Grading in 1976

[jaeldubyoo]

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/4633/cdreamzz3.jpg

Here’s a blast from the past, a fanzine from 1976, Collector’s Dream. Anybody remember this one? Only 30 cents! What I find most interesting in this fanzine is the article, “Towards a Uniform System of Comic Grading.” The grading system utilizes a 100 point system for grading.

PRISTINE MINT: 100
MINT: 95-99
ABOUT NEAR MINT: 80-89
VERY FINE: 70-79
AOUT VERY FINE: 60-69
FINE: 50-59
ABOUT FINE: 40-49
VERY GOOD: 30-39
ABOUT VERY GOOD: 20-29
GOOD: 10-19
ABOUT GOOD: 1-9
FAIR: BELOW ZERO
POOR: WELL BELOW ZERO

As I recall, Overstreet used a similar 100 point scale in the OPG. I remember struggling with grading back then. Imagine trying to grade something within a point. Talk about splitting hairs. And what the heck is FAIR (below zero) and POOR (well below zero)?

The grades are described and there’s even a description of one-point, two-point, five-point and non-standard defects. There seems to be less of an acceptance for printing defects and more for light restoration, “delicate repair work with white glue” and “a light touch-up on a small discolored area.” Remember, we didn’t have green or purple labels back then.

[comicstock]

I want to say I had a few of the Collector's Dream issues but not #1.
That was a looooong time ago!

[dhennen]

Oh my God, I remember having that book as a kid! What a great blast from the past

[68 Guns]

I don't recall that fanzine.Where was it published?
Who wrote the grading article and proposed that scale? The co-owner of Metropolis claims he was the first with the 100 point scale? Is he the author?
As far as restoration goes,when I had my Good plus Flash 105 restored to a nice VFplus with the addition of mucho Japan paper in the early to mid 80s,it was suggested I price it the same as a Fine minus by many of my fellow dealers.

[jaeldubyoo]

I don't recall that fanzine.Where was it published?
Who wrote the grading article and proposed that scale? The co-owner of Metropolis claims he was the first with the 100 point scale? Is he the author?
As far as restoration goes,when I had my Good plus Flash 105 restored to a nice VFplus with the addition of mucho Japan paper in the early to mid 80s,it was suggested I price it the same as a Fine minus by many of my fellow dealers.

The author of the article is George Olshevsky. He was the "G" in GT Enterprises, the "T" being Tony Frutti. GT Enterprises published a series of Marvel indexes in the 70s. As far as I can tell, the article was published during the end of 1976. There is no date on the fanzine, but I wrote 1976 inside it and judging from the Santa cover it must have been around December. I don't know who was the first with the 100 point system. All I know is that was the first article I read of the 100 system.

[68 Guns]

I'm fairly sure this pre-dates the Metro 100 point scale.I'll mention this the next time he brings it up.

[Duffman_Comics]

I knew I had one of these somewhere - #4, Spring 1978. I remember at the time rather liking the style/format/contents and being irked that this was the only one I could find.

One of the interesting things in this issue was a back issue dealer comparison. The tests ran for many detailed pages and I'll not post them here, but there is a summary of the results that brings to mind many blasts from the past dealer wise.

Hope the scan is legible.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u158/pwing75/CD004638x812.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u158/pwing75/CDDealers620x816.jpg

[define999]

I love that illustration on the no4! On another note, A ff #1 for under a thousand dollars.... wish i was collecting back issues then, but I was only being born in 1977! LOL

[jaeldubyoo]

I knew I had one of these somewhere - #4, Spring 1978. I remember at the time rather liking the style/format/contents and being irked that this was the only one I could find.

One of the interesting things in this issue was a back issue dealer comparison. The tests ran for many detailed pages and I'll not post them here, but there is a summary of the results that brings to mind many blasts from the past dealer wise.

Hope the scan is legible.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u158/pwing75/CD004638x812.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u158/pwing75/CDDealers620x816.jpg

Hey, I have that one too. Did you notice who did the cover for that?

Back then, I bought most of the fanzines and just about devoured every word. Things have certainly changed over the years.

[Duffman_Comics]

I noticed the cover artist as I was scanning - but the dude was unknown back then.

I bought every fanzine I could find back in the day - but it was a lot easier to afford the things because there were so few of them.

Still got some RBCC's, Squa Tront's etc. Actually, still got every one I ever bought. #oldie#

The memories . . .