When did the UPC codes start? For older comics (1960s-1970s) is there only 1 version? 1 1

[kmfbaloo]

Hi All-

I have seen older comics that do not have a UPC code on them. I know now the newsstand is UPC code vs a spiderman face to indicate the differences. But with older comics, if htere is no UPC code on them- is there other ways to differentiate versions?

[Get Marwood & I]

Have a read of this thread, km.....

 

[kmfbaloo]

On 8/20/2023 at 12:27 PM, Get Marwood & I said:

Have a read of this thread, km.....

 

Will do, thanks!

[kmfbaloo]

On 8/20/2023 at 12:27 PM, Get Marwood & I said:

Have a read of this thread, km.....

 

I read that thread. My real question is:

With older comics, if there is no UPC code on them- is there other ways to differentiate versions? Is there only 1 version of those? Meaning there is no "newsstand" or "direct" versions?

[Get Marwood & I]

On 8/20/2023 at 8:36 PM, kmfbaloo said:

I read that thread. My real question is:

With older comics, if there is no UPC code on them- is there other ways to differentiate versions? Is there only 1 version of those? Meaning there is no "newsstand" or "direct" versions?

I'm sure @valiantman will share a video with you that explains it all when he next logs on. 

[Get Marwood & I]

You're in luck. I found it:

 

[kmfbaloo]

On 8/20/2023 at 12:44 PM, Get Marwood & I said:

I'm sure @valiantman will share a video with you that explains it all when he next logs on. 

Would be great

[kmfbaloo]

On 8/20/2023 at 12:47 PM, Get Marwood & I said:

You're in luck. I found it:

 

Thanks so much. I appreciate it!

[valiantman]

On 8/20/2023 at 2:24 PM, kmfbaloo said:

Hi All-

I have seen older comics that do not have a UPC code on them. I know now the newsstand is UPC code vs a spiderman face to indicate the differences. But with older comics, if htere is no UPC code on them- is there other ways to differentiate versions?

@Get Marwood & I already posted a video about it, but what age of comics are we talking about?

Before 1976, I believe only a Whitman logo could identify a direct edition (non-returnable) comic book. All other comics would have been newsstand, with or without a barcode. The is no need to identify "newsstand" on books that only had one method of distribution (only one edition/version).

Edited August 20, 2023 by valiantman

[Lazyboy]

On 8/20/2023 at 2:36 PM, kmfbaloo said:

I read that thread. My real question is:

With older comics, if there is no UPC code on them- is there other ways to differentiate versions? Is there only 1 version of those? Meaning there is no "newsstand" or "direct" versions?

The direct market began in the early 1970s, but comics still had only one version until the mid-late 1970s. The defacement of comics by barcodes began in the mid-70s.

[kmfbaloo]

On 8/20/2023 at 2:59 PM, valiantman said:

@Get Marwood & I already posted a video about it, but what age of comics are we talking about?

Before 1976, I believe only a Whitman logo could identify a direct edition (non-returnable) comic book. All other comics would have been newsstand, with or without a barcode. The is no need to identify "newsstand" on books that only had one method of distribution (only one edition/version).

Thanks for the reply!

[kmfbaloo]

On 8/20/2023 at 3:24 PM, Lazyboy said:

The direct market began in the early 1970s, but comics still had only one version until the mid-late 1970s. The defacement of comics by barcodes began in the mid-70s.

Thanks for the reply!

[MAR1979]

On 8/20/2023 at 4:33 PM, kmfbaloo said:

Thanks so much. I appreciate it!

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/history-bar-code-180956704/
https://eh.net/encyclopedia/a-history-of-the-bar-code/

https://blog.comicspriceguide.com/comic-book-upc-code-history-and-price-implications/
https://www.cbr.com/comic-book-covers-upc-meaning/

Edited August 20, 2023 by MAR1979

[kmfbaloo]

On 8/20/2023 at 3:57 PM, MAR1979 said:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/history-bar-code-180956704/

https://eh.net/encyclopedia/a-history-of-the-bar-code/

https://blog.comicspriceguide.com/comic-book-upc-code-history-and-price-implications/

Wow, thanks for the references!

[MAR1979]

On 8/20/2023 at 6:58 PM, kmfbaloo said:

Wow, thanks for the references!

You'll soon be an expert and can pay it forward.

Edited August 20, 2023 by MAR1979

[kmfbaloo]

On 8/20/2023 at 4:01 PM, MAR1979 said:

You'll soon be an expert and can pay it forward.

[shadroch]

On 8/20/2023 at 3:24 PM, Lazyboy said:

The direct market began in the early 1970s, but comics still had only one version until the mid-late 1970s. The defacement of comics by barcodes began in the mid-70s.

There were pence copies, and some Marvel Annuals have blank pages because of the lack of advertising in Canadian versions, but the vast majority of books had only one version prior to the direct market.

[kmfbaloo]

On 8/20/2023 at 4:47 PM, shadroch said:

There were pence copies, and some Marvel Annuals have blank pages because of the lack of advertising in Canadian versions, but the vast majority of books had only one version prior to the direct market.

Thanks for your reply!