Are Old National Geographics Worth Any Money

Are your old magazines worth anything? Find out with the definitive guide to selling magazines

Have you kept your favorite issue of Sports Illustrated for decades? Stumbled upon a box of old National Geographic editions in Grandma'due south attic? Found your dad'south long-lost stash of Playboy? Wonder if those old magazines are worth anything? Hither, we prove you lot what makes magazines valuable, how to determine their values, and where to sell them.

Contents

• The most valuable magazines in the world
• What makes a mag valuable?
• How to tell how much your magazines are worth
• Where to sell onetime magazines
• Magazine selling tips

New and sometime books:  What's valuable and what'due south notLearn more

The nigh valuable magazines in the earth

Well-nigh magazines are worth between $5 and $20, though some are quite valuable. Here are estimated values and real-globe auction prices for a selection of notable magazines.

MAGAZINE	ESTIMATED VALUE/PRICE
Playboy V1 #1 (Marilyn Monroe) Mint Condition	Up to $635,000
Beeton'southward Christmas Almanac 1887 (Sherlock Holmes)	Up to $156,000
Playboy V1 #1 (Marilyn Monroe) Good Condition	Up to $2,100
Sports Illustrated Nov. 29, 1963 (Roger Staubach)	Upward to $1,800
Monster Parade #1	Sold for $one,180
MAD #9 Twin Cities 8.0 1954	Sold for $940
Pop Science August 1931	Sold for $750
The New Yorker V1 #1 1925	Sold for $450
Famous Monsters of Filmland #1	Sold for $375
National Geographic Apr 1913 (Machu Picchu)	Sold for $300

In 2007, a copy of Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887 sold at a Sotheby's auction for $156,000. To-engagement, that stands as the highest price ever paid for a magazine – but that doesn't make information technology the most valuable magazine in the earth. In 2010, another copy of that aforementioned issue fetched a $445,000 bid, only the bid didn't meet the reserve and the sale did not have place.

Magazine pricing service Nostomania pegs Playboy equally publishing the 3 most valuable magazine bug in the world. If you happen to take the first edition of Playboy (V1 #1) featuring Marilyn Monroe in perfect mint status, it's worth as much as $635,000. Before you kickoff building your mansion, know that it's highly unlikely you have a Playboy – or any magazine – in mint condition.

In fact, Nostomania states it's unaware of whatever mag issue that has always been graded at a perfect mint 10.0 condition. The site uses a baseline of 9.4 (near mint) to create its list of the 100 nearly valuable magazines, and even and so states that many of the magazines on the list practise not exist in that high of a form.

More realistically, whatever magazines you accept are probable to grade somewhere between 2.0 (proficient) and 6.0 (fine), with the average mag grading around 4.0 (very good) and 5.0 (very good/fine).

That doesn't mean they can't be valuable: that Marilyn Monroe Playboy is still worth up to $2,100 in good condition (4.0) and $4,500 in fine (half dozen.0) condition. We'll become into more detail near how condition affects value below.

Source: Live Auction Grouping

What makes a mag valuable?

Simply put, a magazine's value is adamant by how much someone will pay for information technology. Unlike many fields, magazines aren't typically purchased to add together to a "magazine drove," but equally secondary pieces for a main drove.

For case, Beeton's Christmas Annual 1887 isn't prized because it's a Christmas edition of Beeton's, but because it's the first fourth dimension Sherlock Holmes appeared on a printed page (Arthur Conan Doyle'southward "A Study of Cerise"). Thus, this issue is valuable to people who collect Sherlock Holmes.

Phone To Sell? Find Trade In & Cash Value ›

"Look for magazines that have content that is nerveless in other fields," says appraiser John Henley. "Sherlock Holmes book collectors desire copies of the Strand Magazine that ran the stories before they were published as books. Some scientific discipline fiction collectors desire pulp magazines or fifty-fifty science fiction digest magazines with start appearances by Philip K. Dick or Frank Herbert. You take to explore the markets for all kinds of collectibles to sympathise what magazines will likely fetch higher amounts of money."

