Professional grading will drive up the price on items in great shape, and drive down the prices on items in lousy shape...in time.

In the meantime, good luck on getting $850 for an expert rulebook (worth $10) signed by some people.

As a comic book collector, I've never been a fan of the CGC system.  While the inflated prices are indeed prohibitive towards the general collector, it's the "permanent" encasement of the item which annoys me the most.  I like to experience the items I collect, not just own a portrait of the item.

There is no substitute for the smooth pages on an early print monster manual or flipping through the art of an S1 illustration booklet. 9.4 and the cover just isnt the same.

Mister Yuk wrote in It's Started:It's not a show prop. It's a piece someone took to a show or convention and had a bunch of people sign it.
Since CGC happened to be there at the time, CGC verified it's signatures.

I wonder though if it's really even started. It might be only because of the signing that it was even done.

If CGC graded this signed, they will surely grade it unsigned.  

What CGC grading does is help to embrace collect-ability and conserve nice items, it is a signal that RPG collecting is maturing. As I said in previous posts it's coming, like it or not.  Those collectors that have sought out premium condition items will benefit greatly (in terms of value).

Yes. There are a few. CGC started with coins, and they have several other things they will grade through their different companies. CGC is the biggest, or most common. Its also expensive. There is a fee to join, shipping, grading and a ton of extra services if you want. Return shipping is like $20 or more. I think the minimum cost to get something graded is like $40; beyond the value of most booklets or modules.

Tszii wrote in It's Started:Yes. There are a few. CGC started with coins, and they have several other things they will grade through their different companies. CGC is the biggest, or most common. Its also expensive. There is a fee to join, shipping, grading and a ton of extra services if you want. Return shipping is like $20 or more. I think the minimum cost to get something graded is like $40; beyond the value of most booklets or modules.

You ship them your comics, they grade them, register them and seal them.  A new comic costs around $17.00 to grade and encapsulate plus shipping back.  I send them in chucks of 25 books at a time to reduce shipping costs.  If your item is of low value then it makes little sense to have it graded.  If it is of greater value then it makes complete sense to have it graded.  They also check for restoration and completeness and qualify signatures.   CGC has revolutionized the buying and selling of valuable comics, magazines, money, coins and stamps.  It just stands to reason that they will get into collectible games.  It takes the "Its Mint trust me " completely out.

But benjoshua there is no reason one can not have both. I have Tim Kask's beautiful 1st print, first box Monster Manual, signed to Tim by Gary. And signed by Tom Wham, Dave Trampier and Dave Sutherland. I don't read that one. Nor do I read another 1st print of Tim Kask, also signed by Trampier. Nor do I read a different NM 1st print Monster Manual. But I do play with several beat up 4th print books that I have down in the basement where we play. The first three I am saving for posterity so they will be around in 200 years. The last three are for my kids and friends to play with.

You're not the first person to participate in a threadjack...nor will you be the last.
But yes, I do disagree with you that's it difficult to have both in your heart. I think I enjoy playing RPG's as much as anyone I know, and my collecting has been the most important thing I have done in my life (my homage to the creative people that have brought us such joy), until I became responsible for helping raise children.

If I remember from when I looked into this, things that made this problematic (someone correct me if I'm remembering wrong or things have changed):

They will not grade SW/sealed items.  You have to open items first and then submit them.  This generates an interesting conundrum.
Box sets seem problematic, since they can't slab the box.  I guess you could do each book, but then you have an empty box.  I guess this could lead to some odd frankenstiening stuff.
Not sure how they would approach insert, maps, etc.  How do both of the above factor into completeness?

The expert rule book in the OP is neat, but it's really just a signed and authenticated rulebook, not even the actual set prop.  I'd pass on the whole deal unless they could slab the box,content, dice and all.  Heh.

I do find the cleaning and pressing service interesting.  Anyone have any experience using it (from CGC or elsewhere?)