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Melvin L. De Vilbiss
  • Male
  • Magnolia, TX
  • United States
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Melvin L. De Vilbiss's Groups

Melvin L. De Vilbiss's Discussions

Anomaly in 1922 Reprint of Volume I, No. 4.
2 Replies

Buxbaum proved that the 1922 Reprint of Vol. I, No. 2 was used for the 1964 reproduction run, both individual issues and bound, of the first 18 Volumes.He speculated both 1922 Reprints (No.’s 2 &…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Scott T. Shier Sep 24, 2022.

Set of 10 - 1895 monographs for sale:
4 Replies

With tax and shipping I just purchased a set of 10 individual monographs for $4,145.16 (tax and shipping included). Back in the early 2000's these were listed at about $400 per issue (reference Don…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Melvin L. De Vilbiss Feb 10, 2022.

Buyer beware!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363283956441?ul_noapp=trueThe above add lists an "original" Gold and Coal Fields of Alaska for $350.A…Continue

Started Feb 7, 2021

Proposed NGM grading standard:
2 Replies

For the record, this is the stringent grading standard I've used for more than 20 years.It has served me well.Comments are appreciated!MelContinue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Melvin L. De Vilbiss Apr 10, 2021.

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Latest Activity

Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Scott T. Shier's discussion A very remarkable 135 Years of exploring land, sea, and sky to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge" ~ 1888-2023
"Well done Scott!"
Jan 29
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Dalton's discussion Print run
"Dalton, It took me 45 years to collect the full set; though I was down to just two original issues needed for the last nine years, and only one issue for the last five years. Two caveats: First, in the early years of my collecting I was not as well…"
Jan 19
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Dalton's discussion Print run
"Have fun Scott ;) "
Jan 19
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Dalton's discussion Print run
"In the early years, the NGS would publish membership numbers, and would make a report to the society indicating publication status. These reports were most often provided in the preamble of the first issue in the succeeding year - but sometimes in…"
Jan 18
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to George Thomas Wilson's discussion A Visual Presentation of Map Indices
"Beautifully done Tom!"
Dec 24, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Scott T. Shier's discussion Mark C. Jenkins, former N.G. Society historian
"Great Read - thanks for sharing, Scott!"
Dec 24, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to James Catlin's discussion Identifying ?reprint? before selling
"I suggest you have an original "size" anomaly - which did happen from time to time. I would also defer to Don Smith's expertise as he sold it to you as an original. Your proof of having purchased from him as such is critical in the…"
Dec 11, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Larry Moffett's discussion Signed/"Autographed" Early Issues of the National Geographic Magazine
"As always, well said Scott! Jane Goodall and Buzz Aldrin - wow!"
Nov 27, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Larry Moffett's discussion Signed/"Autographed" Early Issues of the National Geographic Magazine
"Larry, This is an excellent topic for discussion - thank you for its introduction. I personally seek out issues signed by "issue" authors and/or founding members of the NGS, as identified in Vol II, No. 5. However, I've seen no…"
Nov 12, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to James Catlin's discussion Vol. I, No. 1,2,3,4 Anomalies for sale
"Vol 1, No's 2 & 4 were so rare by 1922 the NGS was persuaded to reproduce them in 1922. The Volume 1 binding with one or both 1922 reprints is more common than a Volume 1 binding with all originals. I have only observed one bound combined…"
Nov 10, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to James Catlin's discussion Vol. I, No. 1,2,3,4 Anomalies for sale
"James, forgive me for being a little picky here: 1st sentence should read Vol I, No. 2 and No. 4 issues. 2nd sentence, there is no presumption, these "are" 1922 reprints. Collectors know the word "REPRINT" is nowhere to be found…"
Nov 10, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Brittany Presto's discussion Rare National Geographic Magazines .
"This might assist you: A Guide to Selling National Geographic Magazines (Revised 19 January 2018) - National Geographic's Collectors Corner (ning.com)"
Nov 10, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to James Catlin's discussion Hiram Bingham, "Machu Picchu, A Citadel of the Incas" and April 1913 NGM
"Ditto as to Scott's comments. FYI - there was only "one run" for the YALE PRESS making this a "rare" publication. Good Luck! Mel"
Nov 3, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Chris Sorensen's discussion Complete original set 1906 to 2019
"You've got the right ideas - but the market is extremely tough at this time. Sales are very sluggish. Here's an eBay search for 1908: National Geographic magazines, 12 months 1908 | eBay Watch this and see what it sells for, if at…"
Nov 3, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to Scott T. Shier's discussion Nat Geo 'Wild' magazine issue makes a cameo in Hammacher Schlemmer's catalog : - )
"Keen eye!"
Nov 3, 2022
Melvin L. De Vilbiss replied to John's discussion Valuing/Labelling 1964 reprints and 1908
"Just one version - the 1964 reprints! Of course, there's always an exception(s): {copied from the link I gave you above...with a corrected error found by Tom Wilson after publication} Total Number of Reprints Published by the National…"
Oct 26, 2022

