Dondi ##1176
Dell Comics • Dell Four Color #1176 (Dondi: Movie Classic)
Writer
Uncredited (based on Gus Edson characters)
Interior Artist
Uncredited
Cover Artist
Photo cover identifying David Kory
Publication Date
April/June 1961
Cover Variant
Regular/A Cover (Photo Cover)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A movie tie-in comic for the 1961 film 'Dondi,' which was based on the popular newspaper comic strip. The story follows a young Italian war orphan who is smuggled into the United States by G.I.s.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Good/Very Good (CGC 3.0)
Condition Details
Visible sticker on the front cover reading '1960'. Significant spine wear with multiple stress lines and color breaks. General surface scuffing, corner rounding, and edge wear. Cover appears somewhat dulled and has slight surface indentation from pressure.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $5 - $15; Graded (9.0+): $60 - $100 (Note: High-grade copies are rare but demand for this title is generally low).
Recent Sales
Recent raw copies in Mid-to-Low grade have sold for approximately $10-$12 on eBay. High-grade slabbed copies rarely appear on the market.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The cost of the grading service would likely exceed the final market value of the comic due to the current condition and limited collector demand for this specific Dell movie tie-in.
Notable Features
Movie Classic edition. Photo cover featuring child actor David Kory. Based on the comic strip by Gus Edson and Irwin Hasen. Includes educational or promotional back-matter common to Dell Four Color issues.
Authentication Notes
The comic exhibits typical 1960s Dell newsprint aging. The Dell logo placement and interior paper texture (visible at edges) are consistent with authentic 1961 production.