Source: Wikimedia Commons Characteristics that contribute to magazine value include:

• First literary appearances
• Edition (first editions tin exist valuable)
• Date
• Photographs
• Popular civilisation
• Artistic merit
• Age
• Current trends
• Celebrated events
• Cover art
• Advertisements
• Featured celebrities and sports stars
• Misprints and mistakes
• Rarity
• Demand
• Status
• Certification status (f the magazine has been certified past a qualified appraiser)
• Signatures and inscriptions
• Niche/collectible involvement
• Complete collections

Special covers and inserts can also enhance magazine value, according to Cole Ferry, owner and senior appraiser of W.C Ferry and Assembly.

"The first two issues of Sports Illustrated are prized because of color and blackness-and-white baseball cards that were included in the issues," he says. "Likewise, on November 29, 1963, Life originally published a cover of quarterback Roger Staubach but recalled the seven-million-result run to supersede the cover with news of Kennedy's assassination. Today, the issue – when found – may retail for as much as $one,800."

Source: Further Off the Wall with Tom Offarth (InsideCoCal.com)

Magazine artwork can significantly increase a given upshot'south value. For example, Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post covers and Winslow Homer's Harper's Weekly illustrations are the reasons those publications have involvement and value, says Cole. Henley adds that magazines featuring photographs by Minor White tin as well be valuable.

What well-nigh those boxes of National Geographic? "Even depression-value magazines such equally National Geographic – sorry to all those who have stacks of them – take back cover Coca-Cola ads that are prized, especially those with Santa Claus," Cole says.

When it comes to magazines, there are no rules for what makes a given result valuable to 1 person and non another. Ane person might want a National Geographic consequence because it features a destination they in one case visited, while another might exist interested in a Rolling Stones issue because it features the Beatles on the cover. Yet another person might want a given magazine considering it was published on their altogether or wedding day.

"A potential buyer might find an article or an paradigm that might compel them to purchase the magazine," says Dale Sorenson, of Dale A. Sorenson Appraisals. "Someone wants the magazine for some reason for which they might pay more than than the original list cost."

"This is a very complex result, but equally a rule, magazine collecting is a second-tier form of collecting to fill out a larger collection of first-tier items," explains Henley. "Like Sherlock Holmes collectors first getting their volume collection, then filling out their magazine collection, then getting their Sherlock Holmes wardrobe collection, and so on."

Source: National Geographic

How to tell how much your magazines are worth

Despite and so many variables, you lot accept several options for determining mag values. Start past understanding what, exactly, you accept.

Know what you take

Begin by listing everything you lot know about your magazine, including:

• Date, edition, and volume
• Notable articles or writers
• Featured celebrities or sports stars
• Embrace fine art, interior artwork, and photography
• Articles and content
• Notable advertisements

Next, determine the status of your magazines. The grades are listed beneath, but bank check out Nostomania'southward guide to mag conditions for full details and examples.

