Early Cover Designs One thru Five (origional photos -left to right) Click to Enlarge
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This is the Latest of my Collectible "Keepers" a 1935 1st Edition Buxbaum "Collecting National Geographic Magazines" in Very Fine condition. It still had the thin paper wrapper as shipped. It has string stiching and heavy paper covers. Contents includes "Collecting, The Society, Formats, Supplements and Special #'s, Reprints, Criteria of Value, Values 1888-1935, Binding and Preservation, Aspects of Pleasure and Investment, and Inventory Record Chart. He states that in Vol. 1, the #'s 2 and 4 are the rarest. Of the first 6 Vols., 3 is the commonest, 1 is rare in complete and origional condition, 2 and 4 are harder to find, and 5 or 6 are "medium rare" (my terminology). He says: "A fair price for Vol. 1 #1 would be between $25 and $75. His list of special issues counted at 33 and eventually grew to 100 by the last edition of the book in 1971. While I have never agreed with publishing out any issues as "special" (all are needed for a collection), the list is interesting and does include some subject that have affected supply and demand. Charlie Gannon has said that these have gone for $40 to $50 and while I believe they were printed in greater numbers than a full blown '71 edition, I woundn't trade it for a Vol 1 #1 Reprint (see their value elsewhere on "Newsletter" of this webpage).
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These are both sides of the Explorer II Balloon Coin and Bookmark. The bookmark is made from the actual rubberized material of the actual balloon. It measures 2 1/4 by 7 inches. They had no intention of using the balloon again, and since the ripped Explorer I was shredded for souvenirs upon it's crash landing, the NGS decided to do an official commemorative. The discolouring is not from the scan, but due to the chemical aging of the vulcanized material. The metal coin is made of the same material Dow Chemical Corp. used in the fabrication of the gondola (not from the actual gondola) and is very light and strong. It too, takes on a patena of it's own with age. Information about the record breaking flight(s) is frequently found in post 1934 NG publications. "Strat I and Strat II" soft cover books were done at that time, and it is covered in almost every "explorer and expedition" publication. A good thumbnail sketch of the endeavors was in the Jan. 1963 (25th Aniv.) Mag. Of course, the issues of the time had blow by blow (puff?) coverage. Current price for these if you can find them? $100 to $175 for the bookmark, and $300 to $450 for the metal, depending on condition and where you get them.
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THE DR. VAN VRANKEN EPHEMERA and COLLECTION HISTORY
As witnessed by the membership certificate (below-first picture), a run was begun in 1911 by a Doctor in New Jersey. A few pieces of Ephemera and the Set (bound during it's early history in various covers) ended up in the hands of the son who joined the Society in CA. (See the 1966 Certificate 2nd row).
To the son's CREDIT, a whole series of mailings by the SOCIETY in the next two decades was saved which is a rich history of many of the publications by NGS in that ERA. (see complete list below). By 1970, the son had inquired to NG about selling the set back to them. The letter in response is shown (in the third row) overlaid with a card showing the prices the SOCIETY was charging for back issues. Calculations jotted on the card evaluated a set if purchased from NGS as worth over $3600 (1911 to 1970).... Ofcourse, having a bound set of the same years was not worth anywhere near that amount. Calculation for the cost to complete his set from 1910 back to 1900 was $4872 if purchased at that time from the SOCIETY. Apparently that was never done, and no maps were found when the whole collection was purchased at auction by a fellow in Northern California. He was kind enough to let me bid on the Ephemera separately, and I continued to advise him on liquidating the bound volumes. I feel fortunate that only 3 items in this purchase were duplicates of the hundreds of EPHEMERA in my collection.
