A major drawback to comic book grading is that there is a fairly wellused convention that is highly misunderstood and misused by casual collectors or noncollectors. A copy of a comic in this grade has all pages and most of the covers. Everything you need to know about submitting comic books. Egs is the first company that gives you the option to select a customcolored label for any slabbed book. Please note that we can only ship up to 30 books in one box so you will need to take this into account when submitting larger orders. 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. Another grade that cgc implemented in 2008 is a ng or no grade label, that identifies a comic missing cover or an authentic piecepage of a comic. These grading services assign grades on the same tenpoint grading scale used by mycomicshop.
Everything you need to know about submitting comic books to cgc. The biggest and most popular third party grading company. So, our slabs will fit in most graded comic book boxes for long term storage. Raw grading labels the preprinted labels are colorcoded using the standard 10 pt. One of our goals for the new website is to offer an easier online experience for our customers. When restoration is detected, it is fully noted on the certification label. In rare cases, a comic book will look much better than the given grade. Pgx was created to meet the growing demand for professional, thirdparty comic book grading. The accepted grades of condition for comics are listed below.
I got tired of using standard labels, cutting, taping, searching, and wasting time. The term grade is used to describe what condition a comic book is in. This company was started by steve borock, the former president of cgc so he definitely has some clout in the industry. Cbcs is definitely my choice for grading but in my opinion the labels for all companies out there at this point are just not what i want. 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. There is no longer any guessing when it comes to determining the grade of a comic.
A comic must be relatively complete to be successfully restored. Even though youd think cgc should have comic grading in it it actually stands for certificate guaranty company. In 2017 cbcs redesigned their labels, and this article will only be covering the new ones. These records are from an impartial 3rd party source gp analysis.
A high grade, like an a or mint, is good, while a low grade. Most copies exhibit a distributor code written in grease pencil on the front cover. When shopping for used amazing fantasy spiderman comic books, its important to understand the comic book grading system. Grading comics in this way is perhaps more applicable to american comics as they have the distinct advantage of all being more or less the same size. Who is the most reputable to help get the most value. In my last column i went to great lengths to point out all the flaws that were allowable in the near mint grade category in the 1992 edition of the overstreet comic book grading guide. British library stages uks biggest comics exhibition books. Typically the owner of a freshlygraded, purplelabeled comic opens the shipping package and immediately slumps into a pile, with much wailing and gnashing of teeth.
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 company was founded in 2000 and changed comic collecting and investing forever. Back in 2012 or so, i discovered graded comics from cgc comics. Graded blue the blue label for cbcs covers any comic that is not signed. Collectors condition comic book raw grading labels stickers. Buy the highest quality comic book frames available. Very fine is a category we have recently added to take into account the close scrutiny that higher grade books have been receiving in todays comics market. I have been a comic book fan, collector, publisher pocket comicsmars attacks 1988 and graphic artist for years necessity is the mother of invention. Our company has sat well over 600 world record prices selling vintage comic books at auction.
I just want to get the most out of what is probably my best comic. The potential payout on some of these old label cgc comic books is really quite amazing, but it is a gamble and the following are risks you should be aware of. In order to receive a yellow label, the signature on the book must be. We closely monitor and calibrate our staff to maintain adherence to our established standards. May 01, 2014 british library stages uks biggest comics exhibition. Every comic book certified by cgc is graded by the hobbys most experienced and trusted team, according to wellestablished grading standards. Useful tips for this project i am a comic book collector and a graphic artist by trade, and came up with this idea. New labelsconcept design for cbcs cbcs comics page 1. 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. Regardless of what tier your comics are being graded in, there are multiple costs associated with cgcs grading process. The grading labels fit on top of backing boards, or can be placed over sleeves.
We are currently migrating data to our new system and conducting tests, and we are really excited for you to try it out. The grading notes are available here to help a submitter understand how we came to the consensus of the grade on the cbcs label. In these rare cases, a check mark will be placed on the label by the numerical grade. Cgc labels a comic book it has identified as restored with a purple label. Ngc international uk limited ngc uk is the uk affiliate of certified guaranty company cgc, a leading thirdparty grading service for comic books. Comic books are now encased, or slabbed, in a hard archival plastic case to be preserved forever. Many styles to chose from, graded book, comic book and supplies.
