TMNT Vol. I #1 (Mirage) 1st Printing Authentication
“How can I verify that a copy of TMNT #1 is a 1st Printing?” That’s the question I hear most often from collectors – and, of course, it’s a very important question to ask, especially if you’re seeking to buy such a sought-after and valuable collectible. It’s critical for collectors to find an accurate and concise answer they can rely on for authentication without having to decipher what’s actually true – and what’s not.
Historically, the most common method of TMNT #1 1st Printing authentication has been to simply look for the Gobbledygook #1 & #2 ad on the interior/inside back cover. While that’s definitely one of the first things to look for, it should never be used as the only verification method when dealing with raw/un-graded copies. Recent counterfeits have surfaced that have this Gobbledygook ad depicted but, upon careful inspection, the copyright date shown at the bottom of the ad is incorrect and the price on the back cover is missing; very minor details that, if gone unnoticed, would be disastrous for potential buyers. Also, the Gobbledygook ad method doesn’t assist at all with identification of pre-graded (slabbed) copies when you need to ensure that the book inside hasn’t been switched out by some nefarious scammer or scheme. Careful study of the exterior cover is a crucial step in authentication, especially since so many copies of TMNT #1 1st Printing on the market today have already been graded.
