The True “Power” Of Nintendo Collector Anecdotes And Antics

time, Nintendo also knew that in order to successfully launch their new brand in the United States, they would need an effective print advertising campaign. The first attempt to do this was a simple newsletter-like publication that was given free of charge to anyone who registered their original Nintendo Entertainment System upon purchase.

By Shawn Surmick

In the antiques and collectibles trade, magazine collecting has never really been considered a top tier collecting category. Even with the advent of third-party grading for magazines, very few iconic magazines have garnered a cult-like following. One exception to this rule is vintage Nintendo Power magazines. First published in 1988, with a cover date of July/August 1988, there were over 3.6 million copies of the first issue of Nintendo Power produced. The majority of these magazines were given out by Nintendo free of charge to drum up interest in their new magazine. By the time the publication went into print, Nintendo mania was in full swing.

But, before we talk about the power of Nintendo Power, we have to talk about why this even matters at all. The original Nintendo Entertainment System (also known as the NES) was launched in 1985, and after successfully completing a test market run in New York City and Los Angeles simultaneously, the system took North America by storm in 1986. By 1987, almost every kid in America would want to own a Nintendo. Nintendo capitalized on this by releasing brilliant television advertising that graced consumers’ living rooms with taglines such as, “Now you’re playing with power!” Given that there was no internet or social media formats during this

Nintendo Fun Club, as it was called, was a simple, severalpage newsprint-like publication that was sent free of charge via mail. The publication would last only seven issues before being discontinued and replaced with a bigger and better option.

Nintendo Power was seen as the answer, and issue one would feature an iconic cover that showcased Nintendo’s new blockbuster game, “Super Mario Bros. 2,” which every Nintendo enthusiast wanted to own.

I was one of the lucky enthusiasts who was sent a copy of this publication, and I fondly remember what it was like to have this come in the mail. Most of the Nintendo enthusiasts who received this first issue back in 1988 read and abused their copies. I remember taking mine everywhere with me, from school to my bedroom and the dining room table. My parents were forced to order me a full subscription to the publication in hopes I would stop talking about it. Very few of these first issues were saved and preserved in near-mint condition, even though the magazine was originally well packed and came in a plain manila envelope. Nintendo Power would prove to be a massive success for the company and would be discontinued with issue 285 in December 2012. In December 2017, Nintendo decided to name a Podcast after the publication as a tribute to the power (pun intended) of the brand. Looking through old issues of Nintendo Power today is like recovering your lost youth if you were lucky enough to grow up in the late

1980s and early 1990s. The magazine just drips with nostalgia. Until the past few years, most vintage issues of Nintendo Power magazine, even early ones, did not have a lot of monetary value on the secondary market. There are, however, several reports of the first issue selling for amounts of $1,000 or less over the last decade or so, even in what was perceived to be near-mint condition. However, with the advent of third-party grading coming to vintage video games, it was only a matter of time before interest in all early Nintendo video game merchandise started to become en vogue. When thirdparty grading started being offered for magazines, interest in early Nintendo Power magazines took off, with issue one being the most desired.

Warnings about the perceived rarity of Nintendo Power issue one in near-mint condition started to prove true back in 2022. On Nov. 4, 2022, Heritage Auctions auctioned off a Nintendo Power issue one graded by CGC in 9.4 (near mint) condition. The book fetched a respectable $24,000 at auction and cemented itself as a top tier Nintendo collectible. Enthusiasts and critics alike took to various collecting forums to tout or criticize the sale. There are only a handful of these issues known to be in near-mint or better condition and, in all honesty, given what certain high-grade comic books sell for, the $24,000 amount does not seem that ridiculous. Very few collectors would be able to predict at that time what a copy in 9.8 condition would sell for, but make no mistake, that question would be answered soon!

Then on April 23, 2023, Heritage Auctions sold a 9.8 copy for a record price of $108,000. To put this in perspective, another first issue of Nintendo Power in this same auction yet graded in 7.5 condition (very fine minus) sold for only $1,020, which shows just how condition-sensitive collectors are when looking for collectibles like this.

