Famous 1st Edition: Action Comics #1 #No. C-26
DC Comics • Famous 1st Edition / Limited Collectors' Silver Mint Series
Writer
Jerry Siegel
Interior Artist
Joe Shuster
Cover Artist
Joe Shuster (original), Fred Ray (outer cover)
Publication Date
1974
Cover Variant
Treasury Edition / Oversized
Printing
First Printing (of the 1974 Treasury Edition)
Comic Description
A exact treasury-sized reprint of the 1938 Action Comics #1. Contains the first appearance of Superman (Clark Kent) and Lois Lane. The storyline features Superman's origin and his quest to save an innocent woman from the electric chair.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good (CGC 4.0)
Condition Details
Visible heavy wrinkling and polybag compression. Significant corner blunting on the bottom right. Spine shows several color-breaking stress lines. Overall surface wear and likely tanning to the outer cardstock cover.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $30 - $60 / Graded (CGC 9.8): $300 - $450
Recent Sales
Recent raw copies in mid-grade have sold for approximately $45 on eBay. High-grade CGC 9.6+ copies consistently fetch over $250.
Grading Recommendation
Generally not recommended for professional grading unless the interior is pristine and it can achieve a 9.6 or 9.8. Mid-grade copies are common and the cost of grading often exceeds the book's value.
Notable Features
Oversized tabloid format (10" x 13.5"). It is a reprint, not the 1938 original. It contains all original advertisements and secondary features from the 1938 issue. Identified by the $1.00 cover price and the 'Famous 1st Edition' outer cover.
Authentication Notes
This is a legitimate 1970s reprint. It is often mistaken for the original 1938 issue by novice collectors; however, the size (Treasury Edition) and the outer 'Famous 1st Edition' border (unless removed) are the primary identifiers.