How to Order Back Issue Comics
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How to Order Back Issue Comics
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At the NostalgiaZone.com comic store we have an established process for grading comics that interprets the usual price guides conservatively. First, check to make sure the back issue comic is complete, containing all pages and any possible premiums such as stickers, 3-D glasses, posters, etc. Then, page through the comic book, counting each page, looking for interior problems like coupons cut, puzzles written on, etc. Many graders overlook these critical first steps.
Our Nostalgia Zine has an article on back issue comic grading techniques, it is a step by step guide to get you started grading comics back issues. We use the codes below to grade the comics.
MINT (M) Absolutely perfect in every way. As soon as it is touched it drops to Near Mint. Mint is as an imaginary ideal that cannot be attained in the real world.
NEAR MINT (NM) Almost perfect. Upon close inspection, one or two tiny imperfections may be found. This is the highest grade assigned to any item in this catalog.
VERY FINE-NEAR MINT (VFNM) An excellent copy with only minor imperfections such as a few tiny stress lines on the spine or a minor printing/binding defect.
VERY FINE (VF) Excellent copy with very slight wear beginning to show. Still sharp, glossy, and clean.
FINE-VERY FINE (FVF) A glossy, clean copy with a number of small imperfections or slight wear such as tiny stress lines or slightly rounded corners.
FINE (F) An above-average copy that shows less than average wear. Typical defects could include a small corner crease or some loss of cover gloss.
VERY GOOD-FINE (VGF) A slightly better than average copy with some imperfections that keep it out of the higher grades. Obviously handled but fairly well cared for; still basically a decent copy.
VERY GOOD (VG) A copy in average condition. Some wear is obvious but not damaged or soiled.
GOOD-VERY GOOD (GVG) A well-read copy with some significant defects such as tears, long creases, or writing, or perhaps several smaller but noticeable defects.
GOOD (G): A worn copy with an accumulation of defects such as tears, creases, writing, pieces out of the cover, etc.
FAIR-GOOD (FR-G), FAIR (FR), POOR-FAIR (P-FR), POOR (P):These grades all indicate a very worn copy with many significant defects, such as tape, pieces missing, stains, or water damage, increasing in number and/or severity down the list.
RANGE OF GRADES like "VG or Better", "F to NM":
This indicates you will get a comic that is at least the lower grade and
often will get a better quality issue.
NOTE: Comics listed as POOR condition have complete, readable stories though parts of the cover or panels might be missing.
To describe the specific condition of a particular comic book or magazine, we use these abbreviations:
bc = back cover bce = brown cover edge bd = binding defect br = brittle brn = brown bsp = bottom staple popped c = cover ccr = cover crease cd = cutting defect cfl = centerfold loose cp = cover price cs = cover stain ct = cover tear dsc = date stamp cover icr = issue crease or impact crease if = issue fold ink = distributor paint on top edge ipt = interior page torn it = issue tear (most pages) lpoc = large piece out of cover m = minor nbs = no bottom staple nts = no top staple ph = photo poc = piece out of cover poip = piece out of interior page pos = piece out of spine p = printing (when following 1st, 2nd, etc.) pg = page repr = reprint rs = rolled spine 's = plural sf = subscription fold sm = small spoc = small piece out of cover ss = spine split sw = spine wear t = tiny tan = tan (lighter than brown) tc = taped cover tce = tan cover edge tip = taped interior page tpoc = tiny piece out of cover ts = taped spine wd = water damage wroc = writing on cover wroip = writing on interior page wrpp = writing on puzzle page ws = water stain inch = inch, such as 2 inch split spine. These abbreviations may be used in various combinations. For example, mbcs's would mean "minor back cover stains". Here are a few other abbreviations used: Whit = Whitman imprint in DC's and Gold Keys. Giant = comic with more pages such as an 80 book PB = paperback book HC = hardcover book SC = softcover book
Our online comic shop uses our grading abbreviations, just search and put some comics in the shopcart to see examples.
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Shop comics online at our comic store for collectible out of print comics and rare comic books for sale form our large back issue comic book vintage inventory. Buy comics today, order comics online, pay by credit card, we ship world wide to Russia, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Australia and other destinations.
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