Special Memorial Day Weekend Sale

Set For Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall

Annual Sale Scheduled For May 27 To 29

The Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall will host its annual Memorial Day Weekend Sale from Saturday, May 27, through Monday, May 29. Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall is located at 3371 Lincoln Highway East in Paradise, Pa., on Route 30. It is four miles west of Route 41 and six miles east of the Rockvale Square Outlet Mall in Lancaster County.

The huge, 26,000-squarefoot facility houses a wide variety of antiques and collectibles displayed by over 125 dealers. Merchandise featured includes items such as furniture, glassware, sterling silver, clocks, advertising, jewelry, fine china, toys, books, postcards, trains, Christmas items, pottery, linens, primitives, kitchenware, and much more.

Housed inside the antique mall is an Old Time General Store. Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall offers convenient parking for over 100 vehicles, with a spacious area for campers, trailers, and tour buses. The shop is clean, climate-controlled, brightly lit and carpeted.

Shop-goers may also want to visit the stores out in front of the mall. Not Just Baskets of Cackleberry Farm is a unique gift shop filled with quilts, baskets, candy, gifts for pets, candles, framed prints, and all sorts of of other great gift ideas. Many items in the wide assortment of merchandise are on sale for a limited time.

Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5

According to the CGC census that lists how many copies they graded and in what grade, there is only one copy of Nintendo Power issue one in 9.8 condition, none in 9.6 condition (the next grade under) and four total in 9.4 condition. This proves this magazine is quite scarce. I want to make sure readers understand the price difference between a 7.5 versus a 9.4 versus a 9.8 conditioned copy because when I write an article like this, I occasionally get contacted by someone who claims to have the item in question. Almost always the item is nowhere in near mint condition, so while almost any copy of Nintendo Power issue one does most certainly have some value on the secondary market, very few would be worth grading, let alone have the value of a 9.4 or 9.8 copy specified above.

Regular readers will note that I have been especially harsh on the price points that certain vintage video game collectibles have obtained over these past few years, as the market was in a speculative euphoria for quite some time. This, however, is actually one sale that I agree with due to the definite rarity of locating this item in near-mint or better condition. The name Nintendo Power sure seems to fit. Until next time, thanks for reading. p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on Tuesday. On Monday, May 29, the antique mall will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and debit cards are accepted. Gift certificates, layaway, and shipping are also available.

Shawn Surmick has been an avid collector since the age of 12. He currently resides in his hometown of Boyertown, Pa., and is a passionate collector of antiques and collectibles. His articles focus on various topics affecting the marketplace.

For more information, call 717-442-8805 during business hours or visit www.cackleberry farmantiquemall.com.

Yellow Garage

Continued from page 1 theHarrison Township Historical Society. Attendees are encouraged to donate nonperishable unexpired food items for the local food pantry, Your Place At The Table (Y.P.A.T.T).

For additional details about the show, visit www. yellowgarageantiques.com.

19711 Newark 302-454-8007

AUNT MARGARET’S ANTIQUE MALL, 294 E. Main St. Mon- Sat. 10-5, Sun 12-5. 2 floors. Antiques, collectibles, vintage, primitives, much more! www.auntmargaretsantiquemall.com

19711 Newark 302-733-7677 MAIN STREET ANTIQUES, 23 Possum Park Mall. Hrs.: Mon.-Sat. 10-8, Sun. 11:30-5:30. Over 45 Showcase/Room Dealers selling quality antiques & collectibles. mainstreetantiques.com

21901 North East410-287-8318

5 & 10 ANTIQUE MARKET, 115 S. Main St. Daily 10am-6pm. Cecil County’s largest! Approx. 65 dealers, variety & nostalgia. Buying/ selling antiques & collectibles. Local honey available.

07052 West Orange973-323-1711

VALLEY VINTAGE, 168 South Valley Rd.

Open Mon-Sat. 11-6, Sun. 12-5. 2100 sq.ft., 25+ dealers. Antiques, vintage, collectibles, furniture, decor, kitchenware, jewelry, books, LPs, ephemera.

