SARASOTA, Fla., Sept. 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Certified Guaranty CompanyTM (CGC®), the only independent comic certification and grading company, announced today that it has graded its 2 millionth comic book.
"This is a huge milestone for CGC," said Paul Litch, primary grader and restoration detection specialist of CGC. "It's remarkable to look back at all the great collections and comics we've seen over the past 11 years."
CGC has experienced significant growth since its founding in 1999. Submissions have steadily increased by 10 percent per year, indicating the continued demand for expert, impartial grading. In recent years, the company has seen an influx in vintage comic books, which comprise approximately 60 percent of CGC's total submissions. Going forward, CGC expects to see more submissions of original cover art, which the company grades as part of its Signature Series service.
CGC has received many notable submissions over the years. Two of the most significant collections surfaced in 2011. CGC was privileged to grade the Twin Cities and the Billy Wright Collections worth more than $1 million and $3.5 million respectively. CGC was also pleased to grade several first issue copies that broke sales records including Batman #1 NM 9.2, which sold for $850,000, and X-Men #1 issue, circa 1963, which sold for $492,937.50. One of the best surviving copies left in existence, this X-Men #1 graded out at CGC 9.8 (Pacific Coast Pedigree). Only one other copy in the world shares this quality grade level.
"We're grateful to the collectors and dealers who continue to depend on us as their trusted grading authority," said Litch. "We're also deeply proud of our team and their commitment to protecting and advancing the hobby as a whole. They keep generating new ideas for increasing confidence among our loyal customers."
For example, earlier this year, CGC made CGC Grader Notes available through the CGC Certification Verification Tool. These notes are a valuable part of the grading process and can help explain why a collectible received the grade it did. CGC expects to introduce more advances like the Grader Notes in the coming years.
Janell Armstrong, Marketing Coordinator
(941) 360-3994 x 236
jarmstrong@collectiblesgroup.com
About Certified Guaranty CompanyTM (CGC®)
Founded in 1999, Certified Guaranty Company is the hobby's most preferred third-party grading service for collectible comics, magazines, photos and lobby cards. CGC offers expert condition analysis, including thorough restoration detection, before grading and encapsulating collectibles in state-of-the-art, archival-safe holders. CGC does not buy or sell collectibles — it is committed to providing an independent opinion that collectors and dealers can always trust, so they can buy and sell with confidence.
CGC is a trademark or registered trademark of Certified Guaranty Company LLC in the United States and/or other countries. All other names and marks referenced in this release are the trade names, trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
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