Until the introduction of our 10-point system, the marketplace suffered from a lack of a standardized system for ranking of condition. Each merchant more or less "invented" their own system, with one seller's "Fine" equal to another seller's "Condition B" and yet another's "Excellent." In our opinion, lack of grading consistency among merchants is a major obstacle to growth in any hobby. Why? Because buyers feel more secure with "sight unseen" internet buying when they are familiar with a consistent grading system. New collectors in any hobby become advanced collectors through knowledge, including knowledge of terminology. Without such a set of grading terms and definitions, buyers may feel confused and uncertain about the quality of items they are buying over the internet or through the mail. Confusion and uncertainty are not good for the growth of any hobby.
Our 10-point scale for grading is similar to systems already adopted in other markets. By using a set of standardized grading terms, we can ensure the growth of the hobby now and in the future.
C10 : M (Mint)
Perfect in every way, as though it came off the press just yesterday.
C9 : NM (Near Mint)
Slightly better than Very Fine but definitely not Mint. Many dealers use this grade as their highest grade.
C8 : VF (Very Fine)
Our highest grade. Sharp in every way, like new to near new. Not necessarily mint, but exceptional. Can not have any major noticeable defects. Can have tiny, minor defects. No tears, creases, or brown pages. No surface wear or scuffing. Spine should show no rubbing or wear of any kind. A small arrival date is allowable without being noted. Should be bright and clean, glossy with creamy pages. A brilliant, highly-prized state of preservation.
C7 : FVF (Fine to Very Fine)
Slightly better than Fine but definitely not Very Fine.
C6 : F (Fine) A nice copy with perhaps several minor defects. Should have a complete and solid spine without tears or unusual wear. Defects that can be expected include: minor page browning or yellowing (severe browning is not allowed in this grade), light spine creases and minor edge tears. Defects that are not allowed in this grade are: heavy surface wear, pieces or large flakes missing, heavy spine wear, a rolled spine, insect or rodent damage. A small arrival date is allowable without being noted. Should appear clean and sharp with only a couple of minor detractions.
C5 : VGF (Very Good to Fine)
C4 : VG (Very Good)
A borderline magazine that is closer to VG than it is to G. The accrual of several described defects should move an otherwise VG item to this grade.
C3 : G (Good)
A worn, creased, flaked example. Crumpled and worn corners. Tape, waterstains, brittleness of pages, pieces or chips missing, heavily rolled spine, etc., should be described but are certainly allowable in this grade, which is used to describe a low-quality example. This grade is probably the minimum grade acceptable to most collectors.
C2 : FR (Fair)
Less than G. A terribly worn and dusty example with any major defect probably present. It should be noted that the item is complete, otherwise the buyer may assume that the item is not complete. The item may be described as a filler, or reading copy. Virtually unacceptable to most collectors.
C1 : P (Poor)
An incomplete, tattered, ragged, dreadful copy. The grade says it all - a bad copy. May be missing pages or parts of the cover and spine. May have a tremendous accumulation of other defects. The primary distinction between this grade and FR is that the P grade denotes an item that is not complete, while FR denotes an item that is complete.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
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Mad magazines from the 1950s and 1960s can indeed be valuable, especially if they are in like new condition. The value of these magazines varies widely depending on factors such as rarity, condition, and specific issues. For example, the first issue of Mad as a comic book and the first issue of the magazine format are particularly valuable. Special issues, complete collections, and autographed copies also tend to have higher value.
History of Mad Magazine
Mad Magazine is an American satirical magazine that began as a comic book published by EC (Entertaining Comics) in August 1952. It was founded by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines. The magazine transitioned from a comic book to a black-and-white magazine format in 1955.
Mad quickly became one of the best-selling humor magazines in the United States, known for its irreverent and anti-establishment humor. It inspired numerous imitators and became a significant part of American pop culture. The magazine is famous for its mascot, Alfred E. Neuman, and popular features like Spy vs. Spy.
Mad Magazine's influence extended beyond its pages, impacting various forms of entertainment and media. It developed a readership of over 2,000,000 in the 1970s and became known for its brilliant satirical pieces that parodied other comics, newspaper comic strips, films, and other parts of entertainment culture.
If you have any early Mad Magazines, especially from the 1950s and 1960s, they could be valuable collectibles. A volume 1 #1 from 1952 in mint condition is worth thousands of dollars. It's worth getting them appraised to determine their exact value.
Some classic Mad covers
Mad Magazine has had many iconic covers over the years. Here are some of the most memorable ones:
Issue #1 (1952): The very first issue of Mad Magazine, which was originally a comic book, is highly sought after by collectors.
Issue #21 (1955): This issue marked the transition from a comic book to a magazine format. It features Alfred E. Neuman on the cover for the first time.
Issue #30 (1956): Known for its parody of the movie “King Kong,” this cover is a classic example of Mad’s satirical style.
Issue #60 (1961): This cover features Alfred E. Neuman as a presidential candidate with the slogan “What – Me Worry?” It became one of the most iconic images associated with Mad Magazine.