07901 Summit 908-273-9373 SUMMIT ANTIQUES CENTER, 511 Morris Ave. 2 floors, 50+ dealers. Antiques, collectibles. Smalls to furniture. Open 7 days 11-5. Free Parking. www.thesummitantiquescenter.com

08005 Barnegat609-698-3020

BAY AVENUE ANTIQUES, 349 S. Main. Open Wed.- Sun., Noon - 6 PM. Book Seller, Pottery, Glass, Furniture, Holiday, Decoys, Antiques & UniquesPLUS Chalkpaint & Iron Orchid Design.

08016 Burlington609-747-8333 HISTORIC BURLINGTON ANTIQUES & ART EMPORIUM, 424 High Street. Open 6 Days, Tues.-Sun.: T, W, F, Sat., Sun: 11A-5P; Th.&F.: 11A-7P; Closed on Monday. www.antiquesnj.com

08037 Hammonton609-561-1110 BERNIE’S ANTIQUES & ARTIFACTS, 18 Central Ave Tues.-Sat. 11-6 & Sun. 11-5. Trains, Pottery, Lenox, Breweriana, Fenton, Petroliana, Van Briggle, Albums + Neon Signs. Qty.Dlrs. Invited.

08062 Mullica Hill 856-478-9810 OLD MILL ANTIQUE MALL, 1 S. Main Street. Open Daily, 11-5; Sat. 10-5. Antiques, glassware, records, coins, stamps, military items, collectible toys, trains, linens, books & ephemera.

08081 Sicklerville856-545-3187 CARNIVAL OF COLLECTABLES, 368 Cross Keys Rd. Open Wed.- Sat. 10am6pm, Sun. 10am-5pm. 12,000 sq.ft Antique & Arts Mall, over 100 dlrs. www.carnivalofcollectables.com

08525 Hopewell609-466-9833 TOMATO FACTORY ANTIQUE & DESIGN CENTER, 2 Somerset St. We Have It All! Open Mon. thru Sat. 10-5, Sun. 11-5. We have 38 Dealers. www.tomatofactoryantiques.com gallery setting. Over 60 dealers. Open daily 10 to 6. Wide variety.

16686 Tyrone 814-684-5088 I-99 ANTIQUES, conveniently located off the Tyrone Exit of Interstate 99, 1222 Pennsylvania Ave. Quality antiques & collectibles. 40 Dlrs. Open Th., Fri., & Sat., 10:30am - 4:30pm, Dlrs. welcome.

17062 Millerstown717-589-7810

STITCH IN TIME ANTIQUE & GIFT MALL, 43 N. Market St. Antiques, Collectibles, Furniture, Quality Handmade Crafts & Gifts. Open 7 days 10-5, Fri. til 8. Millerstown exit off RT 322.

17307 Biglerville717-503-4264

THIELEMANN’S ANTIQUES, 1 N. Main St. Wholesale & Retail. 4,500 sq. ft. furn. & smalls. See our Thielemann’s Antqs. Facebook page for photos & info. Open Sat. 10-4 & Sun. 12-4.

17350 NewOxford717-624-3800

ZELMA’S EMPORIUM (Formerly Golden Lane) 11 N. Water Street. Antiques, Americana, Art, Asian, Primitives, etc. Closed Mon., Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5 or by appt. ZelmasAntiques.com

17361 Shrewsbury717-235-6637

SHREWSBURY ANTIQUE CENTER 65 N. Highland Dr. “A True Antique Mall” over 10,000 sq.ft. with over 55 dealers. Open 7 days, 10-5. Ample parking. Close to other shops in historic village.

18944 Perkasie215-257-3564

TREASURE TROVE, 6 S. 7th Street. Estate jewelry, furniture, linens, vintage clothing, glass, china, books, toys, kitchenware, advertising, postcards. Primitives to Deco. Dealers Welcome. Mon.-Sat. 10-5. In business 42 years.

05/29/23, LINCOLN, MON. AT 9AM, Antqs., furniture, glassware, collec., adv. signs, firearms, ammo, live low dig. DE license tags, vehicles, Harrington Raceway stock, estate jewelry, gold coins, decoys, traps, framed art, Longaberger baskets, pottery, convert. oil lamps, collec. toys, sev. blue dec. crocks, Coca-Cola elec. Jr. cooler, Vendo Model F39Bf Coke vend. mach. 1958, etc., Route 113, Red 'Gallery' Bldg., Wilson's Auction Sales, Inc.