Profile Information

Hometown:
Magnolia
About Me:
Collecting since the mid '70s, I didn't get serious about it until 2001. Now I'm hooked!

Comment Wall (16 comments)

At 6:47am on June 7, 2010, Claude Belisle said…
Melvin,
Can you send me an email at belisle@mat.ulaval.ca ?
Thank you.
Claude
At 8:00pm on October 13, 2010, Keith Sargent said…
I grew up with NG's and my parents bought me a lifetime subscription when I was 15. I've finally decided to stop at 1909 (I hope), because several years back, I purchased a bound volume for that year. I had stopped at 1913 (the year my dad was born), but that three year gap bothered me; then, three months ago, I found someone selling his early 1910's and picked up 1910-1913 (about $20 each). I purchased the 1913's to get the one issue I was missing - April (Machu Picchu). I feel really satisfied now. I'm only missing May 1923, "At the Tomb of Tutankhamen" How far back does your collection go?
At 8:48am on April 17, 2012, Dale said…

Hi Mel,

Sorry to say, but I only have spares of V3 #1 (May'91) and #5 (Feb '92), both VG+ copies.

Dale

At 9:29pm on May 7, 2012, Freddie L. Smith said…
I will be happy to send a list to you. Possibly by
the weekend.
At 10:40pm on May 7, 2012, Freddie L. Smith said…
Individual copies: (o) original (r) reprint
These are spares be willing to swap-trade
Etc..
1900
Jan-O
April-O
May-O
1899
Jan-O
Feb-O
Aug-O
Nov-R
1897
July-Aug-O
1896
Feb(2)-O
May-O-missing back cover
1894
Jan,31-R
May,23-R
1893
April,29-R
1888
Vol. 1 # 1
At 11:10am on September 10, 2012, Pier C. RONCHIETTO said…

I got a message from you regarding some very old issues . My E-mail is caio@mweb.co.za and my name is Pier Ronchietto. Can you giveme you Emails address?

Thanks 

Pier 

At 2:49pm on November 9, 2012, Lia Calder said…

Dear Melvin,

We're looking foward to sell the whole collection, not just a single volume... Let me know if you are still interested.

Best relagrd, Lia

At 12:24am on December 4, 2012, Sivaramakrishnan Balakrishnan said…

Hi Melvin - I am new to collecting the National Geographic magazines and so at this point I am looking to buy the more extensive collections - but quite clearly the more recent vintages (like 1950s onwards - unless there's a way to get the earlier years at a reasonable price) - since the very very early vintages (late 1800s-early 1900s) are quite out of my reach (and intent).

At 12:12pm on October 30, 2013, Dawn S said…

Hello Melvin, thank you for friend requesting me.  Mine or the bound set for 1964 I believe.

At 8:20pm on November 1, 2013, Sandra J. Phipps said…

We have a few from 1917   however,    January 1965 through 1988 the collection is non stop, and complete. He got them every month . He died 1987 and mom never renewed. '.

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