Charlie Chaplin in the Movies #No. 316
M.A. Donohue & Co. • Charlie Chaplin Comic Series (Platinum Age)
Writer
Elzie Crisler (E.C.) Segar
Interior Artist
Elzie Crisler (E.C.) Segar
Cover Artist
Elzie Crisler (E.C.) Segar
Publication Date
1917
Cover Variant
Standard Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A collection of comic strips featuring the persona of Charlie Chaplin as 'The Tramp'. These stories were produced during the height of Chaplin's silent film fame. Notably, this series was drawn by E.C. Segar before he became famous for creating Popeye the Sailor.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Good/Very Good (CGC 3.0)
Condition Details
Moderate corner blunting and rounding at all four corners. Visible edge wear and chipping along the top and bottom margins. Significant tanning and age-related discoloration of the paper stock. Light creasing near the spine area. Appears to be a horizontal format 'Platinum Age' book with typical fragile staple areas for its age.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $100 - $250 / Graded: $400 - $700 (High volatility due to scarcity)
Recent Sales
Sales for Platinum Age Chaplin books in low-to-mid grades typically range from $150 to $350 depending on the specific title and merchant. Extremely high-grade copies (rare) can exceed $1,000.
Grading Recommendation
Yes, grading is recommended due to the extreme age (Platinum Age) and the historical significance of the artist, E.C. Segar (creator of Popeye). Slab protection is vital for books over 100 years old to prevent further degradation.
Notable Features
Platinum Age comic book. Artwork by E.C. Segar. Horizontal format common for early 20th-century comic collections. Features copyright notice for 'L. Keefer' and 'J. Keefer'.
Authentication Notes
The paper stock shows authentic age-toning consistent with 1917 production. The M.A. Donohue & Co. (Chicago) imprint is correctly positioned. Ink saturation is consistent with early color lithography.