In general, the more restoration has been performed, the less the comic is worth compared to its apparent grade value. Grading was introduced in part 1 of this series comic book grading understand the options and cbcss system follows a 0. Additionally, some comics are slabbed by cgc, cbcs, or pgx. The system starts at 0 and goes all the way to 10, with 0 being the lowest score and 10 being the highest. This is an exceptional example of a given book the best ever seen. Comic book frames and displays from the collectors resource. These comic grading services will grade a comic and then seal the comic in a hard plastic case that displays the assigned grade. Comic book grading is the process of determining the grade or condition of a book, which directly influences its value. Joe nerd who wants to proudly display this comic in my man cave. This collectibles shop page has the standard 10 point grading scale and definitions, as used in the overstreet guide. World class, proven, professional comic grading experts. The online form will allow you to easily submit any number of comics, and then you can print a copy of the form to be included in your shipment.
Cbcs comic book certification service the newest and second most popular comic book grading company. As we match the sale we record the comic grading company, holder label type and the assigned grade. Over 1,000 of the worlds finest comics on display ahead of the batman v superman. Describes a book that shows some small signs of wear but no tears on either binding or paper. The first has to be the arrival of comic book conventions. One of the few collections to be almost completely cgc graded and sold. Once certified by cgc, a comic book is encapsulated in a stateofthe art, tamperevident holder, providing superior protection and stability for longterm preservation. Booksellers use standard terms to describe the condition of the used books that they sell.
Pgx was established in 2002 to meet the growing demand for impartial, thirdparty grading and continues to be the fastest, most affordable grading service in the industry. The most difficult, contentious and eternally frustrating aspect of comic collecting is grading. This book has seen much better days and tends to be heavily worn and tattered. How to grade your comics comic book grading labels. 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. Our staff of friendly and dedicated employees offer over 250 years of experience in the comic book market place, and look forward to assisting you. This is a fairly common trait in the very good category.
Cbgc provides the only easy to use, online comic submission form. Certified guaranty company cgc is a leading thirdparty grading service for comic books, magazines and other collectibles. It can also display the importance for key issues or the artist if by an important artist. These books will be certified and encapsulated according to tier, and those grading below your specified grade. 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.
Generally an original book will be of more value than a restored book. Comic book supplies auctionstore venues third party grading. Cgc page quality chart here is a chart of the various cgc page colors ive come across in the wild. Cgc offers a series of marvel and walking dead custom labels to. A nice comic with a piece up to the size of a standard postage stamp torn from one corner. Every comic book certified by cgc is graded by the most experienced and trusted team, according to wellestablished grading standards. Preventative restoration, widely used and accepted by collectors, consists of nonadditive restoration on a book with one or two major defects. Submit comics for grading and signature authentication, no membership required. Simple to use and affordable high quality display frames made just for your cgc and cbcs graded comic books. The notes help future purchasers of a comic book because they notate any hidden defects that are factored into the final grade. Once complete, the grade and label can be assigned to the comic using the data compiled during the assessment and grading evaluations. Halo certification pty ltd australia halo certification. Back in 2012 or so, i discovered graded comics from cgc comics guaranty corporation an independent third party that professionally grades a comic book and securely encapsulates said comic in a sealed plastic slab with a label that details key information and the actual grade of the comic whew, thats a mouthful.
When buying or selling a comic book, or any collectible, it is important that both parties reach a level of agreement on that collectible condition or grade, as this will to a great extent determines its value. Before you ship your comics, please read the shipping information below. Under the standards of pre2000, almost all of these books would have been classified as nm. They were adopted by the bookselling community and are still in use today. In recent years, grading criteria have become even tighter, especially in silver and bronze age books, due to their higher survival rate. We offer modern, bronze age, silver age, and golden age comics. Comic book grading labels collectors condition comic. When it comes to comic book grading services, cgc is the big daddy of them all. Furthermore, every cgccertified comic book undergoes a thorough restoration check by leading professionals during the certification process. Comic grading professional comic book grading eliminates concerns about grade misrepresentations by providing a professional assessment of condition and quality. This article is meant as an introductory article to comic grading what is comic grading.