Issue #166 (1974): This cover parodies the movie “Jaws” and is one of the most recognizable covers from the 1970s.
Issue #233 (1982): Featuring a parody of the movie “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” this cover is a favorite among fans of both the magazine and the film.
Issue #350 (1996): This cover celebrates Mad Magazine’s 350th issue with a collage of past covers, showcasing the magazine’s long history.
Issue #400 (2000): This milestone issue features Alfred E. Neuman in a futuristic setting, celebrating the magazine’s longevity.
If you have what you think may be a rare magazine, it would be wise to get a free iGuide Appraisal Report
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Playboy magazines from the 1950s and 1960s can indeed be valuable, especially if they are in like new condition. The value of these magazines varies widely depending on factors such as rarity, condition, and specific issues. For example, the first issue of Playboy and the issue featuring Betty Page on the cover (1954) are particularly valuable. Special issues, complete collections, and autographed copies also tend to have higher value.
A Common Misconception
Some might assume that because Playboy was once a popular and provocative magazine, older issues would hold significant value today.
The Bad News
They don’t have any collector value for the most part—with the exception of the very first issue. Even in pristine, "like new" condition, modern Playboy magazines have little, if any, market value. Why? Playboy quickly became one of the best selling magazines in America. This means they are extremely common. Only the early issues from 1954 and 1955 (and of course the first issue in December 1953) have any significant value. Large lots of 1960s, 70s, and up can be purchased on eBay for less than a buck a piece.
History of Playboy
Hugh Hefner was working as a promotion copywriter at Esquire magazine in Chicago when the magazine decided to move its offices to New York. Hefner decided to stay behind and start a magazine of his own. The first issue of Playboy magazine was published in December 1953. It featured Marilyn Monroe on the cover and included a “Sweetheart of the Month” color nude photo inside. The magazine sold more than 50,000 copies
If you have any early Playboy magazines, especially from the 1950s, they could be valuable collectibles. A volume 1 #1 from 1953 in mint condition is worth many thousands of dollars. It's worth getting them appraised to determine their exact value.
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For collectors, the allure of an item is often tied to its rarity, historical significance, or enduring cultural impact. Unfortunately for Reader's Digest magazine enthusiasts, the publication doesn't check many of those boxes when it comes to being a valuable collectible.
A Common Misconception
Some might assume that because Reader's Digest was once a popular and widely circulated magazine, older issues would have "collector" value today. The short answer? WRONG! No, they don’t—with the possible exception of the very first issue. Even in pristine, "like new" condition, Reader's Digest magazines have little, if any, market value.
Overproduction: The Supply Is Too High
The primary reason Reader's Digest magazines aren’t valuable is simple: they were mass-produced in high numbers over a long period of time. There’s no shortage of available copies, even in "good" condition. As a result, the supply far outweighs any collector demand, making these magazines almost worthless as collectibles. On the iGuide Demand Scale—where A+ indicates the most sought-after items— Reader's Digest magazines score a dismal D, indicating that demand is practically non-existent.
The First Issue Exception
As mentioned, the first issue of Reader's Digest holds marginally more value, but even that exception comes with a caveat. First editions or rare issues might be more valuable than later ones, but the market is limited. You might find a buyer willing to pay a bit more for the inaugural issue, but it won’t fetch the kind of prices that, say, a first-edition comic book or vintage baseball card might.
If you have what you think may be a rare magazine, it would be wise to get a free iGuide Appraisal Report
Charities and Second-Hand Stores Won’t Take Them
If you're hoping to offload your collection to a charity or second-hand store, you might be disappointed. Organizations like Goodwill don’t typically accept Reader's Digest magazines due to lack of demand. In many cases, even if they did accept them, the magazines would sit unsold on shelves. The market for reselling them simply isn’t there.
A Collectible of the Past
Ultimately, while Reader's Digest had its moment of cultural relevance, that hasn't translated into lasting collectible value. The oversaturation of copies and the lack of significant demand all contribute to the magazine’s low standing in the collectible world. For most collectors, Reader's Digest is little more than a curiosity of a bygone era—an item whose marketability has long since faded away.
Summary
If you’re sitting on a stack of old Reader's Digest magazines hoping for a financial windfall, it’s safe to say that their value is negligible. Aside from the slim possibility of owning a rare or first edition, these magazines are better suited for recycling than for any serious collector's shelf.
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The National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. has published and circulated National Geographic Magazine every month since January 1896 (except for the years 1897 and 1917 when the magazine was published every other month). Nine issues were published between 1888 and 1891, before the magazine went monthly in 1896. Between 1891 and 1895, 27 so-called "brochures" were produced, making a total of 36 early publications. In those early years, the magazine covers were a red brick color. Altogether, there have been 6 different color designs up to the present.