GRADE	Status	DESCRIPTION
ten.0	Gem Mint	Absolutely perfect condition, as though it was never handled
9.nine	Mint	Nearly perfect. Subtle flaws only. Sharp corners. No creasing, fierce, or browning
nine.viii	About Mint/Mint	A few very minor flaws. Precipitous corners. No creasing, trigger-happy, or browning
ix.half dozen	Near Mint+	Minor imperfections. Appears unread. No creasing or tearing. Pages could be slightly off-white
9.4	Near Mint	Pocket-sized imperfections.Appears equally though it was read once or twice. No creasing or tearing, except very small-scale bindery tears
nine.2	Virtually Mint-	Small imperfections. Appears every bit though information technology was read a few times. Corners may take pocket-size blunting. A single small crease is immune
ix.0	Very Fine/Near Mint	Appears carefully handled. Limited number of flaws. Corners may show small-scale wear. Encompass may have minor wear
8.5	Very Fine+	Similar to 9.0, but might take lightly tanned pages and a small tear
8.0	Very Fine	Minor handling wear. Minor comprehend soiling. Small slice may be missing. Small cover crease allowed
vii.5	Very Fine-	Minor handling vesture. Slightly discolored pages. Express number of bindery/printing flaws. Small cover crease and minor soiling
7.0	Fine/Very Fine	Above average with modest wearable. Blunted corners. Slightly faded cover, modest creases, soiling, and wear
half-dozen.5	Fine+	Above boilerplate with minor wear. Tanned pages. Pocket-sized staple tears and discoloration
6.0	Fine	Above boilerplate with pocket-size clothing. Minor to moderate encompass creases. Loose centerfold
5.5	Fine	Above average with minor clothing. Appears to have been read several times. Spine may take small dissever with color breaks. Small slice may be missing
5.0	Very Good/Fine	Boilerplate used re-create. Appears to have been gear up many times. Moderate spine roll or split. Missing corner triangle. Cover habiliment
four.5	Very Skillful+	Average used re-create with significant vesture. Cover may have subscription crease. Cover soiling. Page discoloration. Minor tears
iv.0	Very Good	Like to 4.five, but centerfold may be loose and detached at one staple
iii.v	Very Good-	Additional tearing, creasing, and colour breaks allowed. Centerfold may exist detached. Slightly rounded corners
3.0	Good/Very Skillful	Meaning wear, notwithstanding notwithstanding complete. Rounded corners. Additional tearing, creasing, and color breaks
2.v	Good+	Significant wear, yet even so complete. Pocket-sized corner or border piece may be missing
2.0	Good	Significant wearable, nevertheless still complete. Piffling to no reflectivity left on cover. Embrace and centerfold may be discrete
1.8	Good-	Very rough, yet still consummate
ane.5	Fair/Good	Very rough, appears as though it wasn't cared for, notwithstanding still consummate
1.0	Fair	Very heavy wear, yet still includes a comprehend
0.five	Poor	Very heavy wear, missing embrace
0.3	Incomplete	Portions of the mag are missing

Y'all might note that condition classification remains fairly positive, even at the lower end of the grading scale.

"Since magazines are imperceptible in nature – that is, they were never meant to be saved – they are graded on a much more forgiving scale than fine art," explains Ferry. "The highest designation of status given is usually fine. Mint or unread copies, unless acquired directly from the publisher, are rarely found. Torn covers, loose bindings, inept tape repairs, and missing pages are all factors in designations that may run from good to fair to poor."

Magazines non worth much? Many phones are worth $100+. Find the value of your phone.

That is to say, don't exist discouraged simply because your magazines aren't in mint condition. Though status does significantly impact value, even some incomplete problems tin be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Notwithstanding, it'due south smart to atmosphere your expectations.

"It is a cold, difficult fact that most magazines are of very minor value, ofttimes betwixt $5 and $20," says Ferry.

It can have years for an appraiser to learn how to properly grade magazines, which is why bug certified by appraisers or a service such as CGC Magazines are more valuable than those that are not certified. CGC charges anywhere from $28 to $77 per graded mag, though those price tiers have limits to how much your mag can exist worth to qualify.

PastPaper.com as well offers mag grading services, though no price is listed. Keep in heed that grading and appraising are two different services. Grading only tells you what condition your magazine is in; a seasoned appraiser tin can tell yous how much it's worth.

Auction houses, bookstores, and antique stores might also be able to aid with assessing the condition of your magazines.

How to determine how much your magazine is worth

Once yous know what magazine you take and its status, y'all can use several tools to determine how much it's worth.

Nostomania
One of the near comprehensive online resources for mag values, Nostomania gives magazine values based on real-world sales and its own algorithm. Pricing is as low as $ii.99 per month, though it comes with a free trial. Its database offers pricing for 195 different magazines, so it's worth giving the free trial a go to see if they offer values for your magazine.

Antique Trader's Vintage Magazines
An exceptional guide to magazine values equally well equally extensive information on what makes magazines valuable, including "sleepers" that might surprise. You tin can find the paperback for less than $10, or purchase an ebook copy for around $20. The book was published in 2005, so the values aren't necessarily upwards-to-date, but you can get a good idea for what your magazines might be worth and the groundwork information is pure gilt for collectors and sellers.

eBay
What ameliorate manner to see how much money you can go for your mag than to see how much like copies take recently sold for? Search for your magazine on eBay, then bank check the left sidebar box to show but sold listings. Now, you tin scroll through the results to see how much your outcome has recently sold for. Pay attention to conditions!

