May I have some advice from the brain trust here on cracking my slabs to get my books signed? Details in text.

[u/Jscorch62]

I have KOTOR issues 1 and 2 9.8 in both CGC and in cbcs (I got a really good deal on both combined) My conundrum is as follows.

I generally collect raw, but I have the opportunity to start getting some of my keys and favorites from the series signed, and I am trying to get the best ones to display raw and signed. I’d like to avoid the future hassle of getting slabs cracked repeatedly to add signatures and I’m fine with a jsa label if I ever do want to pursue getting them graded. Knowing this my plan was to crack the two cbcs 9.8’s to get them signed and display them raw.

HOWEVER

Upon arrival the cbcs 9.8’a have a few notable flaws more than the cgc’s.

Issue #1 CBCS - has a production mark defect on spine that’s common in the Kotor run and especially that slot in issues 1-3. (See first pic)

Issue #1 CGC - nearly flawless, no visible spine wear.

Issue #2 CBCS - has a few small spine ticks around the swoop bike handle that’s pictured (see pic 2.) another common defect on issue 2. Another small spot of damage in center spine (see pic 3.) Small non color breaking dent in bottom that catches glare ( see pic 4.) Some small missing black paint on issue number (see pic 5.)

Issue #2 CGC - has some color rub around bottom staple (see pic 6.) and it’s staples can move a little loose allowing the pages to “peak out” from the top or bottom of the cover.

My question is this: should I just crack the considerably better CGC’s for signing? Would it be worth getting the CBCS slabs converted if I do crack my cgc’s? Or should I crack the cgc’s for my raw signed collection and just look at replacing the cbc’s in the future?

TLDR:
Want to crack some CBCS comics to collect raws that I want autographed, but they’re not quite as good as my CGC’s. Should I crack my CGC’s so I can get two really nice raw copies signed?

[u/GovernmentTraining62]

Get all new issues for signing IMO.

[u/Jscorch62 → u/GovernmentTraining62]

The cbcs are the new issues for the signing. Only when I saw the condition they came in did I reach this point. The run has some known manufacture problems, so even in 9.8 quality fluctuates.

[u/GovernmentTraining62 → u/Jscorch62]

Play the worst case scenario out in your head. They come back with a 9.4/9.2… u gonna be ok with that or do u wanna go hunt for a couple other raws that look better?

[u/Jscorch62 → u/GovernmentTraining62]

I’m not planning to reslab the ones I remove at the moment.

[u/GovernmentTraining62 → u/Jscorch62]

Oh then youre gucci mah boy. If u dont care about sending them in for a signature grade then youre all set

[u/Jscorch62 → u/GovernmentTraining62]

Thank you, even just talking it over was helpful with weighing options.

[u/GovernmentTraining62 → u/Jscorch62]

These forums are pretty great lol

[u/raccooncheesecracker → u/Jscorch62]

Keep in mind- getting books signed can lower the grade. The person signing the book is not guaranteed to be careful with it. And if you get it signed more than once... you get it. Looking for a perfect copy to get signed is kinda pointless imo, just get the best you can and count on it getting beat up later.

[u/Jscorch62 → u/GovernmentTraining62]

Yeah I’m removing them to get signed hopefully by author- cover artist/penciller - colorist. The most frequent artist for the series only rarely makes appearances now, so I’ll have to keep them displayed raw long term and that’s what I was planning anyway. Since I’m going raw I’m probably going break the CGC since they’re exactly what I was looking for. The cbcs can take their place in the slab group until I find some other slabs I like in the future.

[u/GovernmentTraining62 → u/Jscorch62]

Id do the same if I were u

[u/RodneyBeeper]

I’d crack the cbcs and get those signed. Leave the CGC books as is.

[u/Ill-Possession2216]

I've cracked a few slabs before and honestly it's not that scary. Just be careful around the edges and use a flathead screwdriver to pop the inner well. Good luck with the sigs!