Skip to main content
Go to accessibility options

Description

All-Story - October 1912 First Appearance of Tarzan (Munsey) Condition: VG. This legendary pulp features the first appearance of Tarzan in any medium, making it the most valuable pulp magazine. While many pulp collectors have referred to this book as the "Action Comics #1 of pulps", that moniker actually does a disservice to the book's incredible influence, rarity, and value. Bookery's describes it as "RARE", noting that there are "probably fewer than 20 existing copies" and that it is "currently the single most valuable pulp magazine".
This is the highest-graded unrestored copy we've ever offered and only the eighth, with three of those being incomplete and one being a British Pence copy. With the vast majority of this issue's very few remaining copies having some degree of restoration or missing covers or pages, a complete unrestored copy is an incredible find in any condition, making this VG a miraculous opportunity for pulp and comic collectors. Our most recent complete unrestored sales of this book include a FR/GD copy ending at $48,000 in April 2022 and a Pence copy in similar condition to this copy going for $68,750 in October 2021.
This issue includes the entirety of "Tarzan of the Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs. This story marks not only the first appearance of Tarzan, but also Burroughs' second published story, his first story published under his own name, and his first cover story. Clinton Pettee provides the issue's classic cover featuring Tarzan, the first published image of the Lord of the Jungle. The story would later be reprinted in the McClurg book edition almost two years later, with the text varying in a number of respects.
Burroughs previously introduced John Carter in his first story, released in the July 1912 issue of All-Story. John Carter and Tarzan's successes would lead to Burroughs writing numerous sequels and his continued success for decades to come, as well as proving the viability of serialized pulp heroes. Without John Carter and Tarzan, there is no Pellucidar, Shadow, Doc Savage, Batman, or Superman. "Tarzan of the Apes" would go on to change not only the world of pulps, but pop culture internationally.
This copy has not been trimmed. It has a 2" spine split at the bottom of the front cover, a slight split at the top of the front cover, and minor fraying to the spines. There is a 0.5" piece of tape on the front cover interior, chipping, two bug chews to the exteriors leading into page margins, creasing, and staining. Still, it presents sharply for a VG copy with the grade coming from an accumulation of small defects, most of which do not affect the book's eye appeal or the remarkably sharp spine. Bookery's Guide to Pulps Second Edition GD value = $15,000; VG value = $35,000; VF value = $90,000.


Auction Info

Auction Dates
January, 2024
11th-14th Thursday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 47
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 3,741

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.

Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Sales Tax information

Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More

Terms and Conditions  |  Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments |  Glossary of Terms  | Comics Grading Tutorial

Sold on Jan 11, 2024 for: $264,000.00
Track Item