PRIME COLLECTIBLE MAGAZINES

PRIME COLLECTIBLE MAGAZINES

Issues That Have the Potentials to Become Very Valuable

 

          Among my collection of Philippine magazines, except for the truly vintage (more than half a century old as of this posting) and first issues, which are already posted in this blog, I find the following as prime collectibles, some presently having high collectibility value and others having potentials for future value increments.

          How important is the cover of a magazine for collector? When I asked my fellow collectors, their answers were just about in the middle. Some collectors collects magazines just for the covers, for its uniqueness, for its extraordinary features, for its rare quirks and foibles, and others for what the magazines contain, the write-ups, ads, pictures, and stories. For me, if I were to estimate the value of collectible magazine, the cover  comprises around 70 percent of its worth.

          The magazine cover must indeed have unique and extraordinary features for it to be potentially collectible.

 

UNIQUE AND EXTRAORDINARY

MOD Vol. 36 No. 1693, March 26, 2004,
with Christine Jacobs on the main front cover,
and Lydia de Vega, and Milo’s “40 Years” Hall of Champions print ads
on the inside cover’s folded spread.

          On its March 26, 2004 issue, MOD release a two-leaf five-page reverse folded front cover spread in celebration of Milo’s 40th year titled “Hall of Champions” (the back cover is not shown here). It featured Christine Jacob on the main front cover, Lydia de Vega on the inside front cover, and a gallery of star athletes on the reverse fold of the front page and on the succeeding six pages. This alone makes this MOD issue a prime collectible.
 

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 21 No. 9, June 24, 1997,
with Rosanna Roces on the front cover.

          This is probably the only time that Mr. & Ms. featured a totally nude celebrity on its cover (June 24, 1997 issue) in the person of Rosanna Roces wearing only a pair of crystal wings. Though nothing is really exposed, this one is as rare as it gets, and therefore very, very valuable.

 

Pinoy Playboy Vol. 1 No. 44,
with the cast of Take Home Girl on the front cover
and Anna Luna on the back cover.

          An adult magazine with seven nude women on the front cover, and yet only a single nipple can be seen, is certainly quite rare and extremely collectible. Pinoy Playboy August 9, 1984 issue featured the cast of Take Home Girls: Emily Loren and Anna Luna (on the floor), Anna Marie Gutierrez (on the sofa), Farida Yulo (kneeling sideways, the only one with an exposed nipple), and Maritess Samson, Glenda Araneta and Angela Perez (at the back of the sofa). On the back cover is Anna Luna.

 

Movie Queen Showbiz Magazine Vol. 6 No. 62,
with Vilma Santos on the front cover
and Ric Manrique Jr on the back cover.

          Where can you see a picture of Vilma Santos in a made-up leopard skin jungle outfit holding a poodle in her right arm and the leash of a monkey on her left? This Movie Queen Showbiz Magazine July 30, 1973 issue had it all captured for posterity in its front cover. To top it all, singer Ric Manrique Jr is on the back cover.

 

Playhouse Men’s Magazine Vol. 1 No. 2, February 12, 2008
(Two cover variants),
with Jeanette Joaquin (left) and Wella Williams (right)
on the front covers.

          Playhouse Men’s Magazine had only two legitimate issues. Both of them have two cover-variants, very unique, extraordinary  and groundbreaking, and all are highly collectible. This February 12, 2008 second issue featured the story “Bondage,” with Jeanette Joaquin (white underwear) on the first cover and Wella Williams on the second cover.

 

ERRORS AND MISTAKES

Aliwan Vol. 2 No. 84, March 31, 1947,
with the illustration of Alfonso Sujeco’s novel,
 Ikalimang Utos ng Diyos, on the cover.

           The magazine Aliwan, containing novels and some komiks pages started circulating in 1946. Because of its vintage, any existing copy is considered rare, but to be highly collectible it must still be in very good to excellent condition. This particular March 31, 1947 issue, which bannered the illustration of Alfonso Sujeco’s novel, Ikalimang Utos ng Diyos (“Fifth Commandment of God”), is one for the book. Why? Because, if you haven’t read the novel, you will think that either its title is wrong or the cover illustration is wrong. In the Bible (Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5), the Fifth Commandment is “Honor thy father and mother” and not “Thou shall not kill” as implied in the novel’s title and cover spread illustration. While the mistake maybe out of ignorance or a religious foible, either way it gives intrinsic value to the magazine.
 

