Variations to the Covers of the National Geographic

[George Thomas Wilson]

Variations to the Covers of the National Geographic

 

On the very first bullet of suggested topics for this group, Ephemera & Collectibles ~ odds n’ ends, Scott lists NGM variants.  I’ve decided to take a stab at it, although I’m sure my list is far from complete.

First a disclaimer: I am NOT going to list issues with/without the red TV advertisement banners from the ‘60s, barcodes for newsstand issues, or additional advertisements like the October 2013 “Free Poster” which was only on newsstands.

With that being said, let me proceed with what I’ve got so far.

I. July 1889

Two versions of the July 1889 (Vol. 1, No. 2) issue of NGM as per Buxbaum (1971) page 77.  Photos courtesy of Jim Persons.

II. April 1905

This is the, now famous “red covered” reprint of the very popular Philippines number.  Both Buxbaum and Nathan have documented this cover variant.  Membership grew from 3,400 in January 1905 to 11,000 by the end of the year in large part to the popularity of this issue.  While additional production runs usually use the same stock, this may have been a “kill two birds with one stone” moment that allowed the disposal of some leftover, red stock from 1903.

III. February 1915

This is the “Town of Many Gables” issue, but is it Hildesheim or Munster?  The article is about Munster so that answers the question.  I can find no documentation from any source about this variant so I'm claiming this “discovery” as my own.  (Hold the applause, just send money.)

IV. January 1916

The January 1916 issue was so popular that the Society reprinted it with a notice across the top margin that reads "SPECIAL REPRINT".

V. January 1917

The first cover lists three articles, the second one has four.  The additional article, "100 British Seaports" does appear in both versions.  It was just skipped on the cover until the error was caught.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons.

VI. March 1927

Does the second article have 18 or 17 "Natural Color Photographs"?  The answer is 17.  This means the erroneous "18" version came first. It was followed, mid production run, with the corrected "17" version.  Image courtesy Jeff Persons.

VII. May 1928

This is known as the "Acorn Issue".  Mid production run, the border was changed not only upping the number of acorns, but also changing the globes.  Notice Antarctica.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons.

VIII. February 1946

Notice the two different banners at the top of each cover.  One mentions the Map of the Western Hemisphere and the other an ad for U.S. Victory Bonds.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons

IX. October 1974

One version has the South Central States supplement map advertised in a red banner across the top   of the cover. The other version does not.  One version has the South Central States map listed in red on the spine.  The other version does not.  You would think that it would be an either/or situation here, but you would be wrong.  One version has both has both map citations and the other has neither,

X. December 1974

One of these issues was stamped for the fifteenth anniversary of the RRD North Plant on November 15, 1974.  It is not known how many were printed.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XI. September 1977

My knowledge of this variant, with green borders instead of yellow is thanks to Jeffry Persons who has posted a discussion on it right here in this group.  It is an interesting read and I’d recommend it.  Thanks Jeff!  It is a cover-only variant, they were bound with random pages, thus not a true issue.  I must confess I do not have this variant in my collection.  I just had fun modifying my image with Microsoft Paint.

XII. April 1981

This is one of seven variants documented by Abramo Russo with the note: (See bottom of Covers).  The bottom of one cover is the standard "Official Journal of the National Geographic Society Washington D.C." in black while the other has a television ad in red.

XIII. January 1982

A paper band was added to the issues sold at Colonial Williamsburg to promote the article on Carter's Grove entitled "New Clues to Virginia's Lost Settlement".  Photo of issue with band courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XIV. January 1984

This is one of seven variants documented by Abramo Russo with the note: (See bottom of Covers). The bottom of one cover is the standard "Official Journal of the National Geographic Society Washington D.C." in black while the other has a television ad in red.

XV. February 1984

This is one of seven variants documented by Abramo Russo with the note: (See bottom of Covers). The bottom of one cover is the standard "Official Journal of the National Geographic Society Washington D.C." in black while the other has a television ad in red.

XVI. March 1984

This is one of seven variants documented by Abramo Russo with the note: (See bottom of Covers). The bottom of one cover is the standard "Official Journal of the National Geographic Society Washington D.C." in black while the other has a television ad in red.

