Thoughts on restored or qualified comics

[Intrepidxc]

What are your thoughts on restored or qualified comics, specifically Golden and Silver age books?

For example, there is a DD #1 CGC 3.5Q for sale for $575. The last GPAnalysis sale of a 3.5Q was $300. The book is missing page 16, which does not impact the story. If the seller would let the book go for $300 would you buy it?

How about restored copies of SA keys? I'm on the fence about restored copies, but would not consider a restored book that had any trimming. I could probably live with color touch, tape, etc.

Thoughts?

[nycjadie]

I avoid them like the plague. Not hating on others preferences, but I'd rather have a lower grade than a restored book.

[Intrepidxc]

I avoid them like the plague. Not hating on others preferences, but I'd rather have a lower grade than a restored book.

Interesting, so you'd rather have a poorer presenting book, than one that's had tape (archival or not) add?

I'm honestly on the fence. I don't want anything to do with incomplete books. I might consider a restored book, but only certain types of restoration. I'd also expect a significant discount due to the restoration.

[nycjadie]

Yeah, I passed on a very cool early Hit Comics GA book last weekend for only $20 because it had a bit of tape on it. The owner even said it was a bargain, and it was, but I just don't like repairs, especially tape. She looked annoyed, but that's just my thing. It would bug me to no end. I might feel differently about a book that might otherwise be unattainable for me. For example, I'd love to have an AF15. I'm not going to get a decent copy, so I might go for a restored, but complete copy, or a copy with tape (i.e. amateur restore). These are just my personal preferences, though. We all have them.

[Aram]

I feel the same way. I would only want something that was otherwise unobtainable. I own one nice looking purple lable 5.0 silver age restored slab with minor color touch (that I got for free) and it just makes me want to replace it with a higher grade blue label and use the restored copy for a wall hanger.

[DirtbagSailor]

I'm not a fan (personally) of Restored books. I also do not like to collect replicas.

I do not mind certain Qualified books however, especially Valiant as many incredible books, projects, and others pre-date CGC get the Green Label.

I ALSO don't mind Qualified books for Jack Kirby for the same reason.

[GGSAE]

I avoid them like the plague. Not hating on others preferences, but I'd rather have a lower grade than a restored book.

I agree a 100% with this, especially low grade oldies that still look okay - if the book's complete, then it's a great placeholder. Case in point, this weekend at a monthly show I dropped about $400 on a batch of books from a big dealer I've dealt with recently. He had a big chunk of a major comic collection he purchased recently (kicking myself for missing out on his keys) that the vast majority were low grade. On his wall he had some G books of 10 center Batmans other DC books - I said hey I wouldn't pay $20 for that but I'd definitely pay something. This was in response to his comment about returning a stack of comics that were so beat-up he didn't he want to buy them.

Another point. For investment purposes, going after low grade (but complete) beaters of some major keys are very, very safe bets. Case in point when I grabbed first poison ivy for $30 about two years ago - I knew I would always be able to at least get that amount back if I decide to sell.

[ZosoRocks]

I avoid them like the plague. Not hating on others preferences, but I'd rather have a lower grade than a restored book.

I agree a 100% with this, especially low grade oldies that still look okay - if the book's complete, then it's a great placeholder. Case in point, this weekend at a monthly show I dropped about $400 on a batch of books from a big dealer I've dealt with recently. He had a big chunk of a major comic collection he purchased recently (kicking myself for missing out on his keys) that the vast majority were low grade. On his wall he had some G books of 10 center Batmans other DC books - I said hey I wouldn't pay $20 for that but I'd definitely pay something. This was in response to his comment about returning a stack of comics that were so beat-up he didn't he want to buy them.

Another point. For investment purposes, going after low grade (but complete) beaters of some major keys are very, very safe bets. Case in point when I grabbed first poison ivy for $30 about two years ago - I knew I would always be able to at least get that amount back if I decide to sell.

Yep - I agree.....a couple of years ago I found a AS2 in a batch of SA readers. It was torn thru the book, but no missing pages and the cover was primarily intact, except for some chipping.

I sold it in that condition for $286.00. Purchase price for each of the 32 books I bought.....$8.00 total / $.25 book.

....a very-very-very-very safe bet!

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