How to Recognize a Real Mickey Mouse Number One

Issue one of Topolino , first published in 1949, is a milestone for every collector of Italian comics. Its rarity and typographic peculiarities make it a coveted piece, but recognizing it among the numerous reprints is not easy. If you are a collector or an enthusiast eager to add this precious album to your collection, here is a detailed guide that will help you distinguish the original thanks to small printing secrets, colors and unique graphic details.

1. Format and Binding

• The original format measures 12.5x17.8 mm, but some copies have covers that are slightly larger than the internal pages due to irregular trimming.
• The issue is bound with metal staples approximately 12 mm long.

2. Front Cover: Graphic Details

• Inscriptions : “Walt Disney” above the title and “100 Pages / 60 lire” inclined at about 12°. The inscription “N. 1” has a space between the dot and the number, a detail that is often missing in reprints.
• Colors and Off-Register : Mickey Mouse has a nose with reddish hues and often a yellowish halo, an effect due to misalignment during printing. It is common to see off-register in the yellow color, which can vary between copies.
• Shoulder Pads and Mace : The shoulder pads are bright orange, while the mace knob is light blue with shades. These colors may also vary slightly from copy to copy.

3. Back Cover

• Minnie and the Flower : Minnie's nose has a reddish hue similar to Mickey's. Her dress also has irregular hues, with her blouse and bows being blue and her skirt having orange polka dots.
• Writing Detail : The writing “N.1” on the back is without space between the dot and the number.

4. Inside the Comic Book

• Layout and Printing : The issue is printed in -32°, with 100 pages divided into three sheets of 32 pages each. The interior pages are partly in color, partly in black and white, and some use red.
• Print Sharpness : The comic is generally very sharp, but some print defects may be found in original copies, due to deterioration of the equipment in the printing process.

5. Circulation and Success Story

• The circulation of the first issue, although significant, increased rapidly thanks to the unexpected success. According to the memoirs, it went from the initial 80-90,000 copies of the first issue to 185,000 already from the second, marking a historic moment for Topolino in Italy.

6. How many copies are there around today ...

There is no precise official estimate of the number of copies of the first issue of Topolino still in circulation, as it depends a lot on the conditions of conservation and the collectors' market. However, it is assumed that only a few hundred copies may have survived to this day in good condition, given that it is an album from over 70 years ago and many copies have been lost or have deteriorated over time.

For a collector, owning a copy in excellent condition is very rare, and those few copies that are still intact are very valuable, with some copies selling for thousands of euros at specialized auctions. Copies with defects, restored or in poor condition are more common but still difficult to find on the market.

This guide with distinctive graphic and typographic details will help you to confidently identify the original and appreciate its authenticity, distinguishing it from reprints.