The cover used has a hologram of an eagle, the other, which was ready for use if the holographic cover wasn't ready, has a photograph from China.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XVII. January 1985

The covers of these January 1985 issues differ along the bottom edge.  These images are courtesy of Juan Carlos Herrera del Castillo.

XVIII. February 1988

This is one of seven variants documented by Abramo Russo with the note: (See bottom of Covers). The bottom of one cover is the standard "Official Journal of the National Geographic Society Washington D.C." in black while the other has a television ad in red.

XIX. December 1988

The holographic globe issue.  But which foil to use?  Silver or Gold?  Gold proved better.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XX. January 1989

This is one of seven variants documented by Abramo Russo with the note: (See bottom of Covers). The bottom of one cover is the standard "Official Journal of the National Geographic Society Washington D.C." in black while the other has a television ad in red.

XXI. February 1989

This is one of seven variants documented by Abramo Russo with the note: (See bottom of Covers). The bottom of one cover is the standard "Official Journal of the National Geographic Society Washington D.C." in black while the other has a television ad in red.

XXII. September 1990

The sticker added to this cover reads "Compliment of AT&T".  It commemorates Ellis Island.  Photo of cover with sticker courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXIII. June 1993

The sticker on this cover states that this was the 1,000,000,000 issue of National Geographic printed.  Photo of cover with sticker courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXIV. June 1999

A sticker was added to the issues sold at Chicago Airport to commemorate the "Sue" T-Rex exhibit.  This particular issue includes the article about "Sue".  Photo of cover with sticker courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXV. November 1999

The newsstand version of this issue has an attached strip and a different format of the contents.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXVI. May 2000

Newsstand copy has an attached flap and different formatting of the content.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXVII. June 2000

This is another cover with sticker sold at Chicago Airport advertising the "Sue" T-Rex exhibit.  Photo of cover with sticker courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXVIII. July 2000

Newsstand copy has an attached flap and differently formatted contents on the cover.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXIX. December 2001

Another cover flap and alternate formatting on the newsstand version.  Image Courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXX. November 2003

The newsstand cover has a special "Watching You" cover while the subscription cover highlights the article about ancient Egypt.  Photo courtesy of Jeff Persons.

This issue also had two different newsstand covers.  In addition, the newsstand copy that has the same cover image as the subscription copy has a different content format.  Perhaps to make room for the barcode.  Images courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXXI. May 2004
The May 2004 Issue has two different covers for the subscription and newsstand copies.  Thanks to Scott Shier for letting me know about this one.

XXXII. February 2005

A limited version. Used on newsstands in conjunction with the regular cover newsstand version.  Courtesy of Scott Shier.  Note: this cover was also used for the European version.

XXXIII. April 2005

Limited version, used with the primary newsstand copy, which was the same image as subscription copy.  Courtesy of Scott Shier.

XXXIV. October 2005

This pair was posted way back on April 7, 2011 by Ricardo Tavares Dias.  The "Nelson at Trafalgar" cover is actually the UK version of the magazine while the "Killer Flu" cover is the US/Canada one. (Not in My Collection)

XXXV. January 2006

This is another example of where the newsstand cover is completely different from the subscription issue's.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXXVI. May 2006

This issue had two different covers: one for subscription members and another for the newsstand.  Apparently the newsstand version was used to help advertise the TV special on the NGC titled “The Gospel of Judas”.  Thanks go out to Philip Riviere for pointing this one out to me.

XXXVII. March 2007

Here, the newsstand and subscription covers have the same photo but different formatting and verbage.  Image courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XXXVIII. May 2007

A very limited newsstand version.  apparently, used in airport venues only.  Courtesy of Scott Shier.

XXXIX. August 2007

 

The newsstand version has a zoomed-in pyramid that is offset to the left.  The alternate, newsstand cover about post-Katrina New Orleans was pointed out to me by JB Penn.  It was a limited run, just for that region of the country.  The subscription version, and apparently most of the newsstand copies were about the Maya.  Courtesy of Scott Shier.

XL. April 2008

Still another example of where the newsstand cover is modified from the subscription one. Image courtesy Abramo Russo.

XLI. July 2008

Extremely limited newsstand version.  Only used out west in select areas.  Also Canada newsstand version.  Courtesy of Scott Shier.

XLII. August 2010

The newsstand cover has a different layout than the subscription version.  The content info is rearranged and the Pelican is smaller.  Photo courtesy of Abramo Russo.

