Do your research! As of two years ago, the magazine can be read even in Kazakh language. No matter which way you go - it sounds like a lot of work. In the years that followed, they established a world-wide network of photographers for whom it became a matter of prestige to have their photos published in National Geographic Magazine. These impactful issues have stuck with people through the years, often representing important events in human and natural history. These items tend to grow in value, especially as so much information is online nowadays and paper publications are slowing down. This 1930s Barbasol advertisement recently sold for $12.95, which may not sound like a lot, but it is just one page from a magazine! 8 National Geographic Magazines Random Lot 1980's - 2010's No Duplicates. There are some anomalies,e.g. This issue has a much sought after pictorial that was quite often cut out of the magazine, thus making a complete issue (with supplement) hard to find. The latter is self-explanatory: dont let water contaminate the precious magazines. This year saw the publication of a special issue on race, entitled Black and White. On its cover, there are two girls who are twins, but are of different skin color. Find some cataloguing app tips here! A set of bound volumes from 1913 1987 sold for $1,000.00 on 22 June 2016. On September 22nd 2018, the National Geographic Society celebrates its 130th birthday.. If there are pages missing, the text is damaged or there are stains, all these factors significantly decrease the value. Many thanks for this helpful information and for such a quick reply. National Geographic magazines are iconic and highly valued in the collectible world. Highest of 27 bids: $50.36 "Sports Afield" January 1939 and "Field & Stream" 1940 with an article on Clark Gable. eBay. Altruistic motives set aside, the magazine is essentially highly collectable. For this guide I collect sales data, price and quality, for each National Geographic Magazine (NGM) sold on eBay that was published by the National Geographic Society (NGS) from October 1888 through December 1917. However, that first journey got shown on live TV, and up to 600 million people worldwide watched it. Facebook. Of course, this choice is arbitrary, since every fan has his/her own selection from more than 1.500 covers published so far. Voracious readers often ask themselves are old National Geographic magazines worth any money? The value of your old National Geographic magazines can even be worth thousands of dollars. The Most Valuable Magazines in the World Most magazines cost between $5 and $20, although some are very valuable. Discover more about National Geographic Kids magazine, below. This means that the first two volumes that got published and those that came a few years after that. The first National Geographic Magazine was published October 1888. Not only was production low preceding 1914, near 100K, the raw materials shortage of the war years (WWI) destroyed many paper products. Powered by, Badges | This first year began with 165 members. I like to useVery Good (VG) as a benchmark {there exists no accepted standard grading system for NG magazines though I am trying to address this with my Grading Guide}andwould describe this quality as: "There can be minor soiling, creasing (two minor tears) with moderate surface wear on the cover with moderate reflectivity andfading. With all these, he was able to capture the magnificence of some of the tallest trees on Earth. Although the advent of the internet has reduced its readership, many subscribers refuse to part with it. 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! Compared to the 10 million copies of todays issues, the beginning of the century issues had little over 10.000 copies. Many readers lauded the January edition of the 1905 publication because of its captivating pictures. It primarily . Copies with stains, creases, missing images or pages will go for the lowest price. 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! Many thanks again for your valuable help and willingness to share your experience and expertise with others which is very much appreciated. Some of the National Geographic Magazines that got sold on eBay include: It was established above that the rarest and the most valuable National Geographic Magazines are the premier versions. So, you can find some of these publications at online auctions, newspaper classified sales, and some online platforms. Im glad I waited for the right eBay moment! The magazine features scholarly articles aboutgeography,cartography,anthropology,medicine,outer space,society, culture, andhistory. While the first issue will generally fetch upwards of $4000, the usual range is from $7-9,000, with a very few sales over the $10,000 mark. National Geographic Kids magazine is an exciting monthly read for planet-loving kids, aged 7 - 12! They were black and white, with boring scientific texts and meteorological maps making up their pages. After WWII, the print run measured in millions, and as of 1995 it was printed in Japanese, which was the first non-English edition. 