How Many Reprints of Mickey Mouse Issue 1 Are There?

The first issue of Topolino has a special place in the heart of every collector. But did you know that there are several reprints of this legendary comic? Some are relatively common, others almost impossible to find. Here is a guide to the most famous and unobtainable reprints of the legendary Number 1!

Among the various commemorative and facsimile editions, each reprint carries with it a particular history and, in some cases, also a considerable market value. Below is a list of the main reprints, from the oldest to the most recent:

1. 1994 – Reprinted in conjunction with Topolino issue 2000, to celebrate this important milestone.
2. 1994 – Another reprint produced directly by Walt Disney, made special by its printing quality and faithfulness to the original.
3. 1999 - on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the magazine. The same “ Top 1949 ”
4. 2005 – Reprint of the Corriere della Sera in the collection “ Grandi Opere ”, an edition that brought Topolino Issue 1 to a wider audience.
5. 2010 – La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera reprint issue 1 in the series “ The Golden Years of Mickey Mouse ”.
6. 2010 - “Mignon” version of the first 8 issues, in a box set, based on the Disney-Epierre version.
7. 2015 – Panini creates a reprint that is now considered one of the most difficult to find, intended for the most seasoned collectors.
8. 2020 – Another reprint from Panini Comics , given away exclusively to Topolino subscribers, adding a touch of exclusivity to this release.
9. 2022 – Topolino issue 3567 features a reproduction of the original cover with improved graphics, along with a magnet featuring Number 1, a highly sought-after gadget.

The “Nerbini” Reprints and the Legend of Alfonso Pichierri: In the 1980s, Alfonso Pichierri, a Florentine publisher, began an initiative to unauthorized reprints of the first issues ofTopolino Libretto , known as the “Nerbini reprints.” Between 1983 and 1985, Pichierri clandestinely published the first four issues of the comic and later extended the series up to issue 80. These reprints, sold at high prices, feature particular graphic variations, and each batch of reprints is known to differ slightly from the others. Even today, the “Nerbini” versions circulate among collectors and enthusiasts.

Some Curiosities and Secrets of the World of Collecting: Despite its charm, Disney has never officially authorized these “Nerbini” reprints, but the publishing house turned a blind eye, making these editions almost mythical in the world of collectors. The clandestine printing of the first four issues has become a real “open secret” in the comics world, so much so that even today these reprints have a prominent place in the most sought-after collections.

Artisan and Rare Editions

A few amateur reprints of issue #1 have surfaced on the market, including a "homemade" version with the Elah logo on the back cover, which aroused curiosity in 2010, and a 1970s amateur version, the authenticity of which is uncertain.

Collecting these editions is not only a challenge, but a real journey through the publishing history of Mickey Mouse . Each reprint has a unique soul and offers a nostalgic dive into the past, from the historic first edition to the rarest versions of today. Which of these editions is still missing from your collection?