Classics Illustrated (Gilberton)

    (Gilberton, 1941-1971, 2004-2006)
™ and © Gilberton

In 1941, Albert E. Kanter introduced Classic Comics, later renamed Classics Illustrated. Kanter’s idea was to use the comic form to make great literature accessible to readers who might never otherwise make the effort. Whether his idea represented a watering down of the classics, as some critics claimed, it was an amazingly popular move. Each of the 169 comics in this series were reprinted numerous times, with 23rd printings being relatively common. Their popularity even extended to schools, where the colorful, well-written adaptations must have seemed a welcome alternative to reading lengthy texts.

Kanter later introduced Classics Illustrated Junior, adapting children’s literature for younger readers. The series also gave rise to numerous imitations over the years.

For collectors, their popularity is particularly problematic, since the various reprintings were not clearly marked. The best clue to figuring out which printing you had of a given issue was to note the highest reorder number (HRN) from the series order form on the back of each comic.

We’d like to extend our thanks to Classics Illustrated authority Dan Malan, who has painstakingly determined the distinguishing characteristics of each printing, and who has generously allowed us to use this information here. If you’d like to learn more about this remarkable series, we would encourage you to refer to his definitive “The Complete Guide to Classics Collectibles,” available in four volumes from:

Malan Classical Enterprises
7519 Lindbergh Drive
St. Louis, MO 63117
(314) 781-2319

In later years, several other publishers would reprint issues of this series, usually with new covers or coloring.
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  NotesWriterArtist
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 7th printing

April, 1947
Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $94.99 		First edition with Classics Illustrated title; HRN #36; 64 pages Alexandre DumasMalcolm Kildale
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 8th printing

April, 1949
Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $9.99 		Line-drawin cover by Malcolm Kildale; HRN #60; 64 pages; April-June 1949 Alexandre DumasMalcolm Kildale
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 10th printing

December, 1950
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		Line-drawin cover by Malcolm Kildale; HRN #78; 64 pages Alexandre DumasMalcolm Kildale
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 11th printing

March, 1952
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		Line-drawin cover by Malcolm Kildale; HRN #93; 64 pages Alexandre DumasMalcolm Kildale
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 12th printing

December, 1953
Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $9.99 		Line-drawin cover by Malcolm Kildale; HRN #114; 64 pages Alexandre DumasMalcolm Kildale
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 13th printing

September, 1956
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		New painted cover; HRN #134; 64 pages Alexandre DumasMalcolm Kildale
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 14th printing

March, 1958
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		Painted cover; HRN #143; 64 pages Alexandre DumasMalcolm Kildale
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 18th printing

April, 1964
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $3.25 		Painted cover; HRN #167; 48 pages Alexandre DumasGeorge Evans
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 21th printing

November, 1967
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		Painted cover; HRN #166; 48 pages Alexandre DumasGeorge Evans
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 22nd printing

March, 1969
Cover Price: $0.25
1 copy available for $14.99 		Painted cover; Stiff covers; HRN #166; 48 pages; Spring 1969 Alexandre DumasGeorge Evans
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #1 - 23rd printing

March, 1971
Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $2.25 		Painted cover; Stiff covers; HRN #169; 48 pages; Spring 1971 Alexandre DumasGeorge Evans
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 8th printing

April, 1949
Cover Price: $0.00
2 copies available from $2.50 		Line-drawing cover by Malcolm Kildale; HRN #60; 64 pages; April-June 1949 Walter ScottEdd Ashe, Ray Ramsey
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 11th printing

November, 1951
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $7.99 		Line-drawing cover by Malcolm Kildale; HRN #89; 64 pages Walter ScottEdd Ashe, Ray Ramsey
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 12th printing

April, 1953
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $7.99 		Line-drawing cover by Malcolm Kildale; HRN #106; 64 pages Walter ScottEdd Ashe, Ray Ramsey
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 13th printing

July, 1954
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.99 		Line-drawing cover by Malcolm Kildale; HRN #121; 64 pages Walter ScottEdd Ashe, Ray Ramsey
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 14th printing