THE PICTURES BELOW ARE ONE OR MORE OF THE ITEMS IN SOME MAILINGS
1911 - 1911
1966
1970
Date Item Catagory Front Back Notes
| 1911 | 1911 NGS MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE |
MISC. |
BLACK ON CREAM PAPER |
BLANK |
VanV CAME WITH BYLAWS |
1911 |
1911 MEMBERSHIP BYLAWS |
MISC. |
BLACK ON CREAM PAPER |
BLANK |
VanV CAME WITH MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE |
1961 |
WORLD GLOBE PROMO MAILING |
PROMO |
COLOR-GLOBE |
COLOR-TESTIMONIALS |
VanV CAME WITH LETTER, FORM, ENVELOPE |
1965 |
PUBLICATION ORDER LIST |
CATALOG |
COLOR-LOGO/LIST |
COLOR-ITEMS |
VanV BOOKS, MAPS, ATLAS W/ENVELOPE |
1965 |
PUBLICATIONS PAMPHLET |
CATALOG |
B/W BIRDS |
B/W BIRDS |
VanV COLOR LAYOUT OF PUBLICATIONS |
1965 |
WATER, PREY, AND GAME BIRDS |
PROMO |
COLOR-BABY BIRD |
COLOR-CONTENTS |
VanV CAME WITH 1966 PROMO MAILING |
1966 |
WATER, PREY, AND GAME BIRDS |
PROMO |
COLOR-BOOKS (2) |
COLOR-BOOKS/GLOBE |
VanV MEMBER LETTER AND BOOKS PROMO |
1966 |
1966 MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICAE |
MISC. |
COLOR-FLAG/SEAL |
COLOR-FOLDER |
VanV NEW MEMBER FOLDER W/EXPLORERS HALL PROMO |
1966 |
REUP AND GIFT PROMO |
PROMO |
COLOR-YELLOW BORDER SHIP |
COLOR-MEMBER CARD |
VanV MAILING W/POST CARD/ENVELOPE |
1966 |
2nd Ed. ATLAS / GLOBE PROMO |
PROMO |
COLOR-CARTOGRAPHER |
COLOR-GLOBE / ATLAS |
VanV MAILING WITH ENVELOPE, CARD, LETTER |
1967 |
CHRISTMAS PUBLICATIONS MAILING |
PROMO |
COLOR-CANDLES |
COLOR-GIFT PROMO/PAMPHLET |
VanV MAILING WITH ENVELOPE, CARD, LETTER |
1967 |
4 BOOK PROMO - AMER. STORY |
PROMO |
COLOR-FLAG MOTIF |
COLOR-4 BOOKS PROMO'D |
VanV MAILING WITH ENVELOPE, CARD, LETTER |
1968 |
PUBLICATIONS PAMPHLET |
CATALOG |
COLOR-GIFT SHOP GIRL |
COLOR-MAP/FACTS |
VanV MAILING WITH ENVELOPE, CARD, LETTER |
1969 |
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS PROMO |
PROMO |
COLOR-ALASKA VOLCANO |
COLOR-FAMILY W/BOOKS |
VanV MAILING WITH ENVELOPE, CARD, LETTER |
1970 |
VACTIONLAND BOOK PROMO |
PROMO |
COLOR-ADDRESS CARD |
COLOR-POST CARD FRONT |
VanV ADDRESS CARD FROM PROMO MAILING |
1970 |
LETTER RESPONSE TO SET 4 SALE |
MISC. |
COLOR-LETTERHEAD |
COLOR-CARD W/ISSUE PRICES |
RESPONSE TO VanV ON SET SALE INQUIRY |
1971 |
1971 GIFTS CATALOG - XMAS & 1972 |
CATALOG |
COLOR-PRODUCTS |
COLOR-PRODUCTS |
VanV MAILING - CATALOG |
1974 |
1974 GIFT IDEAS 4 XMAS & 1975 |
CATALOG |
COLOR-WINTER SCENE |
COLOR-PRODUCTS |
VanV MAILING - CATALOG |
1979 |
WILD ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA |
PROMO |
COLOR-SEALS |
COLOR-BOOK FACTS |
VanV MAILING WITH ENVELOPE, CARD, LETTER |
1981 |
1947-1976 INDEX /SUPPLEMENT PROMO |
PROMO |
COLOR-SEARCHING ISSUES |
COLOR-INDEX FACTS |
VanV MAILING WITH ENVELOPE, CARD, LETTER |
1983 |
1947-1983 INDEX PROMO |
PROMO |
COLOR-FAMILY AT STUDY |
COLOR-INDEX FACTS |
VanV MAILING WITH ENVELOPE, CARD, LETTER |
COMMENTS FROM HAPPY CONTACTS:
Just got home from the P.O. with the boxes. What an excellent packing job !!!! Magazines are in excellent condition, and will add substantially to my collection. They are superb upgrades!!!!!!! A.S. - Atlanta
Thank you for responding to my request. Yes, I would like to place an order with you. Your site is wonderful. After visiting my local used Bookstore I was unable to locate the issues you offer. J.W. - Pheonix
I received your package and I am thrilled with everything. I laminated the poster this morning at school and it looks great in the classroom. I especially enjoy reading those 1948-49 issues you sent. It provokes thinking about the likelihood of all of those exotic animals species still existing. Thank you again. J.W. - Pheonix
I received all! The book is in wonderful shape and the magazines are very acceptable as well. There won't be any returns here! Thank you very much and I will keep you in mind for any future needs, as well as refer your name (and webpage) to anyone who may be interested in old NG stuff. M.B. - Bloomington
I received the supplemnts you sent me on Fri June the 20th I thought that was pretty fast for snail mail. I am very satisfied with them, I also like the chart of supplements to the magazines you included, that will be helpful for knowing what supplements I don't have at a glance. A.L. - Hellena
I did visit your site. I especially found the CD-ROM information useful, as I have been trying to find out details about it. $150 for 30 CDROMs? Can this be accurate? It is so cheap. $5 per CD. B.A. - Vancouver
Very interested to receive your e.mail and to review your home page. K. & M. B. - Sultanate of Oman
I really like your Web site. I would like to get more information about... L.D. - Langhorne
Anyway I'm please to your good service and I will use it again when need(ed) arises. Also I can recommend your services to others needing NGM back issues. L.H.- Finland
This is great. We actually just returned from a 3 week vacation in egypt. Our guide/egyptologist was having trouble finding these exact issues. I'll take them all. A $20 check will go in the mail today. Also, I've bookmarked your site. Thanks! D.B.
