Getting a Collection Graded

Ghost · **Joined:** Sep 14, 2010 9:44 AM **Posts:** 2

Hey all! I'm hoping for some good suggestions on who I can look to in order to get a collection of comics graded for insurance purposes.

I live in the Philadelphia region and have about 22,000 books. I admittedly suck at grading books, but even if I didn't, the insurance company needs a statement from someone on the estimated value if I'm going to insure them.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

macathro · **Posted:** Sep 15, 2010 10:21 AM

Wow! That is a lot of books. You might want to check with your LCS to see if there is an owner that would be willing to do it? Also, you can look up appraisers in the phone book. Either way, it'll probably cost you a bit of money to get that many books graded! If I were you, I'd take only the ones that book at $50 or more and get those done. That way you are protecting the main books of your collection and not having to pay the service fee for all the others. It might also be good to find out what sort of paperwork will be acceptable for the insurance company before proceeding. I'd hate to see you pay to have someone grade them and then it not be acceptable to the insurance company. Good luck! :righton:

Mr. Zipper · **Joined:** Apr 25, 2007 2:21 AM **Posts:** 6017

I agree with Mike's comments.

Another approach would be to contact The Collectibles Insurance Agency. They don't require an appraisal of your entire collection. They specialize in collectible and only require itemization of single items worth more than $5,000. They are much easier to work with than a traditional agency that is putting a rider on your homeowners. And typically, CIA is less expensive than a rider on your homeowners.

I've had them for years as have many others here. I have no financial interest in the CIA and don't get a penny for the referral. :winkgrin:

http://www.collectinsure.com/

macathro · **Posted:** Sep 15, 2010 11:30 AM

Mr. Zipper wrote:

I agree with Mike's comments.

Another approach would be to contact The Collectibles Insurance Agency. They don't require an appraisal of your entire collection. They specialize in collectible and only require itemization of single items worth more than $5,000. They are much easier to work with than a traditional agency that is putting a rider on your homeowners. And typically, CIA is less expensive than a rider on your homeowners.

I've had them for years as have many others here. I have no financial interest in the CIA and don't get a penny for the referral. :winkgrin:

http://www.collectinsure.com/

They seem to have changed their stance a little over the years. The application now asks if you have a list of books and, if not, how do you plan to prove a claim (or some such wording). It looked to me like they now want a list at least but it doesn't look like it needs to be an outside appraisal. They are the company I plan on going with. I just have to finish my app.

Mr. Zipper · **Joined:** Apr 25, 2007 2:21 AM **Posts:** 6017

macathro wrote:

The application now asks if you have a list of books and, if not, how do you plan to prove a claim (or some such wording). It looked to me like they now want a list at least but it doesn't look like it needs to be an outside appraisal.

That is new. When I first applied, you had to provide a very general high level list, e.g., Silver Age Comic books $20,000, Autographs $10,000, etc.

I do not recall seeing any mention of a total list in any of my renewal statements. I should check with them.

macathro · **Posted:** Sep 15, 2010 11:53 AM

Mr. Zipper wrote:

macathro wrote:

The application now asks if you have a list of books and, if not, how do you plan to prove a claim (or some such wording). It looked to me like they now want a list at least but it doesn't look like it needs to be an outside appraisal.

That is new. When I first applied, you had to provide a very general high level list, e.g., Silver Age Comic books $20,000, Autographs $10,000, etc.

I do not recall seeing any mention of a total list in any of my renewal statements. I should check with them.

I'm looking at the app now. It says "Do you maintain an inventory? Y N If yes, please include copy with application. If you do NOT maintain an inventory, how would you prove a loss? Please explain.

The bold portions are how they appear on the app.

Mr. Zipper · **Joined:** Apr 25, 2007 2:21 AM **Posts:** 6017

macathro wrote:

Mr. Zipper wrote:

macathro wrote:

The application now asks if you have a list of books and, if not, how do you plan to prove a claim (or some such wording). It looked to me like they now want a list at least but it doesn't look like it needs to be an outside appraisal.

That is new. When I first applied, you had to provide a very general high level list, e.g., Silver Age Comic books $20,000, Autographs $10,000, etc.

I do not recall seeing any mention of a total list in any of my renewal statements. I should check with them.

I'm looking at the app now. It says "Do you maintain an inventory? Y N If yes, please include copy with application. If you do NOT maintain an inventory, how would you prove a loss? Please explain.

The bold portions are how they appear on the app.

Very interesting.

It's probably a good idea to upload a copy of your inventory in spreadsheet form to some online storage (Google docs or whatever). In a worse case scenbario if your home and computer are destroyed along with the collection, you have something somewhere. Probably also helps to videotape the collection and focus in on the big books individually. Keep the video tape at a relative's home or in a safety deposit box.

Boozad · **Posted:** Sep 16, 2010 3:15 PM

Insuring my collection seperately is soemthing I really have to look into. It's currently covered for $15,000 seperate collectibles claim aside from our contents insurance. This may sound bad but I have no idea what my collection's worth at the moment, although I don't think it's quite that high as I only have a couple of years worth of books.

Ghost · **Joined:** Sep 14, 2010 9:44 AM **Posts:** 2

Thanks all for the very speedy and great replies.

Like Boozad, I don't have a clue what this mess that takes up the back bedroom is worth. Books that were graded one way 25 years ago are graded very differently today. I know there are a lot of gems in the collection, but I couldn't grade them if my life depended on it.

I'll check with my LCS ASAP.

Then I'll be back for suggestions on the best way to sell the collection <grin>

Garry · **Posted:** Sep 16, 2010 6:04 PM

Ghost wrote:

Thanks all for the very speedy and great replies.

Like Boozad, I don't have a clue what this mess that takes up the back bedroom is worth. Books that were graded one way 25 years ago are graded very differently today. I know there are a lot of gems in the collection, but I couldn't grade them if my life depended on it.

I'll check with my LCS ASAP.

Then I'll be back for suggestions on the best way to sell the collection <grin>

Maybe you should post some examples of a few of your better books here? While we couldn't grade completely accurately from scans, we might be able to give you some idea of grade and possible value.

macathro · **Posted:** Sep 17, 2010 8:32 AM

I will highly recommend the Overstreet Grading Guide as well. This book has all the grades with some visual examples to give you an idea what the grade looks like. Also, it is still the most widely used grading system in the hobby in my opinion. If you don't want to purchase it then I would check your library for a copy. If they don't carry it, ask the librarian if they can get it through an inter-library loan.

Patrick Beam · **Joined:** Jul 14, 2008 7:40 PM **Posts:** 1562

Funny story. I have never even seen a grading guide. I learned all my grading buying from dealers, and the CGC forum. Coincidentally I can grade pretty well :ooops:

Garry · **Posted:** Sep 17, 2010 3:00 PM

Patrick Beam wrote:

Funny story. I have never even seen a grading guide. I learned all my grading buying from dealers, and the CGC forum. Coincidentally I can grade pretty well :ooops:

That wasn't funny, more ironic. :baiting:

Patrick Beam · **Joined:** Jul 14, 2008 7:40 PM **Posts:** 1562

Garry wrote:

Patrick Beam wrote:

Funny story. I have never even seen a grading guide. I learned all my grading buying from dealers, and the CGC forum. Coincidentally I can grade pretty well :ooops:

That wasn't funny, more ironic. :baiting:

Boozad · **Posted:** Oct 17, 2010 11:54 PM

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