Classics Illustrated is one of the most challenging and addictive comic book titles to collect.  But it is also mystifying to many novice collectors and non-collectors.  This review is meant to bring the uninitiated up to speed on Classics Illustrated collecting terminology.

The first thing that should be understood is that most Classics Illustrated titles were continuously in print from the first time they hit the newsstand until 1971.  The 2nd issue (Ivanhoe), for example, had 25 different printings over a period of 30 years.

Collectors refer to classics not just by issue number (1-169), but also HRN or HIGHEST REORDER NUMBER.  Every printing of every issue of Classics Illustrated printed from April 1943 has an advertisement for all the Classics Illustrated titles one could order. (Usually this is on the back cover but sometimes it is on one of the inside covers.)  The most recent title (highest issue number) on that list is the HRN or Highest Reorder Number.  When referring to Classics Illustrated comics, collectors will give the issue number first and then the HRN in parentheses.

For instance, let's say you have issue # 16, Gulliver's Travels.  Now look on the back cover and you'll see the highest issue on the reorder list is # 155 (Lion of the North).  A collector would refer to that as:

Classics Illustrated # 16 (HRN 155)

or simply

Classics Illustrated 16 (155).

Another point to be understood is that THE SERIES WAS CONSTANTLY CHANGING, and THE REPRINTS TENDED TO EVOLVE WITH THE TITLE.

When Classics Illustrated first started, for example, the title was called CLASSIC COMICS, and the reprints were also called CLASSIC COMICS.  Hence, reprints with HRN's below # 35 are called CLASSIC COMICS REPRINTS, or CCR's for short.

Originally, Classics Illustrated had line-drawn covers.  With issue # 81 the title switched to painted covers.  Gradually, the reprinted titles were given painted covers as well.  Thus, one might refer to:

 LDR's (LINE DRAWING REPRINTS) and
PCR's (PAINTED COVER REPRINTS.

Sometimes the cover was redrawn or reprinted.  The second version of a title's Line Drawn Cover is called the LDR2.  The second version of a title's painted cover is called PCR2.

Starting around 1953, many of the Classics Illustrated titles were redrawn.  There were several reasons for this.  First, the old 1940's art was kind of primitive relative to the new stuff.  Second, the page count of the title had gone from 68 to 52, and simply removing pages resulted in continuity problems.  Third, Classics Illustrated was heavily under attack by the anti-comics crusaders of the pre-code era.  Most parents approved of Classics Illustrated, so it was reasoned that if Classics could be discredited, all comic books by extention could be attacked as well.

As a result, most of the horror and crime-related titles were redrawn or scrapped entirely.  Collectors will sometimes refer to the 2nd art variation of a title as "new art", but usually this is understood by the HRN of the title.

One thing to understand about Classics Illustrated is that they STOPPED PRINTING NEW TITLES in 1962, with issue # 167 (Faust).  The period from 1962 to 1968 is the most confusing to novices because a title will often have multiple variations with an HRN of 167.   Also, for a time, Gilberton reverted to THE ORIGINAL  (erroneous 1940's) DATE that a title was published.  On eBay, it is common to see dealers unfamiliar with this listing a 1960's reprint as a 1940's original.  This is easy to spot, as the 1960's reprints have painted covers and 15 cent cover prices, versus the 1940's originals with 10 cent cover prices and line drawn covers.

Very late in the series, around 1969, Gilberton raised the price of the title to 25 cents and printed the books with stiff cardboard covers. The only titles to exist only as stiff cover variations are # 168 (In Freedom's Cause) and # 169 (Negro Americans The Early Years).

Why did Gilberton stop releasing new titles of the series?  Primarily, this was due to an ongoing dispute with the post office.  For postal purposes, Gilberton wanted to refer to Classics Illustrated as a "magazine", which could be sent 3rd Class.  The Post Office insisted that Classics Illustrated was a "book" and not eligible for the cheaper mailing rate.  Gilberton tried to comply with postal regulations by adding text features (such as the stories of operas and heroic dog stories), and even by adding additional comic book stories with different characters.  But the post office would not budge.

By the early 1960's Gilberton decided it had enough of this and stopped issuing new titles.  Some new English language titles were published for the British, Australian and New Zealand Classics Illustrated series.  These are quite rare and often sell for hundreds of dollars, especially # 158 A (Doctor No), which was reprinted in the USA as DC's Showcase # 43.

The british series also had new covers for a number of the Line-Drawn titles.  There is even new artwork for the British version of Typee.  Good luck finding one.

Classics Illustrated also spawned many imitators.  The most successful was a title called Fast Fiction, which changed its name to Stories By Famous Authors Illustrated.  Eventually the title was bought out by Gilberton, but not before they had released 13 different issues.  The unpublished artwork for issue Famous Authors # 14 (Red Badge of Courage) was printed as Classics Illustrated # 98 (August, 1952).

During its 30 year run, there were more than 2 BILLION copies of Classics Illustrated printed.  Because of this, the title is very accessible.  Low grade reprints can often be had for less than the cover price of a brand new comic.

Usually, collectors evolve in this fashion:

* First, they try to collect as many different title numbers as they can.  Some stop after they get to needing the more expensive numbers.  Many will also collect the 1990's First Comics Classics Illustrated series or the 1970's Marvel Classics series or the 1970's King Classics series.

* Next, some try to collect one of each title, including the tough ones.
Because of this, there is quite a bit of price pressure on tough to find issues like # 43 (Great Expectations) and # 14 (Westward Ho!).

* After this, some try to collect some or all of the related Classics titles.  (Special Issues, World Around Us, Classics Illustrated Junior, The Best From Boys Life).

* Beyond this, some try to collect one of each Classics Illustrated artwork variation and/or cover variation.

* Beyond this, some try to collect ORIGINAL PRINTS of each of the classics illustrated titles.  Originals can be distinguished because their HRN is very close to the issue  number.  Also, they have "Coming Next" ads for the next title.  Only 2 reprints have "coming next" ads 55 Silas Marner (HRN 75) and 57 Song Of Hiawatha (HRN 75).  Both of these have blank circles for the price instead of 10 cents.

* After this, some collectors go after the much harder to find giveaways, giants, store displays, original art and other rare items.

* Beyond this, some collectors try to get the foreign variations, especially the english language titles not printed in the USA.

* Beyond this, some collectors go after foreign classics-related titles, such as Britain's Double Duo or A Classic In Pictures.  Also, they will go for some of the more exotic foreign series, such as the Greek or Brazillian or Scandanavian series which have numerous titles not printed in the United States.

* Some collectors have been known to go so far as to collect the actual BOOKS that the Classics Illustrated comics were adapted from.  Especially popular are well illustrated antique books by illustrators such as NC Wyeth or Gustave Dore.

Anyway, the world of Classics Illustrated is quite diverse and intricate, offering collectors a myriad of collecting possibilities suitable for any budget.  Good luck!