05/19-20/23, SHIPSHEWANA, FRI. AT9AM (ONLINE BEGINS AT10AM) & SAT. AT 8:30AM, Weathervanes, pendants, lightning rod balls, adv. signs, salesman samples incl. horsedrawn equip., 6 brass steam whistles, huge dairy collec., rare butter churns, seed corn bags w/great graphics, pocket watches incl. 'The Studebaker,' country store items, spool cabinets, Bennet Model 756 gas pump, wdn. silo, farm items, etc., Live & Online: 890 S. Van Buren St.; auctionzip.com & liveauctioneers.com, Chupp Auctions & Real Estate LLC

05/17/23, OCEAN PINES, ENDS

WED. AT5PM, Pers. Property incl. collec., silver, china, glassware, artwork, jewelry, housewares, appliances, 2002 Dodge 4dr. pick-up truck & more!, Online

Only: www.AMAuctions.com; HiBid.com, A&M Auctioneers & Appraisers

05/22/23, BOONSBORO, MON.

AT9AM, Very lg. 40+ yr. collec.: antqs., primitives, guns, collec. & furn. Unus. antq. double curio cab., early wardrobes, Bombay chest, chests of drawers incl. early, early wall/ mantel clocks, wicker, Vict. furn., mannequins incl. in Vict. clothing, crocks/ jugs, early butter churns, early log cabin doll hse./ toys, decor., lanterns, baskets, guns & bayonets, etc., 7704 Mapleville Rd., Cochran Auctions

06/01/23, FALLSTON, ENDS

THURS. AT5PM, Pers. Property incl. antique & mod. furn., glassware, china, collec., housewares & more!, Online Only: www.AM auctions.com; HiBid.com, A&M Auctioneers & Appraisers

06/07/23, HEBRON, BEGINS

CLOSING WED. AT5PM, Farm Equipment. J.Deere 6400 tractor, J.Deere MX10 rotary cutter, Agco White MDL6600 planter, 6' grapple bucket & more!, Online Only: www.AMauctions.com, A&M

Auctioneers & Appraisers

05/22/23, WESTMORELAND, MON. AT5:15PM, Antqs. & collec. from sev. estates feat. New England glassware, ceramics, treen, baskets, ironstone/ stonewr. Approx. 100 lots antqs./collec., furn.: Americana to mid-cen. mod., textiles, oriental rugs/ Asian,, prim./country, pewter, lighting, toys incl. collec. Voltramp Trains, Ride-Em's, dolls, mus. instru., trade signs, fine art: ptgs., pottery, etc., Online Only: https://flying-pigauctions.liveauctioneers.com, Flying Pig Auctions

05/22/23, DUNDEE, MON. AT 4PM, C.War era & militaria items incl. Gettysburg found relics, mess kits, buttons & badges, gas masks, military whistles & more. N.Amer./ artifacts incl. bear claw necklace, trade beads, moccasins, war clubs, tools, art work, arrowheads, fossils, etc. Antqs./collec., tin type photos, brass & crystal oil lamps, cast iron skillets, pocket knives/ watches, etc., Live & Online: 17020 Dover Rd.; LiveAuctioneers, AuctionZip & BidSpirit.com, Atlee Raber Auctioneer

05/25-26/23, COLUMBUS, THURS. & FRI., Extens. collec. coins & currency, jewelry incl. Kwiat, Tiffany & Co., Charles Krypell, Yurman, vtg./ old Euro. cut & graded diamonds, sapphires, spinel, rubies + aquamar. Extens. fountain pen collec., 250+ lots Amer. furn. & dec. arts, small collec. 19th cen. firearms, art glass by Lalique, Baccarat & Verlys, Asian dec. arts, wood carvings & more!, Online Only: ameliajeffers.com; liveauctioneers & invaluable.com, Amelia Jeffers, Auctioneer

PENNSYLVANIA

05/13-20/23, ALLENTOWN, SAT. AT6:30PM - SAT. AT 10PM, 38th Annual Art Auction., Online Only: givergy.us/baumartauction38, Baum School of Art