most valuable national geographic magazines

However it lacks a quality grading scale that would determine its value. Magazine Antiques Vol. Before digital prints became mainstream, you had to own a magazine or a news publication to read the news. But first, lets discover a little bit about the background of National Geographic magazines what makes them so famous and highly valued today? Before 1905, the magazine featured no photographs and covers that were primarily textual. New Scientist Magazine. Or form a valuable National Geographic collection? + Supplements for this year are difficult to find (4 of 12 issues w/supplements qualified for my top 3 w/o their supplement one worse than last year). MAGAZINE ESTIMATED VALUE/PRICE; MAD #9 Twin Cities 8.0 1954: Sold for $940: Popular Science August 1931: . Steve McCurry shot the photograph. Most are asking an average of $1.00 per issue but many of the sales are for multiple issues. eBay. Average price: $115, January, February, March, 1905. Castles in the Air - With 67 Illustrations and Map (16 Pages in Photogravure) The New Home of the National Geographic Society - with Illustrations: $8.00: $23.00: $15.25: May-14: Mexico & Mexicans, Birds of Town & Country, A Naturalist's Journey around Vera Cruz & Tampico, A Mexican Hacienda; Map of Mexico: $12.00: $31.00: $20.00: Jun-14 This historical data, combined with quantity published and quality definition should give the reader a basic understanding of the value for items being sold or purchased. These items tend to grow in value, especially as so much information is online nowadays and paper publications are slowing down. Here are five iconic covers and how they came to be. Find some cataloguing app tips here! Actually, this year marks the 130th year of publication of a magazine that has turned the science of geography into a household name. Feel free to contact me through eBay or the National Geographic Collectors Corner at any time. How can find out what they are worth. It is no surprise that National Geographic Magazine has amassed a huge readership over the decades, and a loyal one too. Copies with stains, creases, missing images or pages will go for the lowest price. Until that event, most collectors were content with starting their collection around 1920 (because the earlier issues were just too difficult and costly to obtain). 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In1910, the magazine published its first colored photographs five years later. Many of them dating back to the 1950. The first issue came out onSeptember 22, 1888. The transactions might not start happening instantly, so one must have patience, which shouldnt be hard for a true Nat Geo fan. Whether you are lucky enough to own a rare edition, or interested in forming a valuable collection of National Geographic magazines you have come to the right place! However, in 1904 the editor was instructed by the printer to add 11 more pages and being short of time, he simply inserted pictures, rather than text, of the Tibetan capital Lhasa. You can even try a cataloguing app which helps you to locate the information you need and track down to the precise issue the article was published in. Its believed that the California Redwood forest contains some of the tallest trees on Earth. Betsy the dog was a study subject for a test of intelligence and it turned out she knew over 200 words. Not only was production low preceding 1914, near 100K, the raw materials shortage of the war years (WWI) destroyed many paper products. 2023 VIP Art Fair Collectibles - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Kennedy Half Dollar Value Chart (1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972), Norman Rockwell Plates Value (One Plate Sold For $1,300! This gives them a special place in the hearts of many, and makes the issues highly collectable today. This issue of National Geographic Magazine opened the eyes of the public regarding Africans. 2 Aug. 1955. I have been asked many times over the years for information regarding the value of bound volumes. You can also indicate in the Collector's Forum the issues you're selling. 1908 $50.27 ($0.00) no sales qualified for top 3, 1909 - $47.08 (+$0.51), 1910 $34.98 (+$0.54), +1911 - $37.02 (+$3.31), 1912 - $34.93 (+$0.98), *1913 - $68.83 (+$0.11) (with April + supplement included), - $34.11 (+$0. Before this issue got published, Alaska joined the union in January of that year. Welcome toNational Geographic's Collectors Corner, 2023 Created by Cathy Hunter. Explore over 425 Million sold for prices with item details and images. At that time, the magazine onlyfeatured text. As such, you can determine your old National Geographic Magazines value with the steps below: This is one of the most vital determinants of an old National Geographic Magazines value. Ive recorded a validated first issue, October 1888, selling for just over $6,000. Volume 1, 1888: first publication. If you wish to read all about the Korean Peninsula, the texts from various issues would be just a click away. Life magazines with sports stars on the cover tend to be among the most valuable issues. Some of the factors to consider when taking care of your vintage National Geographic Magazines include: The National