Are Old TV Guides Worth Anything? The Issues Collectors Want
TV Guide sat on top of the television in tens of millions of homes, and a lot of people kept the issues with their favourite shows on the cover. That's both why you might have a pile and why most of them aren't rare. The good news is that TV Guide collectors care about covers, so a few specific issues are worth much more than the rest.
Most old TV Guides sell for a few dollars to around $20. The first issue and certain famous covers sell for considerably more.
The first issue
The first national TV Guide is dated April 3, 1953. Its cover shows Lucille Ball's newborn son, Desi Arnaz Jr., with a small inset of Lucille Ball, and it's the most valuable regular issue. Clean copies sell for hundreds of dollars, and professionally graded high-condition copies for more. Because it's the one everyone looks for, check condition carefully and compare against sold listings in the same grade.
Covers collectors look for
Value comes from who's on the cover. Some of the issues collectors pay up for:
- September 25, 1953: George Reeves as Superman.
- July 17, 1954: Roy Rogers.
- October 23, 1954: Walt Disney, wanted by Disney collectors as well as TV Guide collectors.
- September 8, 1956: Elvis Presley.
- September 8, 1962: the Bonanza cast. Michael Landon covers in general are popular.
- March 21, 1964: The Andy Griffith Show.
- March 26, 1966: Adam West as Batman.
- March 4, 1967: William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy for Star Trek.
- April 4, 1970: The Brady Bunch.
The pattern is the same as with other magazines: issues that cross over to another group of collectors, such as Superman, Disney, Star Trek or Elvis fans, sell better than issues that only interest TV Guide collectors.
Regional editions
For most of its history TV Guide was printed in many regional editions with local listings, at one point well over a hundred. The cover was usually the same nationwide, so for most issues the edition doesn't change the value much. Some collectors do seek particular regional editions, so note the edition printed on yours when you look it up.
What reduces value
Mailing labels on the cover, torn or missing covers, water damage, crossed-out listings and missing pages all bring the price down. TV Guides were small and handled constantly, so clean, flat copies from the 1950s and 1960s are genuinely scarce, and condition makes a big difference.
How to check what yours are worth
Search eBay for "TV Guide" plus the exact date, filter to Sold items, and match condition and edition. Check the cover first: if it's a show or star with a fan following, it's worth looking up individually. If you have a box of 1980s and 1990s issues with no notable covers, they're best sold as a lot.
The general approach is in the guide to finding out what an antique is worth, and the Valued app can identify an issue from a photo of the cover. If you also have old Life magazines or Sports Illustrated in the same box, those guides work the same way.
Common questions
Are old TV Guides worth anything?
Most sell for a few dollars to around $20. The April 3, 1953 first issue sells for hundreds of dollars in good condition, and covers featuring Superman, Elvis, Star Trek, Disney, the Brady Bunch and similar fan favourites sell for more than average.
What is the most valuable TV Guide?
The first national issue, dated April 3, 1953, with Desi Arnaz Jr. on the cover. High-grade copies sell for the most.
Does the regional edition matter?
Usually not much, since most covers were the same nationwide. Some collectors want specific editions, so note yours when you check prices.
Should I sell old TV Guides individually or as a lot?
Look up the early issues and famous covers individually. Ordinary later issues without notable covers sell better, and more easily, as a lot.