 

Celebrity World Vol. 3 No. 153, July 11, 1994,
with Gretchen Barretto on the cover.

          Errors such as typos and misspellings are quite rare, especially on a magazine cover. This is because the publication goes through several editing and proofreading eyes. So, any such occurrence is considered to have intrinsic value. Take a look at the spelling (encircled by red line) of the word “collision” on this Celebrity World July 11, 1994 issue cover.

 

Mr. & Mr. Vol. 20 No. 8, June 25, 1996,
with Regine Velasquez and Kuh Ledesma on the cover

          For this Mr. & Ms. June 25, 1996 issue, the mistake maybe considered not readily known unless you check the issue date with the issue volume and number. This is one reason why this issue is extremely collectible and very valuable. The other is the front cover itself, featuring the rare instance that two well-known Philippine diva, Regine Velasquez and Kuh Ledesma, grace the cover.

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PRIME COLLECTIBLE MAGAZINES

PRIME COLLECTIBLE MAGAZINES

Issues That Have the Potentials to Become Very Valuable

          Among my collection of Philippine magazines, except for the truly vintage (more than half a century old as of this posting) and first issues, which are already posted in this blog, I find the following as prime collectibles, some presently having high collectibility value and others having potentials for future value increments.

          Magazines that possess nostalgia whether in their covers or contents are very much collectible, that includes events in history, portraits of national heroes or former presidents, pictures of celebrities when they were much younger, print ads of products no longer in the market, etc.

 

 

YOUNG ONCE

Gintong Mariposa Family Magazine Vol. 1 No. 8, February 25, 1992,
with the Gutierrez Family on the front cover
and Cristina Gonzales (Sun Beach sandal print ads) on the back cover.

          Gintong Mariposa Family Magazine featured several family photographs on its covers that can now be considered nostalgic. Its February 25, 1992 issue features the Gutierrez Family on the front cover with Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama and their visibly young children (from left of the cover: Richie Paul, Raymond, Rocky, Richard, Elvis, and Ruffa).  On the back cover is Cristina Gonzales in a bikini on a Sun Beach sandal print ads. Very rare!

 

 

 

Gintong Mariposa Family Magazine Vol. 1 No. 12, April 28, 1992,
with the Joey Marquez–Alma Moreno extended family on the front cover
and Cristina Gonzales (Sun Beach sandal print ads) on the back cover.

          Another Gintong Mariposa Family Magazine, April 28, 1992 issue, features Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno and their extended family (from left Jasm, J.B., Yeoj, Mark Anthony and Vandolph). On the back cover is Cristina Gonzales in a nightie on a Sun Beach sandal print ads. Another rare one!

  
 

Gintong Mariposa Family Magazine Vol. 1 No. 13, May 12, 1992,
with Bong Daza and Gloria Diaz,

and their daughters isabelle and Ava of the front cover

and Cristina Gonzales (Sun Beach sandal print ads) on the back cover.

          A third Gintong Mariposa Family Magazine, May 12, 1992 issue, features on the cover, Miss Universe 1969, Gloria Diaz and then husband, Gabriel “Bong” Daza III, and their daughters Isabelle, which was only four years old, and Ava.

Gintong Mariposa Family Magazine Vol. 1 No. 17, July 14, 1992,
with Michael de Mesa and Gina Alajar,

and their sons Jeffrey, A.J. and Ryan on the front cover

and Cristina Gonzales (Sun Beach sandal print ads) on the back cover.

          Now this Gintong Mariposa Family Magazine, July 14, 1992 issue, is extremely collectible. Aside from featuring Michael de Mesa and then wife Gina Alajar, and their young children Jeffrey, A.J. and Ryan Eigenmann on the cover, the inset is a wedding picture of Rudy Fernandez and Lorna Tolentino, and the magazine contains write-ups and pictorials of the Rudy-Lorna nuptial.