There is a third variant shown here with a slightly different layout than the newsstand version.  It is minus the "Mission Blue" entry (bottom left).  This variant (and photo) courtesy of Jeff Persons.

XLIII. September 2010

The newsstand version of the September 2010 cover has a zoomed-in version of the cover photo, and a bolder, in-your-face headline than the subscription version.  This entry find is thanks to Scott Shier.

XLIV. December 2010

First version has barcode, a flap, and King David title on the right-hand side.  Second version has the flap and right-hand side title but no barcode.  Third version has no flap, no barcode, a the King David title on the left-hand side.

XLV. April 2011

The newsstand version of this issue has an attached strip with a Volcano picture and blurb instead of the table of contents.  It superimposes half of the Inca cover photo, is lighter and is easily removed.  The Inca photo underneath does NOT have the Table of Contents like the subscription version.  This pair is courtesy of Abramo Russo.

XLVI. August 2011

A split cover for the newsstand version.  Courtesy of Scott Shier.

With the split cover with content information removed is mainly the photo, while the subscription version contains a large headline and content verbiage.  This is the opposite of the current practice of having the subscription cover mostly the photo while the newsstand version has an eye-catching headline and content info.  Photo courtesy of Scott Shier.

Finally,  This issue also had a limited alternate subscription cover sporting a robot.  Photo courtesy of Scott Shier.

XLVII. May 2013

The cover states “This baby will live to be 120” and has a picture of said baby.   There are FOUR versions of this cover, one for each major ethnic group in this country.  Philip Riviere has a photo album containing all four, and a fifth one on a Mexican NGM.

XLVIII. April 2015

This is cheating a little bit.  The Hubble cover is from the UK magazine and not the US one.  When Thierry Lombry posted it, I just had to get one.  It was delivered on April 24th, the 25th anniversary of the Hubble’s launch.  All the articles are the same but the advertisements are British.

XLIX. March 2016

Here's another subscription vs. newsstand variant.  This one for March 2016.  Photos courtesy of Abramo Russo.

L. April 2016

The Society pulled out all the stops for this issue with ten different covers.  The theme is "The Photo Ark: One man's quest to document the world's animals, one picture at a time".  This entry is thanks to Scott Shier and Philip Riviere.

LI. November 2016

LII. January 2017

There are two distinct covers on "Gender Identity" for this issue.  Image was found by Scott Shier.

LIII. February 2017

As with January 2017, there are two covers: one for subscribers and the other for newsstands.  While the subscriber's cover is more eco-conscious, the newsstand cover plies the buyer with alcohol.

LIV. March 2017

What seems to be a standard practice, when the covers use the same image, the subscriber's copy has minimal writing beyond the banner, while the newsstand's version has bold headlines.  This newsstand copy happens to be the Spanish version, the U.S./Canada headline reads "Vikings".

LV. April 2017

As with last month, the subscription and newsstand covers are different with the newsstand version including bold headlines.  Photos courtesy of Scott Shier.

LVI. May 2017

The U.S./Canadian newsstand version has the word "GENIUS" in large letters on it much like the Croatian version shown here.  Photo courtesy of Abramo Russo.

LVII. July 2017

Again, the newsstand has a eye-catching "Secret Antarctica" on the cover that is not needed on the subscription version.

LVIII. March 2018

This is a good one from Jeff Persons.  The one on the left is the subscription (and newsstand) copy.  The one on the right is a mystery.  My first guess was the UK version which seems to be the case.  (Advertisement prices are in Pounds.)

LIX. May 2018

The May 2018 cover has the same variants between the subscription issue and the newsstand issue in that the subscription cover has the artwork with very small writing whereas the newsstand one has a large, eye-catching title, in this case "Picasso".  As with several earlier issues this is a tie-in with the Nat Geo Channel (Second season of "Genius").

LX. June 2018

The June 2018 newsstand cover again has the large, bold title "Planet or Plastic" printed on the image along with additional writing.  The subscription cover has a minimal title and much less other text leaving the image more pristine.

LXI. July 2018

Continuing the trend of have a large, eye-catching title on the newsstand cover while leaving the photo pretty much pristine on the subscription cover; the July 2018 issue is entitled "Building a Better Athlete".

