Question about how we all learned to spot key issues from cover wear before price guides were everywhere.

3 comments

3 Comments

Cover wear was my only clue for years. Seeing how experts check for spine ticks and staple rust completely changed my method.

grayjohnson1mo ago

Read an old guide that said staple rust is a killer for silver age books. They called it "rust migration" where it can spread to the pages. @kevinross is right, spotting those tiny spine ticks needs good light. Makes you realize how much you miss just looking at the cover.

keith2791mo ago

At a comic book fair in Chicago, I watched a dealer inspect a Spider-Man issue. He pointed out how small spine ticks and staple rust can really change the grade and value. I started focusing on those details too, and it made judging condition much easier.