Expert: Chris Brown - 8/6/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have a mint condition Mad Magazine issue number 1.
What do you think it is worth in today's market?
Thanks,
-gil


ANSWER:
Hi Gil

I'm a little confused because the first issue of Mad was a comic book and therefore was not called "Mad Magazine."  The first issue of Mad to be a magazine was actually issue #24.

Mad has put out various collections like Mad Follies and The Worst From Mad that would have had a #1, but those are not Mad #1.

Anyway, if you have Mad #1, which is a comic book with a publication date of Oct-Nov 1952, it has a price guide value of $7000 in Near Mint condition.  A copy in true Mint condition with no flaws and looking brand new in every way would be worth even more.

Mad Magazine #24, the first magazine issue, has a price guide value of $1600 in Near Mint condition.

Feel free to follow up if you want to clarify what issue you are referring to.

Chris

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes it is actually the first issue of Mad -- how can I tell if
it is really near mint or what the grade is?
Thanks again
-gil


ANSWER: Does it look like a brand new magazine/comic fresh off a printing press?

A Mint comic cannot have any tears, creases, folds, stains, discoloration, etc.  The pages should still be white, not yellowing, tanning or browning with age.  The staples should show no sign of rust.  To really be Mint, it should also be perfectly printed, e.g. the cover can't be offcenter or misaligned.

There have also been reprints of Mad #1.  Are you sure you have the original from 1952 and not one of the reprint editions?

Chris



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wow! you nailed it -- OK mine is not mint -- the pages are
yellowing/tanning/browning w age -- i do not believe what i
have is a reprint but how would i tell?
and given what i just said what condition would you call it
and what is it worth?
Thanks much - gil


Answer
Here is a scan of the original cover.  Your copy should look exactly the same.  Any difference would be an indication that it is not an original.

http://www.comics.org/issue/93801/cover/4/?style=default

One thing to pay attention to is the cover price.  Later copies would generally have cost more than the original .10 cent price.

If you have a copy that has the .10 cents crossed out and "FREE" written underneath, this is a reprint that came out in a later magazine.

Assuming you have the original, it's hard to judge condition without knowing how serious the yellowing/tanning/browning is.  Assuming there are no other flaws, if the pages are supple and closer to white with only mild yellowing, it could still be worth over $1000.

With tanning or browning edges to the pages but no real brittleness, you are probably down to the $500 range.  If the pages are browning and brittle so that chips fall off as you page through it, you are likely down to $100 or less.

Of course, these are all very rough estimates but should give you a basic idea.

Chris