Collection Appraisal?

[Gaston Batalla]

A friend is looking to sell his collection since 1928 up to 2000. Only 1 issue from 1930 is missing. Any ideas how much would this be worth? Thanks

[Melvin L. De Vilbiss]

For ideas, please review the following eBay link for National Geographic Magazines with nearly 20,000 items listed for sale:

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3692.m570.l1311&_n...

My experience is, that if you wish to take the time to sell your items "one at a time," in about two years you might be able to sell them between $1500 to $2000. This does not take into account your packing and mailing expenses, some of which you could transfer to your buyers.

On the other hand, to sell in bulk, you reduce the potential customer base and would be lucky to sell the entire lot for between $300 - $500, primarily because the years you have listed had nearly 1,000,000 copies published (or MUCH more as you approach the late 1940's) for each issue. In short, the magazines are more or less readily available. But there is always that buyer that wants exactly what you're offering - so nothing ventured, nothing gained.

The quality of the magazines, i.e. no missing pieces (minor or otherwise) and no folds, foxing, etc. plays into the sales price - very hard to qualify sight unseen. Also, the completeness, i.e. are all published supplements included, has a final price impact.?

Sorry to be so vague - but hope this at least gives you a starting point.

Mel

P.S. I have been maintaining a a personal survey/data base over the last 2 years on issues sold on eBay for the first 18 volumes of National Geographic Magazines (1888 through 1907). The prices have steadily fallen or the items have remained on eBay unsold for those sellers who stick to fixed prices that are no longer competitive, i.e. the demand "appears" to be falling based on this two year survey.