The Saturday Evening Post Magazine, April 22, 1961 Appraisal
Category: Magazine
Description
This is a single issue of "The Saturday Evening Post" magazine, dated April 22, 1961. The cover features a vibrant illustration depicting a couple in a suburban setting. A man is shown interacting with the trunk of a bright yellow car, while a woman is tending to a garden area with a shovel. The scene includes a modern-style house in the background, a Japanese-inspired garden element, and blooming trees. The cover prominently displays the title "The Saturday Evening POST" in large white letters. Beneath the title is the publication date "April 22, 1961" and the price of "20¢". A banner near the top right corner features the words "SHIRLEY MACLAINE" and "By PETE MARTIN," along with the article title "When Your Tax Return Is Challenged...". The bottom right corner shows a partial advertisement for "LISTERINE ANTISEPTIC," which is torn. The magazine appears to be in fair condition, with visible wear and tear, including a significant tear or missing section in the bottom right corner affecting the Listerine advertisement. The spine and edges show signs of handling and possible creasing. Despite the damage, the central illustration remains largely intact and colorful. The illustration is signed by "Hughes" in the bottom left corner. This issue represents a specific moment in popular culture and magazine publishing from the early 1960s, providing insight into prevalent topics and advertising (Listerine), and featuring content related to prominent figures of the time, such as Shirley MacLaine.
Appraisal Report
I have examined the provided image of this Saturday Evening Post magazine dated April 22, 1961. The cover features a signed "Hughes" illustration. Based on the image, the magazine appears to be in fair condition. There is significant wear and tear evident, particularly the notable tear or missing section in the bottom right corner affecting the Listerine advertisement. The spine and edges also exhibit signs of handling and creasing. Authenticity is assessed visually; it appears to be a genuine copy of a Saturday Evening Post from this era based on typography, layout, and content references (Shirley MacLaine, listed price). Market conditions for single issues of The Saturday Evening Post from the early 1960s are generally modest, unless featuring highly sought-after cover art, major historical events, or significant first appearances. This issue's content includes Shirley MacLaine and a tax article, which are items of interest but not high drivers of value. The signed illustration is a positive factor, but the overall poor condition significantly detracts from the value. Comparables in similar, fair condition typically fetch values in the lower range. Demand for common issues like this is moderate among ephemera collectors and those interested in mid-century advertising and culture. Without physical inspection, I cannot definitively verify the completeness of the interior pages or the extent of other potential internal damage, such as water stains, foxing, or loose bindings. Provenance documentation would be needed to confirm its history, though this is less common for such items. Scientific testing is not typically required for this type of ephemera. The primary factor impacting value here is the poor condition.
Appraisal Value
$5-10