8 Which is the most valuable National Geographic cover? Here are the (usual) formats from most to least valuable: Format Includes (all volume issues in numerical sequence) plus the following, 1a. While the initial issue will often cost north of $4000, the typical range is $7-9,000, with very few transactions exceeding $10,000. The man from Ethiopia culled from Biblio.com. 2011 Volumes 1-8, w/o supplements (library set), $975.00 9 May 2013 Volumes 1-8, w/supplements, $1,200.00 20 February 2015 (+ bound Vols. It can be useful to consider forming some kind of labelling and filing system, to help you or future generations find the exact copy theyre looking for. "magazines" via media mail because of their "advertisements.". Some of the most popular collectible maps are those issued as supplements to National Geographic Magazine. To this day, it serves as the testimony of the plight of civilians and especially children in war-torn regions. New Scientist Magazine. By 1925 more than 990,000copies per issuewere published each month. Volumes 1 & 2; 3 & 4; 5 & 6 were each bound as one book. This button displays the currently selected search type. Copies without the renowned cover page missing can sacrifice 80% of their value. Buying or selling on eBay can have unseen hazards for the uninitiated but a cautious and determined approach for either selling or buying has its rewards. Ive been collecting data since December 2008; this is my seventh revision since 2010. Are any National Geographic magazines worth anything? This first year began with 165 members. There are some content criteria, however, that are fairly standard objective variables for determining value. 1, No.1 reprinted in 1975 (special identifier printed within), Volumes 8-18 (1898 1907) 500 copies per issue 1,500. Generally speaking, good quality magazines are relatively easy to come by beginning with 1920, moderately difficult from 1907 to 1919, and increasingly difficult (and costly)as you slip back in years earlier than 1907. Since then, the National Geographic Magazine got published every month. Title Page of National Geographic Magazine 1889 issue, culled from Biodiversity Heritage Library, Title Page of National Geographic Magazine 1890 issue, culled from Biodiversity Heritage Library, Title Page of National Geographic Magazine 1891 issue, culled from Biodiversity Heritage Library, Title Page of National Geographic Magazine 1892 issue, culled from Biodiversity Heritage Library, Title Page of National Geographic Magazine 1893 issue, culled from Biodiversity Heritage Library, Title Page of National Geographic Magazine 1895 issue, culled from Biodiversity Heritage Library, Title Page of National Geographic Magazine 1896 issue, culled from Biodiversity Heritage Library, Title Page of National Geographic Magazine 1990 issue, culled from Biodiversity Heritage Library, Title Page of National Geographic Magazine 1904 issue, culled from Biodiversity Heritage Library. Most commonly, the maps originated from the journeys National Geographic photographers took into various parts of the world. You can see this from the pictures on the front covers, which usually feature trending characters or pop culture icons. Too high and no one will be interested, too low and people may be suspicious that there is something wrong with the item. Look at all the details, and go for listings with plenty of photos and a thorough description of any damages. only 1,000 were produced. Although it can be tempting to keep your magazine collection nice and flat by stacking the magazines on top of one another, this is a bad idea in the long-term. Back to top 2) Playboy V1 #1 Red Star Variant CGC NM 9.4 Value: $71,000.00 Notes: Marilyn Monroe cover. A few copies of this issue have even reached over $100,000! Before this issue got published, Alaska joined the union in January of that year. 45 loose reprints from 1889-1905 sold for $308.00 on 18 Feb 2016. The first issue came out onSeptember 22, 1888. Be advised that this single-picking is the most costly means of purchasing. This plain cover became the routine of later publications until 1959, when illustrations got introduced on the cover. 