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 19 No. 26, October 24, 1995,
with Donna Cruz, Aga Muhlach, Donita Rose, and Vina Morales
on the front cover and
four celebrity endorsers (Cream Silk print ads) on the back cover.

          This Mr. & Ms. October 24, 1995 issue featured the “younger” version of Aga Muhlach, Donna Cruz, Donita Rose and Vina Morales together on the front cover, and four celebrity commercial endorsers on a Cream Silk print ads. This one can be considered rare, has nostalgia, has high intrinsic value and great potential for future value increments.

Celebrity World Vol. 4 No. 241, March 25, 1996,
with Patrick Garcia on the front cover.

          Here is another rare one, this time a March 25, 1996 issue of Celebrity World, featuring 14-year-old Patrick Garcia. The magazine cover story of him contains insights on the product commercials he did as a kid including his first, Zenco Footsteps, when he was barely six years old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 20 No. 33, December 17, 1996,
with CJ Ramos and Shaina Magdayao on the front cover.

          Without their names on the cover, you would most probably still recognize the two kids as CJ Ramos (then 10-year-old) and Shaina Magdayao (then soon-to-be seven years old). This Mr. & Ms. December 17, 1996 issue is one hot copy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 20 No. 45, March 18, 1997,
with Stefano Mori, Angelica Panganiban, Carlo Aquino and Camiile Prats
on the front cover.

          They were just kids, when Stefano Mori, Angelica Panganiban, Carlo Aquino and Camille Prats, made it to the front cover of Mr. & Ms. March 18, 1997 issue. Another very rare issue of Mr. & Ms. with great potential for future value increment.

 

 

Savvy Vol. 3 No. 16, October 20, 1997,
with Jaclyn Jose and her daughter, Andi Eigenmann,
only seven years old at the time, on the front cover.

          Magazines with celebrity mothers and their daughters on the cover are sought after by collectors, again for their nostalgic effects. This one, Savvy October 20, 1997 issue features Jaclyn Jose and her daughter, Andi Eigenmann, when she was but seven years old.

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PRIME COLLECTIBLE MAGAZINES

PRIME COLLECTIBLE MAGAZINES

Issues That Have the Potentials to Become Very Valuable

 

          Among my collection of Philippine magazines, except for the truly vintage (more than half a century old as of this posting) and first issues, which are already posted in this blog, I find the following as prime collectibles, some presently having high collectibility value and others having potentials for future value increments.

            In collecting magazines, one looks for interesting features both on the front and back covers that are unique, have intrinsic factors, and as such are potentially valuable. Some had the same celebrity, whether identical or different profile, on both front and back covers. The defunct Atlas Publishing used to have front and back covers bannered by the same celebrity picture with their 1960s and 1970s Pogi and Sixteen magazines. Collectibility-wise, however, the ones with different poses by the same celebrity on the front and back, like those published my Men’s Edge and MOD, are more valuable than those with identical front and back covers.
 

FRONT AND BACK       

Pogi Magazine for Men Vol. 1 No. 9, July 24, 1969,
with actress Caroline Kennedy on the cover.

        Pogi Magazine for Men, started its run of issues having the same celebrity picture on for both its front and back covers. This multiplied its already high collectibility value. What really made the Pogi issues very valuable are the groundbreaking contents, articles and news about sex and sexuality, pin-ups and pictorials, komiks stories including the fame “Uhaw” (written by Deo Villegas and drawn by Esquivias, that was made into the pioneer bomba film), “Sa Bawat Saglit... Sindak” (written by Mars Ravelo and drawn by Mar T. Santana), and the comedy series of one-pagers “Dr. Ispongklong” (written by Ted Tenorio and drawn by Bert Sarile). In fact, gram for gram, page for page, Pogi is the highest valued Filipino magazine from the 1930s to the present. Notice on the bottom right corner it is written “100,000 copies” but as of this posting, this issue is considered moderately rare.