January, 1957
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $4.99 		New painted cover; HRN #136; 48 pages; New interior art Walter ScottNorman Nodel
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 15th printing

January, 1958
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $3.99 		Painted cover; HRN #142; 48 pages Walter ScottNorman Nodel
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 16th printing

November, 1959
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $4.99 		Painted cover; HRN #153; 48 pages Walter ScottNorman Nodel
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 17th printing

June, 1961
Cover Price: $0.15
2 copies available from $4.99 		Painted cover; HRN #149; 48 pages; Summer-Fall 1961 Walter ScottNorman Nodel
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 18th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.99 		Painted cover; HRN #167; 48 pages; Spring-Summer 1963 Walter ScottNorman Nodel
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 20th printing

January, 1965
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $6.50 		Painted cover; HRN #167; 48 pages Walter ScottNorman Nodel
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #2 - 24th printing

December, 1969
Cover Price: $0.25
1 copy available for $4.99 		Painted cover; Stiff covers; HRN #169; 48 pages; Winter 1969 Walter ScottNorman Nodel
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #3 - 12th printing

September, 1951
Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $5.99 		Alexandre DumasRay Ramsey, Allen Simon, Vivian Lipman
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #3 - 13th printing

November, 1953
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.98 		Alexandre DumasRay Ramsey, Allen Simon, Vivian Lipman
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #3 - 18th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $3.50 		Alexandre DumasLou Cameron
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #3 - 22nd printing


Cover Price: $0.25
1 copy available for $4.98 		Alexandre DumasLou Cameron
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #4 - 8th printing

April, 1949
Cover Price: $0.00
2 copies available from $2.00 		Line-drawing cover by Ray Ramsey; HRN #60; 64 pages; April-June 1949 James CooperRay Ramsey
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #4 - 9th printing

October, 1949
Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $7.99 		Line-drawing cover by Ray Ramsey; HRN #64; 64 pages James CooperRay Ramsey
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #4 - 11th printing

November, 1951
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.99 		Line-drawing cover by Ray Ramsey; HRN #89; 64 pages James CooperRay Ramsey
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #4 - 12th printing

March, 1954
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.99 		Line-drawing cover by Ray Ramsey; HRN #117; 64 pages James CooperRay Ramsey
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #4 - 13th printing

November, 1956
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		Painted cover; HRN #135; 64 pages James CooperRay Ramsey
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #4 - 15th printing

May, 1959
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $7.98 		Painted cover; HRN #150; 48 pages James CooperJohn Severin, L.B. Cole
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #4 - 18th printing

June, 1964
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $3.25 		Painted cover; HRN #167; 48 pages James CooperJohn Severin, L.B. Cole
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #4 - 19th printing

August, 1965
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $3.25 		Painted cover; HRN #167; 48 pages James CooperJohn Severin, L.B. Cole
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #4 - 21th printing


Cover Price: $0.25
1 copy available for $7.99 		Painted cover; HRN #166; R/67; 48 pages; ca. 1967 James CooperJohn Severin, L.B. Cole
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #4 - 22nd printing

March, 1969
Cover Price: $0.25
1 copy available for $9.99 		Painted cover; Stiff covers; HRN #169; Spring 1969; 48 pages James CooperJohn Severin, L.B. Cole
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #5 - 12th printing

September, 1951
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		Herman MelvilleLouis Zansky, Harvey Kurtzman
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #5 - 13th printing

April, 1954
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		Herman MelvilleLouis Zansky, Harvey Kurtzman
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #5 - 15th printing

May, 1957
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $7.98 		Painted cover; HRN #138; 48 pages Herman MelvilleNorman Nodel
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #5 - 18th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		Herman MelvilleNorman Nodel
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #5 - 22nd printing

September, 1967
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $1.25 		Painted cover; HRN #166; 48 pages Herman MelvilleNorman Nodel
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #6 - 6th printing

