Expert: Brian G. Philbin - 7/11/2009

Question
Hello. I have recently bought over somebody's comic collection of the Frew Phantom Australian comics. Many are in excellent condition but have pen marks on the back of the cover, and/or the price sticker on the front. (Even though the price is pre-printed on the comic)

I understand that if you try to take off the sticker, it might rip the comic, so I'm leaving them on, but I wasn't sure how much it devalues a comic? Is it considered a major defect, and does it take the comic down several grades?

Should I choose my other comic (the double), which has no sticker, but has more tears/creases etc?

Thanks in advance.
Sarah

Answer
Hi, Sarah - thanks for your question!

Essentially, attempting to remove something like that should be done by someone with a great deal of experience.  It's considered preservation/restoration. Because you want to preserve the comic from being eaten up by the acids in the adhesive, we call that preservation, but restoration is considered altering the book, because the restorer would have to also remove the rest of the adhesive with an agent such as naptha.  This might impact the value of the book, as well.

A tear in the book is also an alteration. Then again, if you leave the sticker on, it will eventually ruin the book entirely.  The choice concerning what to do with it lies with the owner.

My best recommendation is to educate yourself on such things.  Here is a place to begin with grading, values and collecting in general:

http://www.metropolisplus.com/comics

This one is about restoring comics:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2309709_restore-old-comic-books.html

I've removed adhesive from comics before, but they weren't anything I was ever intending to sell and not something with a great deal of value.

The comic you mention is one I'm not familiar with and I expect that's because it's an Australian comic book.  The comic book is a part of Americana/pop culture and the Australian market doesn't really have a price guide that I know of, so it would be difficult to determine value on such a thing.

That said, you should be able to determine from both of the articles I've provided what the risks are and whether you want to attempt - or have someone else attempt - such a restoration.

I hope this helps - please let me know if you have any other questions!

Pax, harmonia,

Brian G. Philbin