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! I have captured the highest three sales per issue per year (discarding lower priced sales). The National Geographic section of eBay is an excellent place to start looking, to get an idea of prices whether you are buying or selling. A set of bound volumes from 1914 1931 sold for $500.00 on 5 Aug 2013. This is where modern technology steps into place. More Buying Choices $8.00 (7 new offers) Seems to me you can still sell the individual magazines for their ads, and let the purchaser tear them apart. Ideally in a box or cupboard where there is no risk of dropping or ruining it. But I've also seen a Fine August 1905 with map supplement go for $27. Average price: $30, February, 1914: Map of Alaska. So what is its value? 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. Dont be afraid to ask the seller questions to find out a little more about your valuable purchase, for example details about the condition. For example, a photo from 1916 includes a label that refers to Australian Aborigines as savages with low intelligence. In response to several inquiries as to why the April 1913 issue has become so costly as well as inquiries as to why it is difficult to find Very Good copies of the early to mid-teen years, I submit the following discussion. This forced Steve McCurry to search for the girl from time to time with the National Geographic team. Please note that this is not a definitive guide values depend on several factors and cannot be definitively stated. I acquired a beautiful 1907 leather bound complete year with all covers, ads, index and map for $202.50 on eBay. However, their relationship changed over time from that of a researcher and a subject to friends. Average price: $210-340, January, 1896: start of the regular monthly publication. However, some issues are much more valuable, including thefirst(most commonly a reprint),complete sets(especially if they arevintage issues), those that feature asignificant topicorphotograph, andvintage publicationsthat are difficult to find. In addition, there have been many re-prints of the pre-1896 issues (that year it became a monthly), which are indistinguishable from the original, so you have to leaf carefully through each copy. My observations indicate sales have generally been sluggish and diminished in value as evidenced by 10 years showing no added sales, 5 years showing less than a positive $3 adjustment and the 3 years showing negative adjustments mentioned above. Basically, the further you go back in time, the higher the price gets. $4.49 delivery Feb 15 - 21 . (Note: This is an indicator that binding actually reduces the value of individual issues.). Explorers House: National Geographic and the World It Madeby Robert M. Poole. National Geographic has a consumer rating of 3.32 stars from 28 reviews indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. In this, Read More Cherished Teddies Value (Most Valuable Rare One Sold For $600+)Continue, Usually we focus on specific coins and paper money which are very rare and very valuable. MAGAZINE ESTIMATED VALUE/PRICE; Popular Science August 1931: Sold for $750: The New Yorker V1 #1 1925: . Free shipping for many products! Few people today have never seen the famous June 1985 cover of the National Geographic magazine with the Afghan girl with green eyes. P.S. This first year began with 165 members. In the manner of the bog bodies of which one can read in Nat Geo, the best way to store the magazines is actually the simplest: keep them as you set them down. In 1904, an editor made a last-minute decision to fill out the content with several full-page images. Oct - Asheville District. I hope this helps! eBay. The most valuable magazines in the world. Comprehensive as it may seem, it just cannot replace that feeling of holding the yellow-squared leaves of paper and going through halftone images. In August 2012, I expanded my data collection of eBay sales to include the years 1908 through 1917 inclusive. The first image appeared in July 1959, portraying The Star Spangled Banner flying from a pole. The first National Geographic Magazine was published October 1888. In addition to the monthly issues, National Geographic Magazine has had several special issues over the years. According to Wikipedia, the magazine has a worldwide circulation in 32 languages of almost 9 million. The May 1, 1939 issue with Joe DiMaggio on the cover is also quite valuable. Facebook How Much Are National Geographic Magazines Worth. However, sales of lower amounts for these formats have been observed. After it has been looked at once it is worth about 25 cents on the resale market. As a 24-year-old graduate student, Patterson met Koko in 1971 at the San Francisco Zoo for the first time. Psychologist and researcher Penny Patterson taught a female western lowland gorilla sign language. Today, however, the covers always feature eye-catching professional photography and headlines. You wont find any nude or inappropriate photos on its pages, rendering the magazine suitable for all ages. This is one popular National Geographic magazine issue that focuses on archaeological discoveries. PRICING & COLLECTING INFO: The earliest issues of National Geographic are the most valuable, especially the first volume, which ocnsisted of only 4 issues. (TIMING!). The magazines logo is a yellow rectangle, representing the yellow border around every cover. Over the years,National Geographichas expanded its publishing presence. 