Comic Grading Question

[yanksfan0134]

Hey guys! I'm not really a big comic collector but I happened to come across an Action Comic #252 (super girls 1st appearance) and I'm thinking of getting it graded to keep it protected but at the same time, increase the value. What exactly should I look for to get a decent grade. I've never gotten into grading a comic before so I am completely clueless. I can post a picture of it tomorrow when I get a chance but any help would be greatly appreciated!

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv356/yanksfan0134/20141021_182612_zps3wmsdiee.jpg (http://s699.photobucket.com/user/yanksfan0134/media/20141021_182612_zps3wmsdiee.jpg.html)
http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv356/yanksfan0134/20141021_182620_zpse3dztfww.jpg (http://s699.photobucket.com/user/yanksfan0134/media/20141021_182620_zpse3dztfww.jpg.html)
http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv356/yanksfan0134/20141021_182627_zpshe1bd6is.jpg (http://s699.photobucket.com/user/yanksfan0134/media/20141021_182627_zpshe1bd6is.jpg.html)
http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv356/yanksfan0134/20141021_182637_zpsjtzfpjvm.jpg (http://s699.photobucket.com/user/yanksfan0134/media/20141021_182637_zpsjtzfpjvm.jpg.html)
http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv356/yanksfan0134/20141021_182645_zpss1i8xpwl.jpg (http://s699.photobucket.com/user/yanksfan0134/media/20141021_182645_zpss1i8xpwl.jpg.html)

[21Pittsburgh58]

The spine is a good place to start. Are there any 'ticks', which are small stress marks on the spine. Then, are there any bends or creases on the front, back and pages in between? Are the pages themselves white, slightly off-white or yellow?

I'm sure a fellow Comic Book Junkie can steer you to a link that gives more precise info on grading (Overstreet I think it is). I'll check back tomorrow to see what else has been said here.

[izybone]

FREE-BIGS: the FREE Examples-Based Internet Grading tool (http://www.e-bigs.net/freetool.php)

http://www.blowoutcards.com/forums/comicbookjunkie/316059-indys-comic-grading-guide.html

Browse those links to get you started.
Accurate grading of books is the MOST important aspect of buying and selling. The more you see and do it, the better you will become.
Some advice from me; Be very methodical and strict on grading.

[21Pittsburgh58]

Izybone comes through!

[yanksfan0134]

OP updated with pics. What do you guys think it would grade????????

[Carrbeaz]

While the spine is rough, the rest of the book looks surprisingly well. This book would benefit from a press and my guess would be 2.5-3.5 on grade. Maybe a 4.0.

[John91C]

I would not grade...it would probably be around a 2.5-3.

[Carrbeaz]

I would not grade...it would probably be around a 2.5-3.

I disagree. This is quite a key book and should be graded if only to reassure buyers there is no restoration.

[izybone]

I'll take a closer when I get home from work.
Question though; Is that like 5% of the cover cut straight out at the bottom? Also, are the staples attached? Is the cover loose?

[John91C]

the staples look rusted to me...that would be a HUGE grade loss. Also just because it's a key doesn't always mean it should be graded. I personally would not preserve a 1.5-2.5 book unless it's a HUGE key like GSX, ASM 1, etc.

[IndySportsCards]

With a SuperGirl TV show in the works, it's definitely one that could benefit for resale by grading INHO.. but yeah, max grade would be 3.5ish and I would also have it pressed first. I can help you with that if you're interested, just PM me.

[yanksfan0134]

I'll take a closer when I get home from work.
Question though; Is that like 5% of the cover cut straight out at the bottom? Also, are the staples attached? Is the cover loose?

No its not cut off. It's the way the picture is taken. The staples are attached but the cover is a little loose

[yanksfan0134]

Also, to everyone, would it benefit getting slabbed in general even if it's a 2 or 3? Ungraded it's worth about 300ish and if I slab it, it'll at least have a good amount of protection.

[izybone]

My opinion is book is a 2.5-3.0. It could definitely benefit from a press. Maybe helping it a 1/2 point. So a 3.5 after-press.

Action Comics 252 1st Supergirl CGC 3 5 Off White Pgs | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Action-Comics-252-1st-Supergirl-CGC-3-5-OFF-WHITE-Pgs-/380988051691?pt=US_Comic_Books&hash=item58b4a850eb)

Action Comics 252 CGC 3 5 Silver Age Key DC Comic 1st Appearance Super Girl L K | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Action-Comics-252-CGC-3-5-Silver-Age-Key-DC-Comic-1st-Appearance-Super-Girl-L-K-/301264631513?pt=US_Comic_Books&hash=item4624c576d9&nma=true&si=Mg%252FAbaFHobjD%252BKjb2vNsMaN06OI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

The best offer accepted on that second link was $960.
I'd grade it, personally. If at least to know there is no restoration on it.

Nice book, btw. :)!

[yanksfan0134]

My opinion is book is a 2.5-3.0. It could definitely benefit from a press. Maybe helping it a 1/2 point. So a 3.5 after-press.

Action Comics 252 1st Supergirl CGC 3 5 Off White Pgs | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Action-Comics-252-1st-Supergirl-CGC-3-5-OFF-WHITE-Pgs-/380988051691?pt=US_Comic_Books&hash=item58b4a850eb)

Action Comics 252 CGC 3 5 Silver Age Key DC Comic 1st Appearance Super Girl L K | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Action-Comics-252-CGC-3-5-Silver-Age-Key-DC-Comic-1st-Appearance-Super-Girl-L-K-/301264631513?pt=US_Comic_Books&hash=item4624c576d9&nma=true&si=Mg%252FAbaFHobjD%252BKjb2vNsMaN06OI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

The best offer accepted on that second link was $960.
I'd grade it, personally. If at least to know there is no restoration on it.

Nice book, btw. :)!
Thanks, I really appreciate the help. I'll probably end grading it, especially if I even have an on chance of it coming back being worth twice as much. If not, at least it's well protected. Now the question is, how much does it usually run to grade something like this

[IndySportsCards]

Thanks, I really appreciate the help. I'll probably end grading it, especially if I even have an on chance of it coming back being worth twice as much. If not, at least it's well protected. Now the question is, how much does it usually run to grade something like this

CGC lists their fees here (http://www.cgccomics.com/services/Services.aspx) to give you an idea.

[John91C]

Thanks, I really appreciate the help. I'll probably end grading it, especially if I even have an on chance of it coming back being worth twice as much. If not, at least it's well protected. Now the question is, how much does it usually run to grade something like this

It might be more economical to go through a 3rd party grader (Indy) if you don't have a membership.

If you don't grade a ton of comics it's not advantageous to get a membership. You would have to get either the standard or express depending on how much insurance/value you put on the comic. You also have to pay for insurance both ways and mailing fees. This can get quite expensive for just one book.

[rw0926]

Nice comic, damn why can't I find good ones like these :)!

[IndySportsCards]

Nice comic, damn why can't I find good ones like these :)!

I see them at shows every once in a while. It can still be found, it's just never cheap.

[rw0926]

I see them at shows every once in a while. It can still be found, it's just never cheap.

Aint that the truth, problem for me is here in Toronto we don't get too many shows. There's really only one I know of and this year will be my first attending.