LXII. August 2018

The August 2018 issue continues what seems to be standard operating procedure with the subscription version's cover having minimum verbiage while the newsstand copies having a large headline and contents documented as well.

LXIII. October 2018

After a one-month hiatus, the October 2018 has the bold heading on the newsstand copy but not the 

subscription one.  Also shown are the American newsstand version as opposed to the one from Spain.

LXIV. November 2018

November 2018 continues the subscription/newsstand divergence.

LXV. December 2018

The newsstand version of the December 2018 issue has a bold headline again while the subscription copy is mainly the photograph.

LXVI. January 2019

The newsstand version of the January 2019 issue has a top banner stating "Special Issue" while this item is missing from the subscription copy.  Notice that it pushes the magazine's title down, partly behind the fingers of the hand.

LXVII. February 2019

This is a true cover variant.  The subscription and the newsstand versions of the cover use different photographs.  This is unlike most of the recent issue that basically have the same photo, but use different verbiage and/or cropping.

LXVIII. March 2019

Back to the bold headline for the newsstand cover versus the diminutive title on the subscription cover.

LXIX. May 2019

The newsstand version has a larger heading plus larger verbiage beneath it, while the subscription copy has a smaller heading lower with verbiage to the right low to the bottom showing more of Da Vinci's beard. 

LXX. July 2019

After a month where the covers were identical (except for the barcode), the July 2019 covers are formatted differently.  The newsstand version has a bold headline across the image and a small amount of text at the bottom of the page.  Also, the image is centered.  The subscription version has no headline and a large amount of verbiage below it.  To make room for all this text, the image is shifted up and blocks about half of the word "Geographic" in the header.  Also, the Magazine header is in brown/red on the subscription cover but black on the newsstand one.

LXXI. August 2019

The August 2019 Newsstand cover has a bold title on the right side and a table of contents on the left side.  The Subscription version has a smaller headline across the middle of the image.  The image is slightly zoomed in on the Subscription cover.

LXXII: January 2020

After a four-month hiatus, The January 2020 Newsstand cover is modified from the Subscription version.  The image on the Newsstand cover is slightly smaller than the one on the Subscription cover.  This allows the title to be eye-catchingly larger. The text in the lower right corner is also formatted and sized differently to account for the barcode.

LXXIII. April 2020

This is the 2020 Earth Day dual issue.  It is not really an alternate cover but a dual cover.  The Optimist's Guide is the front cover (note the barcode).  The Pessimist's Guide is the back cover (shown upside down).  The guides meet in the middle of the magazine.  Also note that the spine of this special issue is not yellow, but connect both hemispheres into one globe.

LXXIV. September 2020

After four months of identical covers, the September 2020 issue has slightly different newsstand and subscription covers.  It has the same image on each but while the verbiage is identical the presentation of it is different, with the newsstand wording larger and higher with the image.

LXXV. November 2020

The newsstand version of the November 2020 National Geographic has the verbiage at the bottom shrunk to allow room for the barcode.  Otherwise, the cover is the same as the subscription version.

LXXVI. December 2020

The Newsstand Version has identical headlines and verbiage, even the same size; but they have been shifted up to make room for the barcode in the lower left corner.  The barcode was not placed in the lower right corner due to the fact that this is a three-page foldout cover.

LXXVII. January 2021

The verbiage at the bottom of the cover to the Subscription version of the January 2021 National Geographic is a single line across the issue.  On the Newsstand version, the verbiage is in two line centered, to make room for the barcode.  This additional line of text pushes the "2020" up further hiding the statue's base.

LXXVIII. July 2021

The July 2021 Subscription vs. Newsstand covers of the July 2021 issue could be the case study for a course entitled "Picking Nits - 101".  Notice the title at the bottom is shifted slightly to the right, and smaller, on the newsstand version to make room for the barcode.

LXXIX. November 2021

The November 2021 Newsstand version of the cover is slightly altered from the Subscription version.  The text on the left side is bumped up a bit to make room for the barcode.  The cover is also a three-page foldout.

LXXX. January 2022

There are four covers to the January 2022 issue of National Geographic.  They are advertised on page 2 of the issue and are available on natgeo.com/backissues.

One of the versions has the heading "2021 | The Year in Pictures" at the bottom of the cover due to the photo selected.  It is pushed up on the newsstand version to make room for the barcode.

