National Lampoon Magazine — "Death" Issue, January 1973 (Bagged)

A bagged copy of the January 1973 issue of National Lampoon — the "Death" issue, featuring one of the most iconic magazine covers in American publishing history: a revolver held to a dog's head with the caption "If You Don't Buy This Magazine, We'll Kill This Dog." Features include "The Adventures of Deadman," "Playdead Magazine," "Last-Aid Kit," and "Suicide Letters to Santa." Stored in a protective bag.

The cover was conceived by the Lampoon's editorial team — likely with significant input from Michael O'Donoghue and Doug Kenney — and became an immediate cultural landmark. It has been cited in media criticism, advertising theory, and comedy history for over fifty years as a perfect example of meta-humor: a magazine threatening its own reader into purchasing it. The image has been parodied hundreds of times and remains one of the most referenced magazine covers ever produced. The January 1973 issue sits at the absolute peak of the Lampoon's creative period — the editorial team that produced it would go on to create Animal House (1978) and launch Saturday Night Live (1975). Bagged copies of this issue in good condition regularly sell in the $45–$75 range in the collector market.

One of the most collectible issues in the magazine's entire run. One available.

• Issue: January 1973 — "Death"
• Cover: "If You Don't Buy This Magazine, We'll Kill This Dog" — one of the most iconic magazine covers in American publishing
• Condition: Good — stored in protective bag
• Collector market: $45–$75 for bagged copies in good condition
• One available