MAD ##11
EC Comics • MAD Vol. 1
Writer
Harvey Kurtzman
Interior Artist
Basil Wolverton, Jack Davis, Wally Wood, Will Elder
Cover Artist
Basil Wolverton
Publication Date
May 1954
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Features the iconic 'Beautiful Girl of the Month' cover by Basil Wolverton. The issue contains various parodies including 'Murder the Story' and 'The 1954 MAD Merchandising Catalog'. It is one of the most famous covers of the EC era.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Good (CGC 2.0)
Condition Details
Extensive chipping and paper loss along the right vertical edge; significant color fading/toning to the cover stock; horizontal crease at the bottom red banner; corner blunting and spine wear visible.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $150 - $250; Graded (CGC 2.0): $300 - $450
Recent Sales
High-grade copies (9.0+) sell for over $5,000; low-grade copies like this typically fetch between $150 and $300 depending on the level of paper loss.
Grading Recommendation
Optional. While this is a highly desirable Golden Age key, the significant paper loss on the right edge inhibits a high technical grade. Professional grading would verify authenticity but may not significantly increase the value beyond the cost of the service due to the 2.0-3.0 range ceiling.
Notable Features
Iconic 'Beautiful Girl' cover by Basil Wolverton; Pre-magazine format (comic book size); EC Comics logo; 10 cent cover price.
Authentication Notes
Appearance is consistent with 1954 EC newsprint and cover stock. The aging/toning pattern matches the period. The signature 'Basil Wolverton' is clearly visible in the art.