The mags are great, just as promised, I appreciate the assistance in locating them. Take care. D.B. - VA.
The maps did find their way. They are great as always. This really adds to my collection. A.L. - Hellena
Recieved the Geo and maps yesterday, VERY PLEASED! Thanks, hope to do business with you again, Chris
I just finished reviewing all of the things on your web page. I am amazed at the amount of work that you have done. Michael
Thank you John B. Carey. I had thought about bidding on the (Vol. 1 #1) reprint the last time I saw it on the board. J. M. S. (now everyone knows about $2 NGS availability 1-800-777-2800 - ed.)
that information (Vol. 1 #1) is greatly appreciated. thank you. i.c.
I understand a little more of what you are describing. (Vol. 1 #1) Thank you. D.J.
THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!! (Vol. 1 #1) MUCH APPRECIATED>>>CHRIS E.
I will like to thank you for all of the books being in near perfect condition. J.K. UK
Thank you very much for your reply to my query. T.D. Australia
Received the copy! Excellent! Thanks! Question........ J.W. Portland
Hi john for the first time I visited your web site, pretty nice. Thanks P.K.K.
Received the magazine - thank you very much! R.K. netcom.com
'34 issue of National Geographic arrived today. I appreciate how well it was wrapped.
-suzie
John, You've been a lot of help. I'm definitely going to check out
your web site and see about getting started. Would you mind if I emailed you from time to
time with any questions that may arise? You seem to know a lot about what's going on in
the collecting world:) Thank you! -April
In response to your commentary on the Vol. 1 # 1 reprint, your cause is noble, all dedicated collectors should educate themsleves. -Charlie
Thank you for letting people know about this RIP-OFF. -Gill
Hello John, Just a note to thank you for your frequent postings on the board. -J.T. KA.
I am searching for the info I needed in your web page. I will contact you with any further questions. Thanks again. T. & C. J.
You have really made a splash with the Vol 1 no 1 index reprint. I bet there are at least two people out there who are a little upset. I wouldn't be surprise if they would return some of the $$'s if asked. B.C.
Thank you for your guick response to my request. I definately want that
magazine. I,m not a collector. I,ve been looking for that issue because it has a article
about the helicoper squadron I was assigned to while I was
in Vietnam. Alan B. I recieved the NG Mags you sent. You
really should have told me that I would need ten men and a strong boy to open the package!
Thank you very much. As I said in my last message, I've been looking for this issue for a
long time. But, you gave me a bonus. A bonus which I am going to use at our next squadron
reunion. In the extra 1959 issue you sent, the author talks about the trip he spent
crossing the country in a Marine helicopter. He also named the crew chief he was flying
with in 1959 (name withheld). That was my Master Gunny Sgt in 1966, maintenance
chief of Medium Marine Helicopter Squadron 362 (HMM-362)! He is alive and well and still
awes me. He will be at our squadron reunion in Pennsicola next mo. and I can't wait to
show him this article. Thanks again for your help. Also, thank you for the research.
A.B.
Thanks for the information on the bookmark. I'll be sure to check out your web site. Bob R
Thanks so much for such fast and efficient service.
I got the NG today and am glad to see the information first hand. It's been a pleasure
doing businessw with you and will do so again in the future when the ocassion
arises! Phil P
Your tip (Vol. 1 #1) is greatly appreciated. I will visit your web site. N.M.
I received the two NGs (5/19 and 2/42) I ordered from you today. They are quite nice. Much better than most copies I get of those issues. I phoned the NG back issue phone number you sent me and picked up a 1975 reprint of issue #1 for myself and a couple for gifts for friends. Thanks for your help. -D. McC.
Thank you for your efforts and letting people know what is going on. (Vol. 1 #1) "Any President that lies to the American People should resign." ---Arkansas Governor, Bill Clinton, in political debate, (1974) -D.M.
Thank you for your efforts. By now you know how much the help in these situations is appreciated. I did E mail the last person that had one of these (Vol. 1 #1) on auction and will continue to do so in the future. Thanks again J. M. S.
This has been very helpful. I got your last note
awhile back about the vol.1 #1 being available from NG
catalogs and I have since ordered two copies of it, for my birthday present to my
self. Because of your note I was able to get something I would never have been able
to afford before. (80+ dollars is out of my range).
Thanks for your efforts and keep up the great job. I love your web site.... always
interesting... M.U.
Thanks for the reply. I found your site using altavista.digital. -David -NV.
Thank you very much for your kind information. I will go thru these links. - D.H.
As a fellow historian here at the Smithsonian Institution, I greatly
appreciate your work - you provide an invaluable service. A friend of mine recently
mentioned that a good addition to my British Colonial Flag Collection would be National
Geographic magazines detailing flags of the world.... T.M. - Wash. D.C.
The page was last updated: Friday, May 07, 1999