Non-Restorative Techniques

[nycjadie]

I’ve been playing around with non-restorative techniques on some dollar books I purchased, which are probably not worth a press before grading. I am using a roller tool, eraser, bone folder, and recently, a small amount of steam exposure. While not perfect, it has definitely improved my ability to prep books for CGC grading, save some money on pressing, and improve books overall, with just a minute or two on each book. Thought I’d share a few before after pictures. Mostly, it takes a 9.4 to a 9.6 on these dollar books. These were never bagged or boarded. Just put in a long box. I bought them for a dollar or less from a local dealer.


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[nycjadie]

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[nycjadie]

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[nycjadie]

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[nycjadie]

That last one is an ASM 378, which went from a 9.6 to a strong 9.8 candidate.


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[StarBrand]

Fascinating.

[IMJ]

Nice work. I've been playing around with dry cleaning as well and it's going pretty good. I've also been thinking about making a humidor of sorts with a heat lamp and buying a press too...

[nycjadie]

Dry cleaning with a white eraser has been a godsend. I've been doing that for some time, especially on those sketch variants. Just a little eraser makes even a mint book mintier. I have a GS X-Men 1 that is incredibly dirty which I intend to clean at some point.

The trickier bits for me are the spot treatments with steam and not taking off color, or applying too much pressure. So far, I've been careful, but I could see how easy it is to screw it up.

I have a press, but no real room for it. I might try using it this fall on books I have no intention of submitting for grading. I've got lots of keys or minor books that could use a bit of freshening up if only to present better.

[nycjadie]

No photos, but I did attempted corrections at several non-color-breaking spine splits today, and I'll send them off to CGC. A few Quasar, which might delight IMJ! And a Harbinger TPB 2nd Print which might delight DBS. All 9.8 prescreen, so who knows on these. A fun, but expensive, experiment.

[IMJ]

No photos, but I did attempted corrections at several non-color-breaking spine splits today, and I'll send them off to CGC. A few Quasar, which might delight IMJ! And a Harbinger TPB 2nd Print which might delight DBS. All 9.8 prescreen, so who knows on these. A fun, but expensive, experiment.

Awesome! If you get any 9.8's and want to let them go, please give me first crack at 'em!
I'd guess from your scans above, one of them at least was a Quasar #6.....

[nycjadie]

I didn’t send 6 in for grading. It didn’t make my QC. Can’t recall which ones I have set aside. Likely the Thanksgiving/Infinity tie ins.