That Dreaded and Downright AWFUL Scotch Tape!

[The Charlton Guy]

So it's 1965, and some 60's Beatles listenin', Ed Sullivan Watchin' young comic book geek gets obsessive about their comics. They are a hard-core Flash fan, and they want to go above and beyond in keeping their Flash collection in the best shape possible. Their friends? No way they're going to get their chocolatey mitts on them. Their little sister? Bound and gagged if she enters the general proximity of the books. So they're probably carefully stacked and collated in a cardboard box, hidden from mom and sis, tucked in the back of their bedroom closet.

And this young budding comic book geek, in order to preserve the near full-run 1962-1967 Flash run in the best condition possible, decides it's a great idea to put Scotch tape on the spine of each and every issue.

Now this was a very fastidious budding young comic book geek, so this was done with exceptional care, and from all appearances, with the finest Scotch tape available.

So anyway, this near full run (starting at issue 109 through the 160's) shows up at my LCS.

What's a Charlton Guy to do?

Well, I couldn't resist this one, it's one of my all-time favorite Flash covers, and it is a VERY sweet copy:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/the-charlton-guy/Flash-155-front.jpg

If not for the tape...:?

At least a VF, pushing 9.0. Sharp edges, nice corners, white pages, no spine wear or even a single spine stress (thanks to the tape), all in all, a very sweet example of a classic SA Flash cover.

If not for the tape...:?

Here's the back cover. Look how careful this little geek was:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a240/the-charlton-guy/Flash-155-back.jpg

Nice application technique, huh? Sharp back cover, huh?

If not for the tape...:?

So Doc Parsnip's thread got me thinking about this issue, and I ask you, is this really such a big deal?

This is a Flash issue that I remember having as a Charlton Kidlet, bought off the local news stand, so there is no way in hell that I will ever get rid of it (bought it for that reason), so I had my own sentimental reasons for picking this one up, but let me ask you, would you pass on a book like this?

I won't have it restored, because if anything, the tape, though a bit yellowed, is still in pretty darn good shape for 42 year old tape.

And again, there are about 30 more of these sitting down at my LCS (albeit, many in lesser condition than this).

Would you snag them?

Or is Scotch tape the kiss of death? #exorcist#

Please advise! #oldie#

[mordo]

CG, I wouldn't mess with it either. If you were to sell it I think you would be justified in giving it a qualified grade.

[AceVentura]

CG, I wouldn't mess with it either. If you were to sell it I think you would be justified in giving it a qualified grade.

Neat unnecessary tape/full spine Qualified VF/NM. I think that would be a far more accurate description than FN- or VG/FN if you had to grade it. The bidders themselves will have the final say on the grade and how they interpret it by the winning bid. My guess is that the winning bid will reflect approx. the VG/FN guide price whichever way you grade it.

Alot of sellers wouldn't grade it. They'd just put the scans with the auction and describe it, as to the tape being unnecessary.

[jaeldubyoo]

I have very little tolerance for tape. Especially on an otherwise nice comic.

[Evil Parsnip]

I don't mind it.. I've become far more of a reader/enjoyer than a pure collector..

[UnlimitedRealities]

Well, I would shake my head and snort a bit every time I pulled it out to look at it. Otherwise, though, I tend to be pretty permisive of defects inflicted on books intentionally by previous collectors in my own collection.

Within reason, I mean. I had a couple old Hawkman books that looked like an angry girlfriend took an ice pick to them, perfectly readable, but probably 100 pinholes all the way through. Not talking about that.

On the other hand, I bought a stack of books that all had the artist, cover artist, and writer penned in at the top of the splash pages. While this made no sense to me, seeing as how the same information was already printed at the bottom of the page, I still see it as a rather interesting part of the books history. I would grade a book like that appropriately to sell, but for my collection, it doesn't really bother me. Too much.

And, at least you don't have to worry about the spine coming apart. Just be glad he didn't use that blue fabric tape they use at the library!

[8thesandbox]

It could be worst. He could have duct taped them to his hands like I do. I just don't know what I would do if a comic of mine touched the ground. These Archies are just too valuable.#bash2#