Understanding this natural law allows us to draw conclusions important in understanding why so many view grading as such a critical component of comic book collecting. Specimens in a high state of preservation are almost always rarer than specimens in a lesser state of preservation. Because there are fewer of them, they are harder to locate and obtain. Inextricably linking condition with value, the law of supply and demand also dictates that an item in a high grade will be worth more than its multitude of lesser condition cousins. This is because there will not be enough of them to fill demand.
Some collectors care little about condition.
To these purists go the admiration of many. For the rest of the comic book collecting world, condition is all important and is a compelling and driving force, motivating fans to scour conventions, shops, and advertisements in search of this elusive commodity. Every collectible in history has encountered this same challenge. In our global culture, enthusiasts commonly buy, sell, and trade comic books using condition as a key factor in determining price. Collectors and dealers who describe the state of preservation by long distance communication face a number of challenges, the least of which is bias about the importance of defects.