Network of Disclosure
Encyclopedia
The Network of Disclosure (also called NOD) was a group of comic book
dealers and collectors who pledged to disclose any form of restoration or enhancement, known to exist, on a comic book whose ownership is to be transferred to another party through sale, trade or gift. The NOD, founded in early 2006, was the only comic book collecting educational organization in the world. The objective of the organization was to create a safer and more open environment for those buying and selling comic books. By publicly sharing this type of history of each of these books with fellow collectors and customers, the group sought to foster both a greater level of confidence and sense of security within the marketplace.
The organization was composed of members from across the globe. Notable members (founders in bold) included the following: Charter Member Brent Moeshlin, Quality Comix; Charter Member Marnin Rosenberg, Collectors Assemble / Comic Collectors; Senior Overstreet Advisor, Charter Member Mark Zaid
, Esquire Comics, Overstreet Advisor; notable restoration expert/Charter Member Susan Cicconi, The Restoration Lab; and NOD Logo Copyright owner Charter Member Brad Hamann, Brad Hamann Illustration & Design. In March 2009 the NOD became a non-profit organization.
On December 12, 2009, the members of the Network of Disclosure voted to change the name and mission statement of the organization and to replace the existing membership guidelines with a new code of ethics. As a result of this ballot, the Network of Disclosure effectively ceased to exist and a new organization with a broader mission and focus was created in its place. This new organization, the Comic Book Collecting Association (CBCA) was announced to the public on February 22, 2010.
Security - Involvement in the NOD required a degree of openness that exists nowhere else. Disclosure of important information to a prospective buyer creates a greater sense of security and trust to minimize concerns and ensure complete satisfaction with a transaction, both immediately and thereafter.
Education - A smart buyer is an educated buyer. NOD promoted that all buyers, whether collectors, investors or dealers, should have all relevant substantive information at their disposal when contemplating decisions impacting their purchases. Education ensures intelligent decisions, and intelligent decisions lead to positive and repeat transactions that further the continuation and enjoyment of the hobby.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
dealers and collectors who pledged to disclose any form of restoration or enhancement, known to exist, on a comic book whose ownership is to be transferred to another party through sale, trade or gift. The NOD, founded in early 2006, was the only comic book collecting educational organization in the world. The objective of the organization was to create a safer and more open environment for those buying and selling comic books. By publicly sharing this type of history of each of these books with fellow collectors and customers, the group sought to foster both a greater level of confidence and sense of security within the marketplace.
The organization was composed of members from across the globe. Notable members (founders in bold) included the following: Charter Member Brent Moeshlin, Quality Comix; Charter Member Marnin Rosenberg, Collectors Assemble / Comic Collectors; Senior Overstreet Advisor, Charter Member Mark Zaid
Mark Zaid
Mark S. Zaid is a Washington DC attorney, with a practice focus on national security law, free speech constitutional claims and government accountability. He was named as a 2009 DC Superlawyer for his work on behalf of national security whistleblowers. He founded the James Madison Project in 1998,...
, Esquire Comics, Overstreet Advisor; notable restoration expert/Charter Member Susan Cicconi, The Restoration Lab; and NOD Logo Copyright owner Charter Member Brad Hamann, Brad Hamann Illustration & Design. In March 2009 the NOD became a non-profit organization.
On December 12, 2009, the members of the Network of Disclosure voted to change the name and mission statement of the organization and to replace the existing membership guidelines with a new code of ethics. As a result of this ballot, the Network of Disclosure effectively ceased to exist and a new organization with a broader mission and focus was created in its place. This new organization, the Comic Book Collecting Association (CBCA) was announced to the public on February 22, 2010.
Controversy
NOD was the object of controversy in the comic collecting hobby due to the organization's strong stand against non-disclosure practices of some sellers in the hobby. This controversy stems from the conflict between those that feel certain forms of "enhancement" (restoration to some) should be disclosed and those that do not agree that these procedures should be proactively disclosed.Organization's Principles
Integrity - NOD members believed in an ethical standard that rises to the highest levels. Usage of the NOD logo by sellers denotes a level of trust that can be readily accepted by buyers even when no prior interaction existed between the two individuals. Participation in NOD by all members demonstrates adoption to strict codes of conduct that instills ideals that promotes the betterment of the hobby.Security - Involvement in the NOD required a degree of openness that exists nowhere else. Disclosure of important information to a prospective buyer creates a greater sense of security and trust to minimize concerns and ensure complete satisfaction with a transaction, both immediately and thereafter.