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While African-American media have a much longer history and such newspapers as the Chicago Defender and The Abolitionist have had significant effects on American social history, the advent of Ebony in 1945 and Jet in 1951 brought African-American magazines to a mass audience. An interesting part of these magazines that seems to slip by many social historians, but not past collectors, are the ads that pioneered in their pages. For almost a century, the image of the African-American in magazine ads was typified by Cream of Wheat or Aunt Jemima. The success of Ebony and Jet in terms of circulation brought home to the advertising industry the neglected market of an emerging African-American middle class. For the first time, African-Americans were featured sipping a popular soft drink, dressed in the latest fashions or driving a car.
Both Ebony and Jet played a significant role in the civil rights movement. Collectible issues focus on both the historical aspect of their civil rights artciles and the socially significant effect of their advertisements.
The first issues of these magazines have the most monetary value, fetching as much as $20-$30 each to the right collector. The older issues are more valuable than the more modern ones, obviously. And, as in every thing, condition of the magazine is vital. Examples in extremely fine or near mint condition are collectible, while worn and tattered copies have little or no value.
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Eros Magazine volume 1 number 1 hit the stands in early 1962, and the U.S. government, apparently, was not ready for it. Accompanying the magazine was a newletter and a book. Eros is so tame by modern standards that it is hard to believe that less than 50 years ago the publisher was jailed for the act of publishing it. It was a high quality, hardcover magazine, with some serious discussion as well as a few nicely done photographs, including, in issue #3, the last studio portrait of Marilyn Monroe.
Eros lasted only four issues, despite its overwhelming success with the public. Ralph Ginzburg and other members of the Eros team were hounded through the courts, all the way to the top. In 1966, the Supreme Court upheld Ginzburg's conviction on obscenity charges as well as his five-year prison sentence. Despite its short life, Eros was the beginning of a new type of thought about sex in the U.S. Barney Rossett and Grove Press had begun to reprint the Olympia Press titles of Henry Miller and Pauline Reage, Hugh Hefner's Playboy was hitting new heights and the film I am Curious (Yellow) was driving the last nail into the coffin of the Hayes Office. The government was playing the role of the old lady, trying to sweep back the sea. Unfortunately for Ginzburg, he was the broom.
Eros is collected both as a significant piece of art and literature as well as a cornerstone of collections of banned and censored material. A complete set of four issues in extremely fine condition will sell for around $100.
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Fangoria Magazine volume 1 number 1 hit the stands in 1979, and is still being published today.
Fangoria back issues are greatly influenced by Fangoria's back-issue department. Many back issues are available directly through Fangoria at very reasonable prices; however, when an issue is no longer available through Fangoria, the value on that particular issue can increase considerably. In come cases, if a collector shops around or attends conventions, copies can be purchased for less than $1 each.
Fangoria is collected both as movie memorabilia as well as science fiction memorabilia. Issues vary in value from $2 - $20 depending on issue and condition.
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TV Guide was one of the most widely circulated magazines of all time. As a result, they are very common. Most have little or no value, but there are valuable exceptions to this rule. Some issues with significant value typically have cover photos of famous movie or television stars, or covers of special interest.
TREASURE — iGuide's List of Most Valuable TV Guides
There are many other valuable to semi-valuable TV Guides besides those listed below. If you want to know if yours are valuable, you need an iGuide Appraisal Report
April 3, 1953 — Volume 1 Number 1, the very first issue!
Sept. 25, 1953 — George Reeves of Adventures of Superman
July 17, 1954 — Roy Rogers of The Roy Rogers Show
October 23, 1954 — Walt Disney on Disneyland
September 8, 1956 — Elvis Presley, The Plain Truth About Elvis Presley
March 26, 1966 — Adam West of Batman
March 4, 1967 — William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek
March 26, 1966 — Adam West of Batman
Too good to toss
Common issues from the 1950s, and certain issues from the 1960s and 1970s have some minor value, usually less than $10 retail and $4 wholesale in almost new condition.
Trash
The VAST majority of old TV Guide magazines can be bought in large lots on eBay for 50 cents to $1 each depending on age. Modern issues from the 1980s and up are almost worthless.
Condition is key
As with all collectibles, the condition of the magazine is very important. If it's in 'like new' condition, it is worth 10 times more than the same issue in heavily worn condition.
Summary
With the exception of certain special issues from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, there is very little demand for old TV Guide magazines.
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In order to make a "sight unseen" bid for your old magazines, a magazine buyer needs to know certain key information. YOU SHOULD INCLUDE THIS INFO IN YOUR INITIAL LIST! If you are new to old magazine selling, building the list yourself can be a chore, but this article covers the main points and hopefully makes it a bit easier. Before you start off trying to sell your old magazines, you should make an inventory list. It will be the first thing any magazine buyer will ask for.
IMPORTANT: YOU SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFO IN YOUR LIST!
TITLE (always on the front cover; example: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC)
ISSUE DATE (always on the front cover, first page or inside front cover; example: June, 1947 issue)
CONDITION (used, torn, like new, VG, NM etc., just a best guess, even if you only say USED or LIKE NEW)
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