April 1898 The Klondike Number

[Mike Oliphant]

I currently have three April 1898 copies of the National Geographic Magazine on eBay for sale. I point this out because I rarely have any of what I call the rare 12 between 1896 and 1903. The issues that truly make a complete set of loose issues a quest. This particular issue is popular because is was a guide to an American Gold Rush published during the gold rush. Now a note on what makes something rare. Most collectors would say it would be based on the actual population of an item. I want to make this clear, what makes something rare, is how often it is available compared to how many want to possess it. There are thousands of Picassos, yet any painting is worth millions. I own a couple hundred civil war tokens with an R rating of 9 which means there are fewer than five in the world. but very few collectors specialize in them so the value is usually under $100.

 

[Melvin L. De Vilbiss]

My "high-three" data sheet shows only two (2) individual original issues have sold "with" the map since December 2008, the date I started collecting data. They each sold for the same price of $1,125.00. One "other" loose issue without map sold for $170.00.

I have on my data sheet one non-eBay sale with map purchased from a well known dealer. I'll keep this purchase price private, as requested.

Good luck with your listings Mike and hope some fortunate collectors are able to acquire these gyms.

Mel

[Mike Oliphant]

Thanks Mel,    They will sell easily. I have eight watchers on the original now. I have been able to buy two originals and three reprints in 26 years. One original and two reprints with the map. I keep looking at that date December 2008. There has been more collections sold and put together during that time than during the twenty years before that total. That is really something in the age of digital books and a pore economy.