Did You Know? Some VHS & Beta tapes are worth hundreds Learn more

WorthPoint Worthopedia
WorthPoint's Worthopedia draws data from more than 350 sources – including eBay – to help you lot value your one-time magazines. The service costs $xix.99 per month, but offers a vii-day free trial – perfect if you have only a few magazines to research.

VintageMagazines.com
A good resource for hard-to-find magazines. Information technology doesn't list how much magazines take recently sold for, but it does take its ain store with clearly-labeled magazine prices. Y'all can use those prices equally a guideline for how much your magazines are worth.

Past Paper
Though its website is dated, Past Paper boasts an enormous number of mag listings. You lot tin can browse for your magazine to see how much information technology's listed for, and use that as a guide to set your ain pricing.

Back Issues
Browse or search for your magazine, and Dorsum Problems will take y'all to its online store where you can view pricing. Once again, use it equally a guide to set up your own price.

2Neat Magazines
2Neat specializes in Life magazines; browse or search for your consequence to see how much they're selling information technology for. You can besides check out its second site for issues of Expect, Saturday Evening Postal service, and Liberty.

Have information technology appraised
More than valuable magazines often crave the help of an appraiser, who might charge $250 per hour or more, with a full fee ranging from $2,500 to $vii,500 depending on the amount of research and travel required. Having your magazines appraised volition give yous the best idea of their values.

However, appraisals tin can exist expensive and are best-reserved for magazines you know are valuable. Your best bet is to showtime enquiry your magazine online, and if it appears to be very valuable you can enlist the services of an appraiser.

Thinking about getting an appraisal? Don't miss our expert advice

"Formal, written appraisals of large collections may be costly, but essential for proper insurance coverage, donations to a nonprofit institution, or for real estate purposes," says Ferry.

He adds that qualified appraisers must exist compliant with Uniform Standards of Professional person Appraisal Exercise (USPAP) and certify the written report accordingly. You can likely get an estimate of full costs to make up one's mind whether a total appraisal is worth the investment.

Y'all tin can detect quality appraisers through the American Order of Appraisers, the Appraisers Association of America, the Ephemera Society of America, or the International Social club of Appraisers; or, consult with one of the experts who contributed to this commodity:

• John Henley
• Cole Ferry
• Dale Sorenson

Source: Pinterest

Where to sell sometime magazines

Once you know how much your magazine is worth, you accept a multifariousness of selling options.

eBay
The online auction site is a popular place to sell magazines for a diversity of reasons. Starting time, you're typically selling directly to collectors, so you're able to become a practiced price (whereas dealers must buy at a lower cost so they can profit from markups). 2nd, the sale format tin drive upwards prices for in-need issues and collections – fifty-fifty in a higher place retail market place value, which tin can help starting time the cost of eBay's seller fees (10% with a maximum of $750).

Etsy
Etsy might not exist the first site that comes to mind when y'all call up about selling magazines, but the service boasts a robust community of magazine buyers and sellers – peculiarly for vintage bug. Again, you lot're selling direct to collectors, but without an auction format. Fees are $0.20 per listing, plus 6.75% in transaction and payment processing fees.

Abe Books
Though primarily an online bookstore, Abe Books has a large "magazines and periodicals" category. You can list your magazines for sale on their store for $25 per month (plus an 8% committee fee and 3.5% to 5.5% payment processing fee).

Other websites
Several websites buy old magazines, each with its own policies and interests. When you deal directly with websites, yous don't have to wait to see if your listing will sell via online stores or sale sites. However, websites are dealers, and then y'all won't get meridian dollar for your magazines. Search for websites that buy and sell magazines past title or that deal in specific collectible disciplines. Four websites that purchase magazines directly from sellers are:

• Vintage Magazines
• Vintage Pulps
• Dorsum to the By
• Back Problems

Auction Houses
Contact auction houses to see if your magazines would be a skillful fit for an upcoming auction. Auction houses are possibly best-suited for high-value issues. Auction houses can help you command college prices for your magazines, just they'll also take a hefty fee – likely around 25% of the sold price. Find one by checking out Artnet'southward comprehensive list of auction houses.

