AI Appraisal Estimate

This item is a vintage comic book featuring the character Tarzan, published in 1978. The cover art displays Tarzan prominently in the foreground, depicted with his characteristic leopard-print loincloth, a bow, and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back. He is positioned in a dynamic stance amidst green foliage, looking intently towards the viewer. The background illustrates a vibrant jungle river scene with a large steamboat or cargo ship docked at a wooden pier on the right, suggesting an adventure setting. The dominant colors on the cover are bright yellow for the masthead, deep blue for the water, and earthy tones for Tarzan's skin and the jungle elements. The title 'EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS' TARZAN' is emblazoned across the top in red lettering with black outlines on a yellow background. Below the main title, smaller text indicates 'Nr. 23 • 1978 • Pris 15,- noms'. A sticker or handwritten mark of '15,-' reinforces the original price, possibly in Norwegian Krone, given the text 'noms' which might be an abbreviation for 'Norwegian kronor' or indicating it's a Nordic edition. The text '2 SPENNENDE EVENTYR!' (2 thrilling adventures!) is visible on the left side of the cover. Physical characteristics include a standard comic book size with a stapled spine, though the staples are not clearly visible. The paper appears to be typical newsprint or pulp paper from the era. Condition issues are evident: there is significant wear and tear along the edges and corners, indicating handling and age. The top right corner shows a distinct fold or crease. The spine exhibits some creasing and possibly minor tearing. There are also what appear to be subtle damp stains or discoloration marks visible, particularly on the left edge and near the bottom. The overall coloration, while still vibrant, may have experienced some fading or yellowing of the paper due to age. No specific artistic signatures or unique manufacturing marks beyond the publication details are discernible from the image. This comic book represents a piece of late 1970s popular culture, likely aimed at a European, specifically Nordic, audience.

Based on my visual examination of the provided image, this Tarzan Comic Book, Nr. 23 (1978), appears to be a legitimate publication from the era. The cover art, masthead, and text conform to typical comic book aesthetics for the late 1970s, specifically a Nordic edition given the 'noms' and 'Pris 15,-' marking, likely Norwegian. Authenticity cannot be definitively verified from images alone; I would need an in-person examination to check for print quality, binding anomalies, and paper characteristics against known genuine copies. Provenance documentation, such as purchase receipts or previous ownership records, would also strengthen authentication. Scientific testing like paper analysis or ink dating could further confirm its age and originality. The comic's condition is a significant factor in its low appraisal value. There is notable wear and tear, including creasing, especially on the top right corner, and apparent damp stains or discoloration. The spine shows creasing. Such condition issues severely impact collector desirability and market value. While foreign editions of popular characters like Tarzan have a niche market, this specific issue (Nr. 23) in this condition is not considered rare or highly sought after. Comparable sales for similarly conditioned 1970s foreign-language comics, even for well-known characters, typically fall in the low single to double-digit dollar range. The demand for common foreign issues in poor to fair condition is generally low among serious collectors. Therefore, I appraise this comic book at $5-$15, primarily for its historical interest as a cultural artifact rather than as a high-value collectible.