Real Western Stories #Vol. 20 #4 (Whole number unidentified on cover, presumed #125)
Columbia Publications (Double Action Magazines) • Real Western Stories (later volume)
Writer
Gordon D. Shirreffs, Wadsworth Nealey, Lon Williams
Interior Artist
Various uncredited
Cover Artist
Uncredited (likely typical of 1950s pulp/digest studio artists)
Publication Date
December 1954
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A 'Western Pulp' magazine containing short stories and novellas including 'Silent Reckoning' by Gordon D. Shirreffs, 'The Pale Men' by Wadsworth Nealey, and 'Golden City' by Lon Williams. These stories focus on frontier justice, outlaw conflicts, and pioneer life.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Good (CGC 2.0)
Condition Details
Heavy edge wear, major corner blunting/rounding, significant spine stress and paper loss along the spine edge. Visible creasing throughout the cover and possible moisture staining or soil in the yellow header area. A sticker with handwritten notes ('Vol 20 #4 1954') is present on the front cover, which reduces the grade.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $10 - $25; Graded: $40 - $60 (low volume for graded pulps of this era/condition).
Recent Sales
Western pulp magazines from this era in 'Good' condition typically sell for $15 to $30 on auction platforms like eBay depending on the specific stories included.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The costs of grading would likely exceed the final market value given the commonality of the title and the poor condition of this specific copy.
Notable Features
Features 132 pages of 'action-packed stories'; 25 cent cover price; distinct pulp-style layout prior to the industry's full shift toward traditional comic book formats.
Authentication Notes
The item appears to be an authentic 1954 pulp magazine. The paper stock shows natural age-related yellowing consistent with the high-acid pulp paper used during that era.