Flea markets and antique shows
Collectors routinely scan flea markets and antique shows, searching for new additions to their collections. The only fee is the cost-of-entry, and you tin can reach many potential buyers in a single day. If you have just one or two magazines to sell, you lot tin can attend every bit a company: visit dealer booths and keep an heart out for buyers. These resources will assistance you lot find flea markets and antique shows in your area:

• State Living: 26 of the best antique shows in America
• AmericanFleas: State-past-country directory of flea markets
• Flea Market Finder: Another directory of flea markets
• Calendar of Antiques: Nationwide antiques show calendar

Used bookstores and antiquarian stores
You can sell your magazines directly to dealers, which could help yous earn a quick auction merely likely won't cyberspace you the nigh cash, since they must profit from resale. Still, if you don't want to go through the hassle of listing your magazines online, visiting flea markets and antiques shows, or waiting for your mag to sell, you can probably cash in speedily at used bookstores and flea markets.

Effort FleaQuest to detect antiquarian stores, and use IndieBound or Biblio to find contained used bookstores. AntiqueMalls.com is an excellent resource for finding antique malls. Trussel.com as well has a nice list of bookstores by specialty.

Pawn shops
Some pawn shops will buy onetime magazines. Like dealers, they must profit from resale so you lot won't get the most money for your collection. The trade-off is yous'll go fast cash – if your local pawn shop is an interested buyer. Notice pawn shops about you on PawnFyndr, PawnShops.cyberspace, and Pawn Shop Listings.

Are your encyclopedias worth anything? Find Out

Private collectors
This volition require some enquiry, but could potentially net yous the most money if you lot can find a buyer who desperately wants to add together your magazines to their collection. Search for collectors past magazine championship, celebrity, author, artist, photographer, ring, movie franchise, sport, fashion, history, and other topics to detect potential buyers, then reach out to them straight.

Another strategy is to search for relevant forums and Facebook groups. For example, you might search for "Life magazine collector forum" or "Elvis Presley collectors group." Join whatever relevant forums and groups, place classifieds ads, check out the "wanted to buy" sections, and bulletin collectors straight. Source: Pinterest

Magazine selling tips

These tips will help yous go the virtually money for former magazines:

• Keep magazines in pristine condition: store them in acid-free plastic and out of sunlight in dry, fair temperatures. Every bit Ferry puts it, "Damp basements and overheated attics are the worst places to store these fragile paper items."
• Conduct your research: Do your best to empathise what you have, what status it is in, and what it might be worth before you lot try to sell information technology.
• Have it appraised and certified: If your magazine is valuable, getting it certified by a respected authority tin brand it worth even more.
• Know your buyers: Consider every possible reason someone might desire to buy your magazine. Sorenson says: "A friend of mine sells books and magazines online. With magazines, in his descriptions he mentions several of those manufactures that he thinks might however exist topical and includes many pictures of the visual aspects that might capture a buyer's attention. Someone might buy an issue of Life considering it has his nascency appointment. Another person might purchase that aforementioned issue because it has a cover picturing General MacArthur, while someone else might buy that same magazine considering it as a nice colour ad of an antique care that they have restored. Each one of those buyers might non pay the same price for what they want."

Though it'south truthful most magazines are worth very little, it's likewise true that even low-value magazines can add upward; later all, a stack of 100 National Geographic issues valued at $5 each is still worth $500. Use the resources in this article to determine how much your magazines are worth and observe buyers and so you can plow Dad's old stash into cash.

Sell your old magazines

People ofttimes enquire united states of america who to contact about selling their old magazines. These stores are practiced places to start. They buy old magazines and will frequently provide quotes when you accurately describe what y'all have.

Related Help

Source: https://flipsy.com/article/951/old-magazine-worth-50000-heres-sell

Posted by: coreyittly1942.blogspot.com

Share this post