You Can’t Underestimate the Impact of High Times Magazine
High Times has been a game-changer in the world of printed media and counterculture for decades. It has boldly pushed the boundaries of what publishers could get away with, paving the way for future generations of cannabis publications. But this is no ordinary magazine. In fact, its issues are highly sought after and can fetch large sums of money.
The King of All High Times Issues: The Premier Edition
The first edition of High Times, founded by Tom Forçade, is the ultimate collector’s item. The original team spared no expense in printing this premier edition, which debuted in June 1974 with an initial run of 10,000 copies. The cover, featuring model Elizabeth Donoghue about to consume a shroom, is made of heavy stock card foil and must have been a sight to behold for readers at the time.
The original crew was a star-studded lineup, including expert grower Ed Rosenthal, Woodstock pamphlet editor Ed Dwyer, and Yippies founder Dana Beal. While early issues covered a variety of drugs, the magazine eventually evolved to focus solely on cannabis and natural psychedelics.
The Evolution of High Times
Over the decades, High Times has undergone several design changes, reflecting the shifting times while maintaining its unique identity. And with each issue becoming more valuable than its retail price, the condition of the magazine plays a crucial role in determining its worth.
Grading High Times Issues
Thanks to organizations like Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), the premier edition of High Times is a hot-ticket item among collectors. CGC, a member of the Certified Collectors Group, is a leading provider of expert and impartial services that add value to collectibles. They have certified over 90 million items, including coins, comic books, sports cards, and of course, magazines.
CGC uses a 10-point grading scale to evaluate collectibles, with Gem Mint (10.0) being the highest grade. This means the item must have no manufacturing or handling defects and come from an immaculate print run. According to Nicki O., a representative of CGC, a magazine’s grade is a significant factor in determining its value and demand.
So what are the most common defects that collectors see in magazines? Stay tuned to find out.