Geographic Magazine is an initiative by the National Geographic Society to educate the common person on geographical knowledge. Firstly, you have to know how the magazine you collect looks like. Reprint Sales (individual and bound volumes): I have generally NOT maintained records for reprint sales. A Book cover is something which grabs the attention of any viewer to make him look into the remaining content, NGM's choice of choosing out the right and prime picture for magazine cover is fascinating. A book dealer would have probably demanded $10,000. Of course, this choice is arbitrary, since every fan has his/her own selection from more than 1.500 covers published so far. When selling a collectable magazine online, it is useful to do a little research first to make sure you price your item correctly. This magazine has its roots in the United Kingdom and has been around since 1956. We have been discussing the physical appearance and perhaps forgot that the articles and images are the thing you became a collector in the first place. He admits that he got drawn to that haunting look in her green eyes. These cover pictures, which depict a photographers magic, highlight the most important topic of that issue. So, you can find some of these publications at online auctions, newspaper classified sales, and some online platforms. For example, a copy of the first issue magazine, October 1888, sells for just over $6,000. In August 2012, I expanded my data collection of eBay sales to include the years 1908 through 1917 inclusive. Michael required three weeks, lots of pulleys and rope, a large team, a gyroscope, and 84 differing images. Most common way of protecting copies are slipcases made from polyester than can hold up to 6 copies, i.e. Issues from between 1888-1900 usually fetch a few hundred USD. To this day, it serves as the testimony of the plight of civilians and especially children in war-torn regions. The Collector's Corner lists dealers who might be interested in your magazines. The magazine is known for its thick square-bound glossy format with a yellow rectangular border and its extensive use of dramatic photographs. If youre in a hurry and need to sell or buy today you are more than likely NOT going to get what you want OR you are going to pay a premium. 10 Most Valuable Lefton China Pieces (Rarest Sold For $1,295), Antique Cast Iron Stoves Value (Rarest & Most Valuable is Selling for $24,500), 1920 Singer Sewing Machine Value (Rarest Sold For $3,000), Most Valuable 1934 20 Dollar Bill (Rarest Sold For $40,800), 4 Most Valuable Antique Typewriter (Rarest Sold For $110,059), Antique Ruby Rings Value (Rarest & Most Valuable Sold For $2.6 Million), Antique Cast Iron Toy Value (Rarest & Most Valuable Sold For $13,500), Top 10 Antique Stores in Connecticut [Update 2023], THE 10 BEST Pennsylvania Antique Stores (with Photos), 10 Best Antiques Near Me in Fort Worth, TX, The 13 Most Valuable Disney Pins (Rarest Sold For $10,000), Most Valuable Rare Hummel Figurines (Rarest Sold For $5000+), 1941 Penny Value Chart (Worth Million Dollars? Remember, there is presently no accepted standard grading system for NGMs. Most of these books got published hundreds of years ago, with early production methods. Secondly, the magazine should have the visual appeal and has to be readable. After the NGS published the reprints, a complete collection (with reprints, of course) was now within the grasp of the average collector. 2022-10-24 admin. While your parents would have probably had to inventory everything by pen and paper, you can use your computer or mobile phone. A set of bound volumes from 1913 1987 sold for $1,000.00 on 22 June 2016. # The first observed eBay sale of an individual Volume 1, No. A few copies of this issue have even reached over $100,000! As the magazine increased in popularity, it became a matter of prestige to have your picture included in the magazine. Generally speaking, I have found the following decades (per issue)in the VG condition described above go for (sliding scale downward as you reach the end of the decade): 1910 - $35 (with war years sometimes asking more), 1940 - $7.50 (with war years sometimes asking more). I've tried selling them, with no luck, but don't want to just dump them. The publication regularly features cover stories about how people impact the environment and how the world can diminish the consequences ofglobalclimate change. NG magazines are indeed great for nature-lovers. Among the rarest National Geographic magazines is the issue of 1904 which is virtually impossible to acquire even in a lower, fine condition, because this was the very first year pictures were inserted into the magazine, as we explained earlier. