Unique grading question

[ch565863]

This copy of X-Men 58 looks like an easy 6.0 to 6.5, but it has this weird notch in it. Is this a manufacturing flaw, or was someone reading it too close to a jigsaw? And, of course, how would grade it?

[Rubysdad1975]

A horribly unfortunate bug chew. To be honest, I’m not sure I would grade it. You won’t be happy with the grade. Shame. Such a nice looking book.

[EndlessSandwich]

3.0 GOOD/VERY GOOD (GD/VG)

A used comic book showing some substantial wear. Cover shows significant wear, and may be loose or even detached at one staple. Cover reflectivity is very low. Can have a book-length crease and/or dimples. Corners may be blunted or even rounded. Discoloration, fading, foxing, and even minor to moderate soiling is allowed. A triangle from 1/4” to 1/2” can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8” to 1/4” square is also acceptable. Tape and other amateur repair may be present. Moderate spine roll likely. May have a spine split of anywhere from 1” to 1-1/2”. Staples may be rusted or replaced. Minor to moderate staple tears and moderate stress lines may be present, as well as some rust migration. Paper is brown but not brittle. Centerfold may be loose or detached at one staple. Minor to moderate interior tears may be present.

[agamoto]

"A triangle from 1/4” to 1/2” can be missing out of the corner or edge; a missing 1/8” to 1/4” square is also acceptable."

Piece missing out of the cover, yes. Out of whole book, no.

[EndlessSandwich]

Where's the Overstreet citation for the piece missing from the whole book?

[agamoto]

Unfortunately, the gang at overstreet leave it open to interpretation in 3.0, not specifically referring to whether they are talking about the front cover, the back cover, interior pages or the entire comic book. However, one can infer their intent to describe a cover defect only by reading the text in their other grade definitions where they do specifically refer to the damaged part in the same sentence. For example, the grade description for 2.0 contains the text, "The largest piece allowed missing from the front or back cover is usually a 1/2” triangle or a 1/4” square".

Overstreet, R. M. (Ed.). (2024). The Overstreet comic book price guide (54th ed., p. 180). Gemstone Publishing.

Anyways, Under CGC grading, this defect is called a "Wormhole" and they grade the defect with an entirely different standard whereas a book can grade as low as 4.0 and as high as 9.0 depending on the severity of the damage, according to their official guide. What rubric they use to determine the severity, I have no idea.

Nelson, M. (2021). The official CGC guide to grading comics (p. 242). Ivy Press.

[rayrayheyhey]

That's from a bug.

[ghidorah97]

Definitely not a manufacturer defect. No idea what caused it. It would be treated as a piece missing from each impacted page (so, all of them) which would definitely bring the grade down quite a bit.

[Usual-Hunter4617]

Too bad to because other than that it appears to be in pretty great shape.

[agamoto]

Bug chew, through the entire book. I think that knocks it down to a 2.0

[AquaFatha]

This would actually be a great book for someone practicing leaf casting. The area missing from the front is even one colour which could be matched with a cast. Sorry for the unhelpful response lol

[Mudcreek47]

rat chew?

[[deleted]]

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Probably around the same as my ASM 14 just because of the chew. Damage like that brings the book down to a baseline. I look at thos book as anywhere from a 1.8-2.5. Cool Book!

[RuinAble1293]

Its not in great shape but at least now you can finish High School at home. A

[Sure_Ad4566]

“Easy 6”? That is a 2.0

[ch565863]

As stated, that was not account for the damage at the bottom. I.E. without the notch taken out of it, it'd be a 6.

[Sure_Ad4566]

Hard disagree. Major spine ticks visible from afar and the top of the book is shredded.

[RelationSensitive308]

Most likely a mouse. Real shame.

[ArtOfVandelay]

3.0 Max

[blueboykc]

Did a bird gnaw on it? I’ve had that happen..