Beetle Bailey ##38
Gold Key (Western Publishing) • Beetle Bailey
Writer
Mort Walker
Interior Artist
Mort Walker
Cover Artist
Mort Walker
Publication Date
August 1963
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Humorous antics following the lazy Army private Beetle Bailey at Camp Swampy. The issue features several short stories and gag strips involving Beetle avoiding work, to the frustration of Sergeant Snorkel.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Good/Very Good (CGC 3.0)
Condition Details
Moderate to heavy spine wear with visible stress lines and color breaks along the spine; significant corner blunting and minor paper loss at the bottom left; visible creasing on the right-hand side of the cover; overall surface soiling and yellowing (tanning) consistent with its age.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $5.00 - $12.00; Graded (CGC 3.0): $25.00 - $35.00
Recent Sales
Comparable low-to-mid grade issues of Beetle Bailey from this era typically sell for under $15. Higher grade copies (8.0+) can fetch $50-$80, but this copy is in the lower tier of collectibility.
Grading Recommendation
Not worth professional grading. The cost of CGC/CBCS grading fees plus shipping would exceed the market value of the book in this condition. Recommended for raw collection or reading copy only.
Notable Features
Includes the 12c price point. Classic Mort Walker cover art. Gold Key logo at top left. Issue number 10025-308 as indicated under the logo.
Authentication Notes
Authentic Silver Age printing. Key indicators include the specific Gold Key numbering system, aged newsprint interior visible at edges, and the staple placement characteristic of Western Publishing's binding process in 1963.