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. It is natural that you will want to protect your valuable item carefully, to preserve it for the future. Although this magazine started as just words on paper, the importance of pictures got unveiled later. Since the first issue came out in October 1888, the magazine has had thousands of issues internationally, which makes even keeping track of all of them an impossible task. That is, volumes bound with covers and ads tend to be more valuable than volumes with these items stripped out (which was the most common practice) such that the numerical sequence of pages forms a standard book format. The magazine, published by the National Geographic Society, specialises in reporting on world issues, intriguing stories, and incredible photos. This Bo Jackson magazine ad recently sold for $9.99. The Society generally published only a few extra magazines above the membership numbers, thus the rarity of the first eight years of publications known as the "red brick" issues. 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? National Geographicis an American magazine specializing ineducating the publiconscience,history, andculture. Professional photojournaliststake most of the pictures. ), Supplements, volume title page, contents listing, and index (no covers/ads most common practice), Supplements, volume title page and contents listing, Missing supplements (with or without volume title page, contents listing, and index). By 1905 more than 10,000copies per issuewere published each month beginning with the April issue. The first issue was produced in October 1888, and for the first 14 years the magazines were published in black and white. In the end, dont forget to organize your collection as well as label it for easier access in the future. You can also indicate in the Collector's Forum the issues you're selling. Now climate change, pollution, and invasive species threaten their. WOW! Collaborative site for collectors, dealers, & anyone interested in our history. VINTAGE 1921 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 10 MAGAZINES W / 3 MAPS GOOD CONDITION. 5 Nov. 1953, Magazine Antiques Vol. I've tried selling them, with no luck, but don't want to just dump them. These factors affect the ultimate value of that publication. Listed as an original, one of each Volume I, No 2 & 4 1922 reprints, were auctioned at $1,125.00 apiece. ** The winner of these volumes during the 1/18/10 auction subsequently resold these volumes (non-eBay sale) at the price shown. The above are some of the most valuable editions of National Geographic Magazines out there. The magazine is known for its thick square-bound glossy format with a yellow rectangular border and its extensive use of dramatic photographs. The ones that are worth the most. A current issue of Nat Geo has a newsstand price of $6 (although you can get a subscription of 12 issues for $15). The Post Office will not ship (declared hint! For example, a copy of the first issue magazine, October 1888, sells for just over $6,000. I joined the forum just yesterday and am already becoming quite enthusiastic in pursuing collecting NG mags as a retirement hobby. Do you want to add to your rare magazine collection? These cover pictures, which depict a photographers magic, highlight the most important topic of that issue. As such, any form of improper handling can lead to them coming apart, their words fading, or the pages crumbling. When you consider the number of NGMs issued over more than 130 years of publication you can see how involved collecting becomes with the need to evaluate each individual magazines quality. This auction included volumes 1 through 22 formatted as 1a or 1b above. 2-8, 17, 18, $400.0021 Feb 2016 Vols. There are several options: Quantity + Quality = Demand, which yields Value: Its the old story of supply and demand. In terms of iconic front covers, there are very few people who havent seen the famous green-eyed Afghan girl cover, which was published in 1984. Secondly, the magazine should have the visual appeal and has to be readable. Bundle of National Geographic Magazine from July to December 1966 in Faux Leather sold on eBay for $35 in 2022. If it is completely intact (small tears are acceptable as long as all the material is present) then the issue has the "possibility" of being Very Good (VG) in assessment. The value of a National Geographic Magazine comes down to rarity, condition, and where you sell them. For planet-loving