Education - A smart buyer is an educated buyer. NOD promoted that all buyers, whether collectors, investors or dealers, should have all relevant substantive information at their disposal when contemplating decisions impacting their purchases. Education ensures intelligent decisions, and intelligent decisions lead to positive and repeat transactions that further the continuation and enjoyment of the hobby.
Membership Guidelines for Disclosure
Proactively disclose any restoration or enhancements done to a comic book including, but not limited to, any of the following:- Glue
- Tape
- Tear seal
- Color touch
- Piece replacement
- Page replacement
- Page whitening/bleaching
- Staple removal, replacement, or cleaning
- Cleaning (aqueous, solvent or dry erasure)
- Pressing (Intact, localized or disassembled)
- Trimming
- Deacidification
- Cover re-glossing
- Restoration removal (tape, glue, tissue or color touch)
Policies Regarding Advertising & History Of Books Being Offered For Sale by Membership
- A Numeric or Letter grade must be assessed to any books being advertised for sale except for in person transactions.
- All NOD members must agree to provide a refund to a buyer with respect to the sale of a raw book if the individual is not satisfied with the transaction (presuming, of course, the book is returned in the same condition as sold and any other applicable reasonable requirements). It is strongly recommended, but not required, that any comic graded by an independent third party also be subject to a return policy.
- The greater the value of the comic, the more due diligence should be exercised to find out the history of the book.
- Sellers who only disclose restoration and/or enhancements (to include intact pressing) when asked, will NOT be eligible for inclusion to The Network Of Disclosure.
- Buyer has up to three (3) months to return comic to the network seller if any restoration and/or enhancements were found to have been done to the comic for a full refund (excluding any restocking fees in the terms of sale).
- The buyer has up to six (6) months after the sale is made to file a grievance with the NOD committee of accountability.
- NOD sellers must display the NOD logo on their Website Home Page(s) and/or all eBay items. The NOD logo on all Member Website Home Pages will have a click through to the NOD Website Home Page. The NOD Logo in each members eBay Auction or Buy It Now item description will click through to their "About Me Page". The "About Me Page" will display the NOD logo which will click through to the NOD Website Home Page. Creating the About Me page.
- All members must put up the Professionally Pressed logo on any books in their inventory they know to be pressed. The logo will have a click through to a link to be determined by the NOD.
- The Enhancement Free logo is optional on any book(s) where the seller knows or is reasonably certain of the lineage of the book.
Policy Regarding Conservation, Restoration, or Enhancement Services Performed for Customer Collectors or Dealers
- Members who provide a conservation, restoration, or enhancement service must be conducting business under a company name.
- Members must clearly advertise their Terms of Service to prospective customers and provide a numerically serialized certificate for each book once services are completed. The certificate shall contain, at a minimum, the following information: issue title, issue number, publication date, and provenance (pedigree, file copy, or collection designation if applicable) along with a description of any and all treatments performed.
- Members who provide these services must maintain a database of certificate numbers corresponding to each customer's name, the date services were performed, and before and after high-resolution digital images of the front and rear cover of each book.
Articles
- New Advocacy Group Formed for Collectors, Dealers
- Inside the Network of Disclosure
- San Diego Hosts NOD, AACC Discussion
- Interview with founder Mark Zaid (video)
- Ethics and Standards in the Conservation of Ephemera
- Making The Grade - The Responses Keep Rolling
- Gallery of Disclosure
- Susan Cicconi's NO-PRESS Declaration (Mar 17th, 2005)
- Susan Cicconi's Policy on Pressing
- What is comic restoration? (video)
- Do I need to disclose comic book alterations before a sale? (video)
- Comic Zone radio interview series with Susan Cicconi (audio)
- Passing On His Passion: NOD member Rick Whitelock