[robw1959]

In case you missed it there is an issue of the "holy grail" of comics being auctioned on eBay - the 1938 Superman #1. While it earned a grade of 9.0 (which I am guessing is pretty much pristine in that hobby) I couldn't help noticing the fact that it looks like the back cover has been torn at the top near the spine with what looks like at least a half-inch rip. I questioned the seller and got confirmation that it is a tear, and that since the tear was factory-produced it doesn't reduce the grade of this otherwise pristine issue.

Can you imagine that? A slightly torn page, on the back no less, and it still gets a 9.0 from the company which is the gold standard for comic book grading.