FAQ
For the inaugural edition of this blog, we decided to start off with some answers to a few basic questions about grading and about our company. If you have a question for us, please send it to contact@acegradingco.com.
Q: Why should I get a comic book graded?
A: There are several reasons. Professional grading began about 25 years ago as a way to ensure impartiality when buying and selling valuable comic books, especially through the mail. Before professional grading, there were often disputes or disagreements during mail order sales (e.g. “You advertised this book as Near Mint, but now that I’ve received it, I can see it is only Very Fine”). Especially for rare or in-demand books, even a small difference in the grade might be a difference in thousands of dollars in the value of the book. In 1992, Overstreet published the first Guide to Grading Comic Books, complete with a 100 point scale, in an attempt to make grading more objective. Less than 10 years later, the first professional grading service was offered. The idea was that an independent and impartial third party would assign a numeric grade to a valuable comic book (by this time the 100 point scale had evolved into the current 10 point scale), with the goal of eliminating disputes between the buyer and the seller. After grading, the book was sealed in rigid plastic to avoid damage (which would thereby lower the grade) during transfer from the seller to the buyer. Originally, it was intended that the buyer would open the case after receiving it, and then add the book to his collection in its “raw” form. Over the next 10 years or so, many collectors slowly began to decide that they wanted to keep the books in the case and collect them that way instead of raw. The industry changed to meet this demand by catering to these collectors, especially by making the labels more aesthetically pleasing.
So, the reasons why people have books professionally graded and encapsulated have evolved over time, but there are several:
- To ensure transparency and that the buyer is “getting what they are paying for” during the sale of a book
- To maximize the sale price when selling a book; a graded book usually commands a higher price than a raw book
- To ensure that there are no hidden defects or restoration
- To protect the book from any damage going forward
- Many collectors prefer “slabbed” books in their collection for aesthetic reasons or for easy display without fear of damage to the book.
Q: Do you ever give books a grade of 9.9 or 10.0?
A: Yes. Although rare, if a book is perfect and has no defects at all, it will be given a grade of 10.0. If a book has a minor manufacturing defect but no handling defects, it will be given a grade of 9.9. This will always be our consistent criteria for 9.9’s and 10.0’s.
Q: Am I able to drop off my books in person instead of shipping them?
A: Yes. If you are in the southwest Florida area and wish to drop off in person, you may do so. We are headquartered in Venice, Florida, a little over an hour south of Tampa. Please call for an appointment, as our office hours are irregular. 941-392-5223 or 941- DYAL-ACE.
Q: How should I store my books after they are graded and encapsulated?
A: Although your book will be contained in a tough, rigid, tamper evident case, it is not completely impervious to the elements. You still need to exercise care when storing your book; we recommend that your books generally be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Be aware that UV light (especially direct sunlight) may cause fading of the colors of the cover. If you are hanging your book on the wall, it should not be exposed to bright light for prolonged periods of time. It is best to rotate your books or not hang them for an extended timeframe.
Q: Why does the Miles Morales Spider-Man book in your company photo have a label that doesn’t match?
A: It was a prototype.
Q: Why do you feature so many Fantastic Four items on your website?
A: Read Jeff’s bio.
We look forward to answering your questions in the future — send them to: contact@acegradingco.com!
Jeff Mara
