Expert: Chris Brown - 7/30/2010

Question
I know there have been many different Star Wars comics put out.  The one I am referring to is #1, the one that has a .30 cent cover price.  And it has the UPC code on the cover.

My question is about the upper left corner where it says Star Wars TM.  This one has a date stamp (hand stamped) in this area as well.  I have never seen a date on any of the images that I have seen of this edition.  The stamp is APR 4 1977.  And it does look like it is original/aged.

Is this just a fluke?  Something that the original seller stamped on here?  Seems a little weird.

Thanks for your thoughts on this!

Paul

Answer
Hi Paul

Don't know if you were around to buy this comic yourself off the newsstand.  Back in the good old days when comics were mostly sold in drug stores, many stores would put a date stamp (or a handwritten date) on each comic.  Then the store could go back out each week, see what hadn't sold, and pull the oldest comics off the racks to make room for the new comics.  Unsold comics could be returned to the distributor for a refund.

Based on the date on your comic, plus the further description you provide, it sounds like you do have a copy of the original edition of this comic.  Generally a date stamp is not viewed as a flaw on a comic as long as it does not interfere with the artwork.  Many collectors like them for the additional info they provide--your date stamp reveals this comic was on the stands in early April even though it has a cover date of July, 1977.

Enjoy!

Chris