The last few weeks have been abuzz about the highest graded copy of Action Comics #1, a 9.0 copy with white pages and a final sales price of $3.2 million. But there is more to the story, and it involves a comic book secret little know outside the advanced hobbyist.
Most serious comic book collectors and investors are aware of the widespread use of pressing comic books. Using a combination of moisture, heat and pressure, a legal way of pushing a comic book’s grade up a few notches is becoming commonplace. There is just way too much money on the line for this not to be used. If you are interested in learning a little more about comic book pressing, you can check out one of my previous articles listed at the end of this post.
What does this have to do with the latest high grade copy of Action #1? There are allegations that this copy has been pressed. This story has been reported on Steve Duin’s blog at Oregon Live and has also been discussed in this thread on the CGC Boards.
This is from Steve Duin’s article:
Somewhere along the line, the Action #1 was, apparently, twice resubmitted to the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) and upgraded from 8.0 to 8.5 and, finally, to its 9.0 status.
Does it matter? It depends who you ask. The opinions about comic book pressing are varied and heated. The one thing pressing can’t do is make the pages white, and that is where this particular copy really shines. There is some evidence that pressing actually helps conservation, adding strength to the time weakened pages (discussed on the CBCA forums in a detailed article).
So everything may not be what it seems with this copy of Action #1, or for thousands of investment comic books. What do you think? Should comic books be pressed and if so should it be disclosed? I’d love to hear your opinions.
More on Comic Book Pressing:
The Comic Book Money Printing Machine – Legally Cheating CGC
Pressing Your Comic Books to a Better Grade – Example
Comic Book Pressing Before and After Video
CGC Acquires Classics Incorporated – One Stop Pressing