A book in this condition is worn, ragged and unattractive. Other descriptors used in conjunction with the above grading scale. The cgc comic shop, we are a buyer and seller of comics, cgc submission center, professional grader and valuer,cgc european agent, comic locating service. Below is a brief overview of grades based on comic book conditions. It falsely gives the appearance of a comic having an official grade, but their only certification is the acceptance of their grading by the collecting community. Some collectors consider this the lowest collectible grade because comic books in lesser condition are usually incomplete andor brittle.
Cgc prides itself on being an impartial comic grading service that provides a professional and impartial assessment of your comics quality. We are proud to provide certification and grading services for collectors and hobbyist in the comic book industry. A copy usually in poor to fair condition that includes all text presented in a legible fashion. The grade of a comic book is a shorthand description of the book s condition. The grading label can not be removed without destroying the slab. Raw grading labels shown below with grading descriptions. A fine book approaches the condition of as new, but without being crisp. Comic book grading labels collectors condition comic book. This grading process details the exact condition and completeness of a comic, allowing the seller to get an idea of how much it is worth.
Comic book collectors raw grading label starter kit. A guide to grading the comic book price guide for great. Over 1,000 of the worlds finest comics on display ahead of. Tales from the database mile high comics, chuck rozanski. As longtime users of nostomania know, the value of a comic depends strongly on grade. In this article, we will describe the basics of what comic book grading is, why you would get your comics graded, and the differences between the companies. 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. Sixty years later the british library is staging the uks biggest comic book exhibition, curated by gravett and john harris dunning. Books that have been encapsulated and certified by an objective thirdparty grading service take the guesswork out of the grading process for both collectors and dealers. His acquaintance, a local antique dealer contacted six comic book. Before i move on, however, i want to take a moment to address the issue of grading standards inflation.
Comic book grading company the affordable and reliable. Several events have impacted grading over the years. Removing the comic book from its case does void its current grade. The best possible existing condition of that comic book. If youre looking for a hard to find back issue, we probably have it. Egs provides graders notes on all certified services at no additional cost. If we dont, add it to your want list and well notify you when its in stock. The market value of comic books is partly determined by a grading process. The owner of the book would never know by looking at it, but once taken out of the holder, would see that the comic book would not just become a lower grade, but that has been ruined. All grading is subjective and grading isnt governed by any entity, so these official grades are no more than some individuals opinion on a given day. Vault grading provides grading, pressing, encapsulation, valuation, and screening services to comic book collectors. 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. The blue label, as its name implies, is given to a comic that is complete and not signed. 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.
But only when the book is otherwise quite beautiful, and the tape does not in any way mar the appearance of the book. You can think of the grade of a comic book like a grade on a report card. The 2 reputable thirdparty professional grading services both begin with c use the same scale, but not exactly the same criteria, but overstreet has collaborated with them for their newest grading guide. I would be interested in scans of any cgced books that have page colorgrade combinations not found on the chart for future inclusion. The book may have been opened and read, but there are no defects to the book, jacket or pages. They all stand out and detract from the comic book art rather than framing it in and complimenting the comic as i think it should. The advantages of the collectors condition comic book raw grading labeling system is. By requesting prescreen and specifying a minimum grade on your invoice, you will be charged grading fees only for comic books that meet or exceed your specified minimum grade. Insurance is required on all orders and should be purchased based upon the fair market value of your books as determined by you. The set of terms below were proposed in 1949 by ab bookmans weekly. A lightly restored book will be valued higher than a book with heavy restoration in the same apparent grade.
Numeric grades generally a book receives a number ranging from 0. To grade a comic, you need to take in to consideration a number of factors before being able to assess the correct grade. The comic book price guide for great britain a guide to grading. Comic book grading labels raw collectors condition starter kit buy now. Then, simply register or login to start the submission process. The higher the grade of a comic book the higher the value. Due to the fragile nature of comic books, cgc does not offer a grading guarantee.
It is a problem for books with a spine roll that has weak paper, as the pressure could split the cover or, worse, splitting interior pages and not the cover. Comic grading company has a simple and affordable pricing structure without any clubs to join. Therefore being able to correctly determine the grade of a comic is an important skill for buyers and sellers alike. Cgc announces a new pedigree label and newly recognized. One area we focused on is the way you submit comics and access your account information. To nostomania members an exclusive opportunity to signup and receive actual working samples of our revolutionary comic book raw grading labels to try out. As new means that the book is in the state that it should have been in. Here, collectors could easily compare and discuss grading with dealers.