 

Sixteen Vol. 3 No.60, December 14, 1970,
with three-and-a-half years old Snooky Serna on the cover.

          This Sixteen December 14, 1970 issue is another example of having the same pictures on both front and back cover. As I’ve mentioned, ordinarily they have lesser value than those with different poses, but this particular issue maybe an exception since it featured Snooky Serna when she was but three-and-a-half years old. Plus this magazine has komiks inside.

 

 

 

 

Intimate Vol. 1 No. 14 (c. late 1980s),
with Brandy Ayala on the cover.

          Some “For Adults Only” Filipino magazines like Babae, Bedmate, Intimate (like this late 1980s issue with Brandy Ayala on the cover), etc., also did the same in some of their issues. Again, this and its vintage will only serve to multiply the value of the magazine as determined by the other factors, rarity, contents, condition, who’s on the cover, and other intrinsic considerations.

 

Blue Book Vol. 1 No. 24, August 26, 1970,
with Nora Aunor on the cover.

          Nora Aunor, the Superstar, was the talk of the town during her stardom. For die-hard Noranians, every magazine with her on the cover is collectible and will be treasured, including this rare Blue Book August 26, 1970 issue released barely three years after winning the Tawag ng Tanghalan singing competition.

Sixteen Vol. 3 No.64, February 14, 1971,
with Vilma Santos on the cover.

          On the other side, Vilmanians also collect and treasure magazines with Vilma Santos gracing the cover, including this Sixteen February 14, 1971 issue, which featured their “star for all season” when she was still a cute and chubby but beautiful 17 years old.
   




   



Men’s Edge Vol. 2 No. 1, February 1995,
with Rachel Lobangco on the cover.

         Men’s Edge, with its short run of 12 issues, has a couple of prime collectibles. One of which is its February 1995 issue featuring on both its front and back cover, Rachel Lobangco, launched into fame by the SMB commercial as the Shh... Boom Girl. It is also valuable because of its content, which include black-and-white sexy pictorials not only of Rachel Lobangco but also of Giselle Sanchez and Gretchen Barretto.

 

 

 

 

 

Men’s Edge Vol. 2 No. 2, April 1995,
with Alma Concepcion on the cover

          Another Men’s Edge prime collectible is its April 1995 issue with Alma Concepcion on front and back covers. This especially if one considers the beauty queen-actress colorful history of controversies and struggles.

 

  

  

 

 



MOD Vol. 37 No. 1789, February 10, 2006,
with Kristine Hermosa on the cover

          This one is a given. MOD’s February 10, 2006 issue with Kristine Hermosa, one of the most beautiful faces to grace magazine covers, on both front and back (Sara Lee commercial) covers. It has all the ingredients of collectibility, with high future value increments.

 

 

Philippine Free Press Vol. 15 No. 81, April 15, 1989,
with President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos,
and the Marcos Family on the front cover,
and Robert Jaworski (Nescafe Master Roast print ads)
on the back cover.

          The Philippine Free Press was known to be “critical” of President Ferdinand Marcos (1917-1989) and First Lady Imelda Marcos during the 1980s. Yet, the magazine featured the entire Marcos family on the front cover on its April 15, 1989 issue. This was also barely three years after the EDSA Revolt. The public, and that includes magazine collectors, are so intrigued. To top it all, the back cover features Robert Jaworski on a Nescafe Master Roast print ads. This one commands a high price in the collectors market.

  

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 19 No. 3, May 16, 1995,
with Joey Albert and her daughters Trixie and Margi on the front cover
and Aiko Melendez (Rexona print ads) on the back cover.

          Mr. & Ms. has several issues having both front and back covers rated with high collectibility. Among them is this May 16, 1995 issue featuring the quite “very rare” occasion of having Joey Albert (with her daughters Trixie and Margi) on the cover. On the back cover is Aiko Melendez on a Rexona print ads.

Mr. & Ms. Vol. 22 No. 34, December 15, 1998,
with brothers Michael de Mesa and Mark Gil,
and their sons, Ryan Eigenmann and Gabby Eigenmann, respectively,
on the front cover,
and Sharon Cuneta (Alaska Milk print ads) on the back cover.

