Blue Bolt #Vol. 7, No. 3 (#71)
Novelty Press • Blue Bolt Vol. 7
Writer
Uncredited (Various)
Interior Artist
Jim Wilcox, L.B. Cole (various)
Cover Artist
Jim Wilcox
Publication Date
August 1946
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Features a cover story involving collegiate sports (javelin throwing). Golden Age anthology title featuring various heroes and adventure stories. By this era, the title was transitioning toward more standard adventure and thriller tropes away from its superhero origins.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Good/Very Good (CGC 3.0)
Condition Details
Visible spine wear and chipping along the left edge. Significant corner blunting, especially at the top right. Minor surface soiling and staining near the bottom center. Slight paper tanning consistent with age. General edge wear and small tears on the right side of the front cover.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $50 - $100 / Graded (3.0): $150 - $225
Recent Sales
Comparable Golden Age Blue Bolt issues in low-to-mid grade generally sell for between $75 and $150 depending on specific issue scarcity. Volume 7 issues from the mid-40s are less sought after than the early Joe Simon/Jack Kirby issues.
Grading Recommendation
Likely not worth professional grading unless for personal preservation. The cost of CGC grading plus shipping would represent a significant portion of its total market value given the low-to-mid grade condition. A professional press and clean might improve it slightly, but significant edge wear will remain.
Notable Features
Features cover art and internal art by Jim Wilcox. Part of the long-running Novelty Press Blue Bolt series that notably began with work from Simon and Kirby. This issue represents the post-WWII era of the series.
Authentication Notes
The wear patterns, paper oxidation (yellowing), and print registry appear consistent with a genuine 1946 Novelty Press publication. No immediate signs of being a modern reproduction.