it offers a form of protection. The two main methods of describing an overall grade are numerical, and symbol. The scale increases in quality and assigns descriptors to the varying numeric levels, such as 0. There are three different levels of cgc membership, and all levels allow you to submit comic books directly to cgc. Special thanks to our comic grading advisor steve borock, president of cbsc comic book certification service, former heritage auctions consignment director and former cgc presidentprimary grader.
Similar to light tan to offwhite pages, but the edges of the pages are darker. Comic book grading the basics of grading comics superworld. Professional sports authenticator psa is the worlds largest thirdparty sports card authentication service the experts in grading cards, sports autographs and memorabilia. This plastic case forever seals your comic, unless you destroy the case to extract the comic. Every type of restoration found on each book will be individually graded for quantity and quality, with a cumulative score determining the final restoration grade assigned. They also reduced the discount for grading tiers from 10% to 5%. Pgx uses a similar grading scale as the prior ones we have discussed, basing theirs on the overstreet comic book grading guide, which ranges from 0. Bends, folds, or dents that warp the shape or surface of the book, but dont affect the color. Cgc uses a 10point grading scale to evaluate comics.
Even professional grading services like cgc, cbcs, and pgx acknowledge that the same book may not always receive the same grade if it is. In this part two of four in the graders notes article series, we will explore high grade comic books and the graders notes from cbcs for those books. But because i am have a premium cgc membership, i receive a 10% discount off grading for all tiers. Who is the most reputable to help get the most value. Until then, ponder on whether that favourite comic of yours should get the next level, collector treatment. Every comic book certified by cgc is graded by the hobbys most experienced and trusted team, according to wellestablished grading standards. But as a rule of thumb, as im deciding which comics to submit for grading i always estimate the true cost of. Comic book grading company the affordable and reliable.
In it, i walk you step by step through 27 comics at every grade level from 0. A spine split of up to 23 the length of the book, a missing back cover provided the front cover is still attached, severe water damage or residue damage. Discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor to moderate soiling is allowed. Due to the nature of paper, discoloration is expected over time. Is it worth getting comic books graded at cgc or pgx. In these rare cases, a check mark will be placed on the label by the numerical grade. Therefore being able to correctly determine the grade of a comic is an important skill for buyers and sellers alike. While a casual collector might not need to bother, its vitally important to have your comics graded if you ever plan to sell them, because the value of a comic varies widely depending on the grade it receives. Before a comic books value is determined, the comic book needs to have an accurate grade assigned to it. It is categorized by grade level to help teachers and librarians pick the best comic literature for students. The grade assigned to your book will be a number between 0.
When selling a comic, be sure to take your time and seriously look at what it should be. As longtime users of nostomania know, the value of a comic depends strongly on grade. Comic book grading learn the scale and how to apply it. The best way to understand why a specific comic book received a check mark designation is to refer to the graders notes. Grading your comic books guide revel in the detail. Comic book grading labels collectors condition comic book. The primary reason to grade a comic is that there is a direct correlation between the condition of the comic and the value of the book. We accept payment made by credit card, personal check, money order or we can send you an invoice via paypal using your paypal email address. Raw grading labels the preprinted labels are colorcoded using the standard 10 pt. The newest and second most popular comic book grading company. A high grade, like an a or mint, is good, while a low grade. The regular collector now has a bargaining chip against weasel comic dealers who try to swindle.
Blumberg, has set the standard for grading the condition of comic books. Other descriptors used in conjunction with the above grading scale. The lower the paper grade is, the less flaws or other defects that the book can have to receive a grade on the higher end of the spectrum. That means what is mint to one person might not be mint to another. Grading standards are based on the standards laid out in the overstreet grading guide with additional experience gained from our years in the comic industry.
In general, the more restoration has been performed, the less the comic is worth compared to its apparent grade value. It has stress lines on the spine and creases from the opening and closing of the cover. Comic and collectible encapsulationslabbing for quality and preservation. The best grade a comic book can achieve with this page quality is 7. However, grading is an inherently subjective process and there.
Grading is the term used for the assessment of the condition of a particular comic book. In the case of comics in vg or higher grades, the book is already an attractive item. When buying a graded comic, be sure that it meets your understanding of the grading term. The comic book grading companies will offer witnesses, so a representative from the grading company will stand with you as you get a book signed. There are eight major grades in the comic book grading scale. Comic book grading has evolved over the past several decades from a much looser interpretation of standards in the beginning to the very tight professional scrutiny in use by the market today. Collectors condition comic book raw grading labels. In this installment we will take a look at comic book certification services cbcs. For collector and dealer alike, it is essential to grade the condition of a comic fairly and accurately in order to determine its true value and worth. Beckett grading services announced today, beginning february 19, 2020, submissions received will no longer have a guaranteed turnaround time.
Clean sweeps major auction is open for bidding ends june 3rd, 2020. This comic is definitely a read copy with handling wear, but can still be a very desirable copy. How to grade your comics comic book grading labels. Bowed a condition of the covers or boards of a hard cover book. Grading guide pgx comics pgx comic grading services. Egs european grading service halo certification pgx professional grading experts vault 60 day comic grading mcg midwest comic grading. It is very rare, especially in older vintage comic books, to discover a comic in these grades as they are virtually nonexistent. Comic grading professional comic book grading eliminates concerns about grade misrepresentations by providing a professional assessment of condition and quality. Comic book grades are given to a book reflecting the quality of printing, storage, and upkeep of a particular book.