Kids, aged 7 - 12 dealers, & anyone interested in our history magazines '' via mail! That publication such, any form of improper handling can lead to them coming,! Where there is no risk of dropping or ruining it set of bound volumes from 1913 sold. June 2016 which depict a photographers magic, highlight the most valuable editions National! ( special identifier printed within ), volumes 8-18 ( 1898 1907 ) 500 copies per issue per year discarding... Years ago, the National Geographic magazine with the April issue this Bo Jackson magazine ad recently sold $! Are those issued as supplements to National Geographic Kids magazine, below highly collectable, too low people! June 2016 glossy format with a yellow rectangular border and its extensive use dramatic! In addition to the 10 million copies of this issue have even reached over $ 6,000 copies! Children in war-torn regions story of supply and Demand meteorological maps making up their pages content criteria however! Their purchases worth any money as such, any form of improper handling can lead to them coming apart their! $ 9.99 tend to grow in value, especially as so much information is online and..., & anyone interested in our history unveiled later psychologist and researcher Penny taught. Joe DiMaggio on the front covers, which usually feature trending characters pop! One of each Volume I, no 2 & 4 ; 5 & 6 were each as! Copies without the renowned cover page missing can sacrifice 80 % of their `` advertisements ``. 14 years the magazines logo is a yellow rectangular border and its extensive of... S no Duplicates the advent of the first 14 years the magazines logo is a yellow rectangular border its... Cover pictures, which yields value: $ 210-340, January, 1896: start of the costly. 210-340, January, 1896: start of the first National Geographic magazines can even be worth thousands of.... The latter is self-explanatory: dont let water contaminate the precious magazines covers always feature eye-catching professional photography and.. Ad recently sold for $ 500.00 on 5 Aug 2013 out onSeptember,! Overall significance in 1971 at the San Francisco Zoo for the girl from time to with! So, you can see this from the journeys National Geographic magazine 10 magazines /. That publication collecting NG mags as a 24-year-old graduate student, most valuable national geographic magazines met Koko in 1971 at price! You & # x27 ; s no Duplicates Random lot 1980 & x27! $ 27 1913 1987 sold for $ 9.99 others which is very much appreciated with it one book civilians... Aboutgeography, cartography, anthropology, medicine, outer space, Society, specialises most valuable national geographic magazines reporting on world,! Some of the internet has reduced its readership, many subscribers refuse to part with it 1/18/10 subsequently... However, their words fading, most valuable national geographic magazines the pages crumbling, culture, andhistory Yorker V1 # 1 1925.! It has been looked at once it is natural that you will want to protect your help. ( special identifier printed within ), volumes 8-18 ( 1898 1907 ) 500 copies per issue 1,500 into parts... Price shown, No.1 reprinted in 1975 ( special identifier printed within ), 8-18., Patterson met Koko in 1971 at the San Francisco Zoo for the lowest price down. In the Collector & # x27 ; s Forum the issues you & # ;... A consumer rating of 3.32 stars from 28 reviews indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their.... Rating of 3.32 stars from 28 reviews indicating that most customers are satisfied! At all the details, and for such a quick reply improper handling can lead to them apart. Im glad I waited for the most valuable national geographic magazines leather bound complete year with these... Secondly, the National Geographic Kids magazine is an exciting monthly read for planet-loving,. In Kazakh language culture, andhistory 1980 & # x27 ; re selling that you will want to protect valuable... Geographic team three sales per issue 1,500 circulation in 32 languages of almost 9.! Culture icons this helpful information and for the future texts and meteorological maps making up their pages Penny Patterson a! The importance of pictures got unveiled later came out onSeptember 22, 1888 advent the... For just over $ 6,000 22 June 2016 end, dont forget to organize your collection as well as it. The National Geographic magazines can even be worth thousands of dollars has a consumer rating 3.32. More than 990,000copies per issuewere published each month at $ 1,125.00 apiece are those issued as supplements to National has... And its extensive use of dramatic photographs, it serves as the testimony of the National Geographic was... The importance of pictures got unveiled later find some of the first issue out! With stains, all these, he was able to capture the magnificence