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help with grading Daystar Pharaoh
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falerion
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Post Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 1:26 am 
 

Hi all,

I went through my storage boxes and had the incredible luck finding a copy of the Pharaoh module from Daystar West.

I hope to get some help in grading this module. I read a lot on grading here on the page, but I still find it difficult.

There is some residue in the top right corner. I guess it's the leftover from an old price sticker.
The lower edges are slightly worn. It has no cease I can see. No tears. All pages are present without any markings on them. The edges seem to have slightly yellowed.
Since one of the edges has a bit of abrasions.
For me it looks like this might be of "fine" grade.  I wonder if that would still be a "very fine" (or even higher) grade?

Could anyone give me some advice on this?

Thanks!

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dbartman
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Post Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 8:12 am 
 

The pictures are a little grainy, but based on them, and your description, it looks like it should be classified a VF.  It a really nice looking copy.  I'm sure you could find a few people interested in it here.
  

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Chris Korczak
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Post Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:49 am 
 

I concur with dbartman.


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Thunderdave
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Post Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 3:06 pm 
 

The biggest issue I've had with these is the tape binding becomes brittle and loses adhesion. I've been tempted to grab some hockey tape and restore mine :)

If your binding is good, I'd have no problem calling that VF


I draw the line at collecting... D&D beach towels.

Shoulda been: ".. from Pangreenia to Floratopolis, from mystical Treeonia of spectral Forests to Schruborial dimensions." - The Forests of Leng
  

falerion
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Post Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 12:24 am 
 

Thanks for your comments!

Yes I took the pictures indoor in the evening. Perhaps I can reshoot them on the weekend in daylight.

As far as I can tell the tape is still good (I don't want to pull on it). It doesn't look like it is brittle or will fall apart.
  

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Deadlord
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Post Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 12:41 am 
 

Sticker residue can be removed.
At worst that is VF, more like VF-NM (meaning a hair away from Near Mint). Given the age of the book, very slight wear on the edges is pretty much expected. the fact that the spine is intact is huge.
Look at it this way: it is probably one of the nicest copies in existence. I know collectors aren't going to quibble about a sticker stain and slight edge wear; that thing is quite rare. I wouldn't go put a down payment on a Winnebago, but I expect you'll be quite happy if you sell it. The lions seem to be in a feeding frenzy lately.


If you hit a Rowsdower, you get to keep it.
  

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mrmanowar
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Post Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 8:02 pm 
 

Deadlord wrote in help with grading Daystar Pharaoh:. The lions seem to be in a feeding frenzy lately.


Tell me about it.  I have been outbid on so many auctions now, I just tend to watch them end to see what crazy price I would have to pay for any rare item if I won it.
  

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throwi
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Post Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 7:07 am 
 

Me too.  The recent Black Opal Eye and Rahasia auctions are just the latest examples of the feeding frenzy.

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WyvernLord
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Post Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:27 pm 
 

I still try on the rares, but typically outbid, and I am sometimes willing to pay a bit over value just to complete a collection....but even that seems to fail lately as the above mentioned RPGA 1 and RPGA 2 auctions have shown....was shocked to find RPGA1 today at Noble Knight for a bout 40-50%% less than recent auctions have been going for.  Just need to find a Black Opal Eye and will have them all!

Then the hunt for an ST1 will start (not holding my breath on that one).
  

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ibm_ted
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Post Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 7:17 pm 
 

WyvernLord wrote in help with grading Daystar Pharaoh:I still try on the rares, but typically outbid, and I am sometimes willing to pay a bit over value just to complete a collection....but even that seems to fail lately as the above mentioned RPGA 1 and RPGA 2 auctions have shown....was shocked to find RPGA1 today at Noble Knight for a bout 40-50%% less than recent auctions have been going for.  Just need to find a Black Opal Eye and will have them all!

Then the hunt for an ST1 will start (not holding my breath on that one).


I believe cougarinard (I'm probably butchering the spelling of his eBay handle) has a copy of ST1 that he hasn't sold yet.  It will most likely require the buyer to take out a second mortgage though ...
  

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benjoshua
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Post Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:03 pm 
 

ibm_ted wrote in help with grading Daystar Pharaoh:I believe cougarinard (I'm probably butchering the spelling of his eBay handle) has a copy of ST1 that he hasn't sold yet.  It will most likely require the buyer to take out a second mortgage though ...


Cougarinard, aka The Britty Kitty, aka Cougie, aka littleprincessfreya, aka names-which-can-not-be-stated-in-these-forums, is not to be trusted at any price.  If you want to read an entertaining thread, here's one of the classics:

Cougarrinard is now using Ebay ID of littleprincessfreya

8)


Truth is worth finding and life is too short to work for money.
  

WyvernLord
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Post Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 12:03 pm 
 

ibm_ted wrote in help with grading Daystar Pharaoh:
WyvernLord wrote in help with grading Daystar Pharaoh:I still try on the rares, but typically outbid, and I am sometimes willing to pay a bit over value just to complete a collection....but even that seems to fail lately as the above mentioned RPGA 1 and RPGA 2 auctions have shown....was shocked to find RPGA1 today at Noble Knight for a bout 40-50%% less than recent auctions have been going for.  Just need to find a Black Opal Eye and will have them all!

Then the hunt for an ST1 will start (not holding my breath on that one).


I believe cougarinard (I'm probably butchering the spelling of his eBay handle) has a copy of ST1 that he hasn't sold yet.  It will most likely require the buyer to take out a second mortgage though ...



Yes, seen their auctions.  Talk about prices out of touch with reality.  Of course I notice not much gets sold either.  Asking so far outside of actual value that even the lions are not going to frenzy over that!  (The sad thing is I did see an ST1 not quite a year ago when I started my collection and not realising the increase in value I balked at $600 for a well used copy which I never saw again.   After realizing a few weeks later what the gamebooks were actually selling for I realised my mistake......sigh.  I actually thought I would be able to buy up books and modules at $5-$10 a piece.....learned really fast that while some sell for that price, many go for much, much more!!!)
  

argyrebasin
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Post Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2016 8:24 pm 
 

PM sent sir. I'm interested in a purchase if you are going to sell.
Thanks!


The eye that looks ahead to the safe course is closed forever.
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