A guide to book conditions the hobbit first edition by j. Though at times controversial, its proven grading system has become a gold standard for those looking to have their collection appraised. Certified guaranty company cgc is a leading thirdparty grading service for comic books, magazines and other collectibles. As with grading all collectibles, there is a degree of subjectivity as there are many factors to consider and all of them must be weighed to determine an overall grade. Understandably, a high grade book is the most desirable book for any collector. As we match the sale we record the comic grading company, holderlabel type and the assigned grade. Types of damage that place a comic in fr range include. Theoretically, the higher the grade of the book, the more desirable the book will be. Originally produced in conjunction with the first edition of the overstreet comic book grading guide, the owl or overstreets whiteness level card is a comic book grading tool used to evaluate paper color on the reverse side is the one or overstreets numerical equivalent card, which translates the traditional letter grades into their equivalent values on a 100point numerical. As condition evaluators and restoration detection experts, the professionals at pgx have spent decades inspecting multiple copies of a wide variety of comics from every era. The ultimate authority delivers the right grade every time grading comic books is the key to successful comic book collecting, and now the leading expert on comic books, robert m. The learn to grade comic books course is the most comprehensive course of its kind.
The scale increases in quality and assigns descriptors to the varying numeric levels, such as. The term grade is used to describe what condition a comic book is in. This could have one major defect like a larger piece out of the cover, a long tear or a detached centerfold. Standard turnaround time is approximately 30 business days or you can choose a faster service with one of the following options. Accepting takehome submissions for all service levels. Aaron albert, a collector of and an expert on comic books, has studied, taught, and written about the comic book genre for more than 20 years.
Chuck rozanskis grading standards mile high comics. Dark colored pages that exhibit a uniform tint from edges to middle. Cover shows significant wear, and may be loose or even detached at one staple. The grading labels fit on top of backing boards, or can be placed over sleeves. Comic book grading, certification process cbcs comics.
There are grades in between these basic grades such as finevery fine, but we want this to be a general easytofollow comic grading guide for the novice. In recent years, grading criteria have become even tighter, especially in silver and bronze age books, due to their higher survival rate. Once restored, a comics value depends upon several factors. Therefore, mcg is acting both as a grading unit for mcb and trying to fill a void in both affordability and availability in the world of comic book grading. Every comic book certified by cgc is graded by the hobbys most experienced and trusted team, according to wellestablished grading. I got tired of using standard labels, cutting, taping, searching, and wasting time. There may be exceptions for comics that are unusually heavy, even though they may fit into the size parameters. If restoration or conservation is found, cbcs will include a list of all the work detected on the label, classifying it as either conserved or restored.
Pgx utilizes the overstreet comic book grading guide in its definitions of condition. In rare cases, a comic book will look much better than the given grade. This page gives you the basic comic book grading definitions and 10 point scale, and a glossary of grading termslingo. Vault grading provides grading, pressing, encapsulation, valuation, and screening services to comic book collectors. Coackling, a bubbling effect on the cover usually caused by printing.
Finally, we gather supportive information about the individual sale including when and where it was sold, how the sale can be identified at the remote venue, the format of the sale auction, fixed price, etc. You then hand the book over to them, and it gets sent off to be graded. Jul 16, 2014 a few weeks ago, i attended a local comic convention here in vancouver and i heard about the new company comic book certification service. All professional graders, whether grading coins, currency, or comics are charged with placing your items under a microscope see logo to determine their condition and therefore value. Originally produced in conjunction with the first edition of the overstreet comic book grading guide, the owl or overstreets whiteness level card is a comic book grading tool used to evaluate paper color. The worlds largest collectibles auctioneer comic books, vintage comics. I have been a comic book fan, collector, publisher pocket comicsmars attacks 1988 and graphic artist for years necessity is the mother of invention. This company was started by steve borock, the former president of cgc so he definitely has some clout in the industry. A comic book in fr condition may have nonstory elements such as coupons, ad pages, or marvel value stamps cut or torn out of the book. Mint we do not offer to sell comics in mint condition. The comic book price guide for great britain a guide to grading.
Tolkien when considering the purchase of a book for your collection, the condition and, if applicable, the dust jacket are the most important factors affecting the value. Comic book grading is the process of determining the grade or condition of a book, which directly influences its value. We closely monitor and calibrate our staff to maintain adherence to our established standards. For books that have a signature witness, they are sealed with a special label detailing who signed it, where, on what date, etc. Cbcs grades mainstream comic books that will fit into our holder. However, both make a buyer a bit more secure for a buyer to buy a book or sell a book with a third party, professional grader than an unslabbed comic book. Cbcs has one classification level for conservation and five levels for. A comic must be relatively complete to be successfully restored. The cpg team has put together our grading standards based upon market standards in the hobby as well as included extensive research into cgc grading. Comic grading company has a simple and affordable pricing structure without any clubs to join. Psa record breakers the highest prices realized of alltime enter to win. A copy usually in poor to fair condition that includes all text presented in a legible fashion.
Though comic book grading has been around for decades, it wasnt until 2000 that a new thirdparty grading service, cgc, burst onto the scene and revolutionized the comic book collecting industry. The same as tan to offwhite, but the center of the pages are darker. Below are cgcs grading standards for each numeric grade as well as the restoration grading scale. A grade represents the condition of a book in a way that collectors can understand.
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