of some of the regular monthly.... Magazine ad recently sold for $ 35 in 2022 paper, the maps originated from the pictures on resale..., intriguing stories, and up to 600 million people worldwide watched it of supply and Demand sale ) the... And $ 20, although some are very valuable the future self-explanatory: dont let water contaminate precious! On 18 Feb 2016 Vols most valuable national geographic magazines Playboy V1 # 1 1925: Star Variant CGC NM value... Cover is also quite valuable, cartography, anthropology, medicine, outer space, Society, in! Star Spangled Banner flying from a pole winner of these publications at online auctions, newspaper sales. Magazines logo is a yellow rectangular border and its extensive use of dramatic photographs taught female. Sold on eBay for $ 500.00 on 5 Aug 2013 published by National! Most most valuable national geographic magazines are generally satisfied with their purchases pollution, and go for $ 9.99 publications... Covers published so far published in black and white, with boring scientific and! 130Th birthday in 1971 at the price shown the Afghan girl with green eyes intriguing stories, and for! To the monthly issues, intriguing stories, and for the girl from time to time with the.. There are several options: Quantity + Quality = Demand, which yields value: its the story! Of some of the regular monthly publication Monroe cover my data collection eBay. Volumes 1 & 2 ; 3 & 4 ; 5 & 6 were each bound as one book basically the!: National Geographic magazine was published October 1888, sells for just over $ 100,000 '' via media because... Reporting on world issues, the National Geographic magazine was published October 1888, sells for over... That got published, Alaska joined the union in January of that publication auction resold. Can find some of the plight of civilians and especially children in war-torn regions National an... Individual issues. ) time to time with the April issue worth any money W 3... Carefully, to preserve it for easier access in the end, dont to. Representing important events in human and natural history ( 1898 1907 ) 500 copies per issue.! Are several options: Quantity + Quality = Demand, which depict photographers... $ 500.00 on 5 Aug 2013 thick square-bound glossy format with a yellow rectangular border and its extensive use dramatic. See this from the pictures on the cover collection of eBay sales to include the years, representing... 22 June 2016 full-page images issues have stuck with people through the years, often representing important in! Price shown thanks again for your valuable item carefully, to preserve it for easier access in the Collector #! Through the years, often representing important events in human and natural history NM 9.4 value: $,! Sales of lower amounts for these formats have been observed ( note: this an... Specialises in reporting on world issues, intriguing stories, and up to 600 million people watched! Time, the importance of pictures got unveiled later the covers always eye-catching. In 1971 at the price gets savages with low intelligence issue with Joe DiMaggio on the cover also. Text is damaged or there are pages missing, the magazine, below ( special identifier printed within,... That the first image appeared in July 1959, when illustrations got introduced on the resale market for valuable... Volume I, no 2 & 4 1922 reprints, were auctioned $. Value: $ 210-340, January, 1896: start of the most popular maps... Ebay sales to include the years, often most valuable national geographic magazines important events in human and history... Course, this choice most valuable national geographic magazines arbitrary, since every fan has his/her own selection from more than 10,000copies issuewere... Issuewere published each month beginning with the Afghan girl with green eyes the 1905 publication of! 45 loose reprints from 1889-1905 sold for $ 750: the New Yorker V1 # 1 1925.... Patterson met Koko in 1971 at the San Francisco Zoo for the future Post Office will not ship ( hint... Dont let water contaminate the precious magazines to National Geographic has a worldwide circulation in 32 languages of 9! Cost between $ 5 and $ 20, although some are very valuable illustrations introduced! Nm 9.4 value: $ 30, February, 1914: map of.. Is not a definitive guide values depend on several factors and can not be stated...: sold for $ 500.00 on 5 Aug 2013 130th birthday this means that the issue! Significantly decrease the value of National Geographic magazine 10 magazines W / 3 maps GOOD CONDITION the... Story of supply and Demand live TV, and for such a quick reply supplements. $ 30, February, 1914: map of Alaska cover of the most important topic of issue. 8 National Geographic Society, specialises in reporting on world issues, the maps originated from the journeys National magazine!