          This Mr. & Ms. December 15, 1998 issue features double celebrity fathers and their children pictorial, the Eigenmann brothers together: Michael de Mesa (Michael Edward Gil Eigenmann) and his son Ryan Eigenmann, and Mark Gil (Raphael John Gil Eigenmann, 1961-2014) and his son Gabby Eigenmann, on the front cover. On the back cover is Sharon Cuneta on an Alaska Milk print ads.
 




Prime Weekly Edition Vol. 3 No.5, February 4, 1988,
with Nanette Medved on the front cover,
and Alice Dixson (Palmolive soap print ads) on the back cover.

          This Prime Weekly Edition February 4, 1988 issue is considered extremely rare and highly valued. It features Nanette Medved, who was then barely 17 years old, on the front cover. Three years after that Medved portrayed the 1991 Darna. Alice Dixson, at barely 19 years old, graced the back cover on a Palmolive soap print ads. Dixson became a household name through the TV version of this commercial endorsement where she blurted out the phrase “I can feel it!”
 

Tik At Tik Vol. 1 No. 25, June 3, 1983,
with Techie Agbayani on the front cover
and Rosemarie de Vera on the back cover.

          Tik At Tik, as its subtitle reads, was a magazine about everyday life and showbiz. It contains write-ups and columns about films and celebrities, sexy pictures, mild erotica, and a few pages of komiks. It also has a relatively short run, and some of the issues are sought after by collectors. This one, June 3, 1983 issue, featuring Tetchie Agbayani on the front cover and Rosemarie de Vera on the back cover, is among them.







Spiff Vol. 1 No. 4, June 2008,
with Kiera Pagalinawan on the front cover
and Cory Qurino (MET Tathione print ads) on the back cover.

          Spiff was a short-run magazine aimed to cater to the Call Center Industry, having only seven published issues. This June 2008 fourth issue has a unique cover featuring Ziera Pagkalinawan on the front cover and Cory Quirino on a MET Tathione print ads on the back cover. This and the rest of the six other issues are collectible collectively.

10 Magazine Vol. 2 No.19, September 2002,
Tricia Borromeo on the front cover
and Halina Perez on the back cover.

          The 10 Magazine is an adult-oriented publication that had a short intermittent circulation from 2001 to 2006. One more issue of this magazine that can be considered collectible is Vol. 2 No. 19 (September 2002) featuring Patricia Borromeo (1971-2003) on the front cover and Halina Perez (1981-2004) on the back cover. Why? Because both celebrities had since passed away and, to some collectors, this is a very significant factor.

         

Sports World Vol. 11 No. 41, November 12-18, 1983,
with Claudia Zobel on the front cover,
and Christopher de Leon (Eskinol Master print ads) on the back cover.

          Speaking of celebrities who passed away, here is Sports World November 12-18, 1983 issue featuring Claudia Zobel (1965-1984) on the front cover, with inside black-and-white pictorials. Adding to the value is the Christopher de Leon Eskinol Master print ads on the back cover.

Celebrity World Vol. 3 No. 176, December 19, 1994,
with Dolphy and Vandolph on the front cover,
and Harvey Gomez and Beth Tamayo (Urban Sport print ads)
on the back cover.

          Magazines with Dolphy (1928-2012) on  the cover had become very much collectible since he passed away. Add the nostagia of having him and his son Vandolph together in the cover makes this Celebrity World December 19, 1994 issue a prime collectible. An added bonus is the Urban Sports print ads featuring Beth Tamayo and Harvey Gomez.

Kislap Vol. 4 No. 390, March 4, 1976,
with Christopher de Leon and Nora Aunor on the front cover,
Niño Muhlach (Papa Picolino Soup print ads) on the back cover.

          This one, a Kislap March 4, 1976 issue has all the ingredients of a prime collectible, having Christopher de Leon and Nora Aunor, who were at the time still husband and wife, on the front cover, and Niño Muhlach, the “Wonder Boy of Philippine Cinema,” when he was four-and-a-half years old, on the Papa Picolino Soup print ads on the back cover.











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