September, 1948
Cover Price: $0.00
2 copies available from $2.00 		Line-drawn cover by Stanley Maxwell Zuckerberg; HRN #51; 64 pages Charles DickensStanley Maxwell Zuckerberg
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #6 - 8th printing

December, 1950
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.99 		Line-drawn cover by Stanley Maxwell Zuckerberg; HRN #78; 64 pages Charles DickensStanley Maxwell Zuckerberg
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #6 - 9th printing

November, 1951
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.99 		Line-drawn cover by Stanley Maxwell Zuckerberg; HRN #89; 64 pages Charles DickensStanley Maxwell Zuckerberg
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #6 - 10th printing

March, 1954
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.99 		Line-drawn cover by Stanley Maxwell Zuckerberg; HRN #117; 64 pages Charles DickensStanley Maxwell Zuckerberg
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #6 - 11th printing

May, 1956
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		New painted cover; HRN #132; 48 pages; New interior art Charles DickensJoe Orlando, George Evans
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #6 - 16th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
3 copies available from $1.50 		Painted cover; HRN #149; 48 pages; Summer-Fall 1961 Charles DickensJoe Orlando, George Evans
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #6 - 19th printing

August, 1965
Cover Price: $0.15
2 copies available from $1.50 		Painted cover; HRN #167; 48 pages Charles DickensJoe Orlando, George Evans
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #6 - 20th printing

May, 1967
Cover Price: $0.15
2 copies available from $3.50 		Painted cover; HRN #166; 48 pages Charles DickensJoe Orlando, George Evans
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #6 - 22nd printing

June, 1970
Cover Price: $0.25
1 copy available for $9.99 		Painted cover by Norman Nodel; Stiff cover by Norman Nodel; HRN #169; Summer 1970 Charles DickensJoe Orlando, George Evans
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #7 - 5th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $49.99 		 Louis Zansky
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #7 - 7th printing


Cover Price: $0.00
2 copies available from $3.00 		 Louis Zansky
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #7 - 8th printing


Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $9.99 		 Louis Zansky
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #7 - 9th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		 Louis Zansky
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #7 - 10th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $4.99 		 Louis Zansky
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #7 - 11th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.99 		 Louis Zansky
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #7 - 18th printing


Cover Price: $0.00
2 copies available from $2.00 		 Louis Zansky
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #7 - 20th printing

March, 1965
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $4.99 		 Louis Zansky
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #7 - 21th printing

July, 1966
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		 Louis Zansky
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #7 - 23rd printing

June, 1969
Cover Price: $0.25
1 copy available for $10.00 		 Louis Zansky
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #8 - 5th printing


Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $3.00 		 Lillian Chestney
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #8 - 8th printing


Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $49.99 		 Lillian Chestney
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #9

March, 1943
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $125.00 		Victor HugoRolland H. Livingston
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #9 - 6th printing

September, 1948
Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $44.99 		Victor HugoRolland H. Livingston
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #9 - 7th printing


Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $94.99 		Victor HugoRolland H. Livingston
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #9 - 8th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $24.98 		Victor HugoRolland H. Livingston
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #9 - 9th printing

March, 1961
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $34.98 		Victor HugoRolland H. Livingston
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #10 - 6th printing


Cover Price: $0.00
1 copy available for $9.99 		Daniel DefoeStanley Maxwell
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #10 - 8th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.99 		Daniel DefoeStanley Maxwell
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #10 - 9th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.99 		Daniel DefoeStanley Maxwell
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #10 - 10th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $5.99 		Daniel DefoeStanley Maxwell
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #10 - 11th printing


Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $9.98 		Daniel DefoeStanley Maxwell
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #10 - 12th printing

September, 1957
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $1.20 		Daniel DefoeStanley Maxwell
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #10 - 18th printing

June, 1966
Cover Price: $0.15
1 copy available for $7.99 		Daniel DefoeStanley Maxwell
Classics Illustrated (Gilberton) #10 - 21th printing

June, 1970
Cover Price: $0.25
1 copy available for $19.99 		Daniel DefoeStanley Maxwell
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