I run the popular web site, collectmad. In this guide I will discuss the many elements of collecting Mad Magazines and collectibles.

MAD COLLECTING, THE BASICS...
To collect MAD stuff, you have to be a part of an elite group of people who recognize the significance of one of the most influential magazine/comic book publications. For almost 50 years, MAD has helped paved the way for much of what we see on TV today, as well as define, both legally and artistically, the humor style known as SATIRE. There are relatively few MAD collectors competing for an even smaller amount of merchandise and collectibles. This is what makes the hobby difficult at times. This page will help new collectors understand the "basics" of collecting as they enter the hobby. The examples shown are from my collection, and represent just a fraction of the items "out there". So, if you are new to the hobby, get ready to empty the 401K and dive in! What, You Worry?

PRE-MAD
The term PRE-MAD refers to the use of MAD's mascot Alfred E. Neuman before he was adopted as the MAD symbol. One of the first sightings of what many say was the prototype of Alfred E Neuman came early in the century. The controversial "medicine" ANTIKAMNIA used a picture of a young boy sporting a missing front tooth as one of it's logos. Later, the phrase "ME WORRY" came to be associated with another version of the toothless boy in ads and publications.

UNAUTHORIZED MAD STUFF
This term refers to Alfred E Neuman stuff released without the permission of the copyright holder, E.C. Publications. Over the years, there has been plenty of this stuff. Some people were caught soon after they began to make the stuff, others never got caught. It does lend itself to quite a neat bunch of collectibles.

EARLY GENUINE MAD ITEMS
These are undoubtedly the most collectible MAD items. They can vary in value, the most expensive and rare being the MAD straight jacket and t-shirt.

CERTIFIED MAD MERCHANDISE
This is the latest attempt to license the MAD, Alfred E Neuman and Spy vs Spy characters/logos to businesses that want to "cash in" on the MAD name. They carry the "CERTIFIED MAD" logo

MAD OFFICE AND PROMOTIONAL STUFF
These are the items that were used either internally at MAD or for MAD promotions that did not involve the general public. Also included in this group of items are pieces that MAD used to promote sales of the magazine such as subscription cards and subscription bonuses.

MAD FOREIGN COLLECTIBLES
These items were released by foreign editions of MAD Magazine.

MAD TV ITEMS
Collectibles from the Fox TV show such as Emmy videos, props, publicity photos and so forth.

MAD PAPER COLLECTIBLES
This category includes non 3-D items and includes the actual MAD Magazines, Mad paperbacks Mad specials and hard cover books. It also includes non-US issues of Mad and publications with Mad related material.

In order to find this junk, Ebay is your best source. For many other Mad related Ebay links, visit the web site collectmad Happy MAD Hunting! What- You Worry?