LXXXI: February 2022

The February 2022 Subscription cover has the cover article's title and text shifted up to make room for the Barcode.  Between the two photos, you can see all of the cathedral's details.

LXXXII: May 2022

The May 2022 Newsstand cover has a banner "Free Poster: The World's Forests" that bumps down the magazines name.  The Subscription version has no banner, but a small note, "+ Free Poster" in place of the barcode.  The Newsstand cover's colors seem to be richer, the Subscription's version, paler.

LXXXIII. August 2022

The August 2022 Issue have several differences between the Subscription and the Newsstand versions of the Cover.  On the Newsstand Version: The Magazine Name is lower and orange, possibly to match the clouds; three Articles are listed above the Magazine Name; the Cover Article Title is much smaller, lower, and multicolored; the Cover Image is higher (more land, less clouds); the Red Arrow is lower to match the article title; and, of course, the Barcode.

LXXXIV. September 2022

The September 2022 Newstand version has a one-line contents of the other two articles.  It bumps down the magazine title slightly, but the remainder of the cover is the same as the Subscription version except, of course, the barcode.

LXXXV. October 2022

The October 2022 Issue has several differences between the Subscription and the Newsstand versions of the Cover.  On the Newsstand Version: The Magazine Name is lower and darker gray to make room for a contents list of the three other articles.

LXXXVI: November 2022

The November 2022 Newstand issue is very busy with a Lead article heading across the top, above the magazine name; a large subheading down the left side; with a table of contents, balancing it down the right; and of course, the bar code.  The Subscription version has the heading, but only with a small subheading on either side of the magazine name; no table of content; no bar code.

LXXXVII: December 2022

The Newsstand Version of the December 2022 Issue has the Article Title adjusted and its subtitle repositioned to accommodate the Barcode.  The subtitle's color was changed from white to green.

LXXXVIII. February 2023

The February 2023 Newsstand version has a table of contents across the top pushing the magazine name down slightly.  The barcode pushes up the cover articles title and text up into the image.

LXXXIX. March 2023

The March 2023 Newsstand version has the cover article text moved from the bottom to the middle of the page to make room for the bar code.  That move text pushed up the top part of the image into the magazine title.

XC. August 2023

The Subscription version of the August 2023 National Geographic has blurbs for two other articles in the upper left-hand corner that is missing on the Subscription version.

XCI. January 2024

The Newsstand version of the January 2024 issue has the text above and below the word 'Monarchs' aligned with that title on the left side.  This balances out the Barcode.  The text on the Subscription version is centered.  Note: this is the last Newsstand version printed. 

XCII. March 2024

With the end of Newsstand Issues, the only entries to be added to this list will be true alternate covers, starting with this month, March 2024.

XCIII: April 2024

For the second month, the subscription and newsstand covers have different photos. The subscription has a table of contents (including page numbers) while the newsstand has a bold headline.

XCIV: May 2024

The subscription version of the cover has the same photo as the newsstand version, but it is slightly zoomed in, with the left side and bottom being cropped.  As with the last two months, the subscription has a table of contents (including page numbers) while the newsstand has a bold headline.

XCV: June 2024

The June 2024 Covers use different articles for their cover photo.  The Subscription Version uses the third article for the photo, while the Newsstand Version uses the first article for the pic.

XCVI: August 2024

The August 2024 Covers use different articles for their cover photo.  The Subscription Version uses the first article for the photo, while the Newsstand Version uses the second article for the pic.

XCVII: September 2024

Both the Subscription and Newsstand Versions of the Cover to the September 2024 Nat Geo have the same Image.  The Subscription Version has a Table of Contents across the bottom while the Newsstand Version has a Headline for the Cover Article and, of course, a Barcode.

XCVIII: November 2024

Both the Subscription and Newsstand Versions of the Cover to the November 2024 Nat Geo have the same Image.  The Subscription Version has a Table of Contents across the bottom while the Newsstand Version has a Headline for the Cover Article and, of course, a Barcode.

Tom Wilson

[George Thomas Wilson]

Just added an entry, with image, for the August 2022 Subscription vs. Newsstand differences.

[George Thomas Wilson]

Note: I just added what is probably the last variant between Subscription and Newsstand versions of the cover.  The January 2024 Newsstand version (printed in 2023) should be the lasted one issued.