1988 December Fragile Earth Condition Sensitive!

[Dalton]

The 1988 earth magazine has to be the most sensitive magazine ever produced by National Geographic. The holographic cover makes this book prone to scratches, dings, and bends. There appears to be ink marks on the front cover due to factory printing. The holographic cover also impedes rough edges during the cutting process that are more highly visible. Has anyone seen a copy without the blank ink streaks on the cover around the earth area?

[George Thomas Wilson]

Here is the stock photo posted by Philip Riviere.  I'm not sure about the ink spots of which you note.

Tom Wilson

[Dalton]

Thank Mr. Wilson. I have been looking at many on ebay and if you zoom in, you can see around 3 black "ink runs" on the front cover. They all seem to be typical. A printing error at appears. Maybe I will find one that looks like the stock photo you presented. Thanks again!

[Dalton]

You can see these 3 on every copy it seems. Make it harder to find a mint copy.

[George Thomas Wilson]

My copy has those same marks.  It's hard to see, but the stock photo may have them as well.

[Scott T. Shier]

I have never seen a copy that does not have those marks you are describing and show in your images. Some kind of printer's "flaw" for sure.

Scott 

[Dalton]

Thanks for your comment Scott. I agree. I believe it has to be all copies as well from the printing plate or original. Even without the print defect, this book is still very tough to find in new condition due to the holographic...I just wanted to share and receive some feedback. Thank you.

[Scott T. Shier]

Dalton,

I got lucky enough to find one in original mailing wrapper from 1988, and apparently had never been taken out. Also, were you aware that there were 2 versions of this issue printed? 

Members received one that was a silver color tone, and others received one that was distinctly more gold in color tone (I do not know how or why this transpired). I have one of each.

~ Scott 

[Dalton]

No kidding!? I had no idea. I'm going to need one of each To have a master set for 1988. Thanks for sharing.

[George Thomas Wilson]

According to the late Jim Persons, there weren't two versions sent out.  The gold version was inhouse.  They were trying to decide which version to use and thought that the silver version was better.

[George Thomas Wilson]

If you notice, the flaws were there on both of these prototypes even before the issue went into production.

[Scott T. Shier]

Thanks for the clarification. I remember at some point on the 'Corner, Cathy Hunter was talking about the files they have about trying to make this issue . . . problems w/ the strike plates and such.

Anyway, somehow I have a gold one.