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Oct 1959 National Geographic Magazine Antarctica Coral Reef Rocket Moon Adverts at the best online prices at eBay! Today, however, the covers always feature eye-catching professional photography and headlines. No matter how good the rest of the issue is, without an intact binding, it can be assessed no better than Good (G). Other striking images include the Gorilla with a camera, published in 1978. MAGAZINE ESTIMATED VALUE/PRICE; Popular Science August 1931: Sold for $750: The New Yorker V1 #1 1925: . In my opinion,use internet instead of subscribing. Many collectors cherish certain copies precisely because of the cover which they can relate to. However, elementary schools would mostly be in want of the magazine because the colorful images can be cut out by their students. Please review the notes below the table as my collection criteria can be a bit confusing, especially where it applies to year of bound issues: Volume Sale 1 Date Sale 2 Date, 1 $20,155.00 * none, 2 $8,400.00++ 4/6/12, 3 $13,201.00 * $5,500.00++ 4/6/12, 4 $5,000.00++ 8/18/11, 5 $2,550.00 * $1,020.00++ 4/6/12, 6 $1,530.00++ 4/6/12, 7 $1,050.00 ** $525.00 *, 8 $1,044.00 ** $522.00 *, 9 $1,245.00 ** $510.00+ ?/?/13, 10 $3,075.00 ** $1,025.00 *, 11 $662.00 ** $399.99+ 10/20/15, 12 $375.00 * $335.00+ 6/27/17, 13 $4,924.00 ** $912.00 *, 14 $371.00+ 6/27/17 $355.00 *, 15 $481.00 * $371.00+ 6/27/17, 16 $357.00 * $208.05+ 3/23/14, 17 $195.00+ 4/29/14 $152.50+ 6/27/17, 18 $202.50 * $180.00+ 8/4/12, 19 $356.00++ 6/15/17 $150.00++ 3/20/13, 20 $110.00+ 2/22/14 $107.00 *, 21 $69.00 Jan-Jun 1/11/14 $107.50 *, 22 $120.00 11/13/17 $105.00 *, 23 # $94.99 11/13/12 $79.99+ 10/22/12, 24 $199.99Jan-Jun 11/27/16 $175.00Jan-May11/16/17, 25 $70.00 8/16/14 $56.25 3/30/13, 26 ## ##, 27 $95.00 12/17/13 $50.00 5/13/13, 28 ## $50.00 , 29 ## $55.00 11/07/17, 30 $65.00 11/15/17 $55.00 11/07/17, 31 $49.95 4/11/14 $25.004/10/13, 32 ## $25.00 . When this magazine started, its dimensions were 69 12 inches; however, this became 710 inches in 1900. 11) (with April + supplement stripped out), 1914 - $29.17 (+$0.42), 1915 - $24.69 (+$0.35), 1916 - $20.37 (+$0.17), 1917 - $17.56 (+$0.50). See answer (1) Best Answer. For example, a photo from 1916 includes a label that refers to Australian Aborigines as savages with low intelligence. Interestingly enough, in all these countries National Geographic Magazine is readily available at newsstands, but back in the States, it was until recently only possible to get your copy if you subscribed. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE - SPECIAL COLLECTOR'S EDITION 2022 - 100 BEST PHOTOS. I also provide sales data for bound volumes and a summary of reprint sales, both bound and individual. What is your opinion? Copies without the renowned cover page missing can sacrifice 80% of their value. Even though it was in the era of mechanical cameras, he knew that the image would be spectacular. Im glad I waited for the right eBay moment! Protect the publications by placing them in slipcases or sturdy paper jackets. I have two additional guides: 1) a proposed grading scheme for the NGM (the one I use); and 2) a guide on reprint versions. Powered by, Badges | 14 - 18, $208.05 ?? This discussion led them to create a non-profit scientific society, and some months later, a National Geographic Magazine got printed. ), The 1982 Penny Value Chart (Most Valuable Penny Sold for $18,800), Most Valuable Antique and Vintage Vases: Identifying, Valuing and Buying (2023 Updated), A Detailed Outlook on the 2000 Sacagawea Dollar Value, Antique Floor Lamp: Identification, Valuation, And Buying Guide (2023 Updated). There were only 31 additions (7 for the year 1917 alone) for this 12 month revision out of 359 possible entries to my top 3 eBay sales for the years 1908 through 1917 inclusive. But before you get too excited, there are some factors that need to be considered age of the magazine, its condition, and even its content. It depicted the US flag fluttering from a flagpole. A more subjective reason for its scarcity comes with an understanding of what happened back in the early 1960's when the NGS reprinted the first 20 years of the National Geographic Magazine. (AP = Atlas Plate) 1889. National Geographic magazine was first published in 1888, and by 1940 over a million copies of each magazine were printed each year, making the magazines printed before 1920 the most valuable. After it has been looked at once it is worth about 25 cents on the resale market. This article will guide you on the ten most valuable National Geographic Magazines and how to get yours. National Geographic is one of the oldest and most prestigious monthly magazines still in print. The first volume consists of 4 issues, and the second volume consists of 5 issues. The value of National Geographic magazines depends on date, rarity, cover features, articles, and overall significance. This is because very few issues were published back in the day - around 10,000 copies of each compared to the approximately 10 million copies of every magazine published today! Conversations with a Gorilla culled from Medium.com. From the beginning of my data collection in 2008 I have maintained data on the highest two bound volume sales from 1888 through 1914. Required fields are marked *. As an NGM enthusiast I dread the thought of destroying the aging magazines, but I understand your frustration. Do you want to add to your rare magazine collection? Wiki User. )Continue, The sweet teddy ornaments, widely known as Cherished Teddies, can have quite a high value! Average price: $140, October, 1909: discovery of the North Pole. Stars on the cover tend to grow in value, especially as so much information online... 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