National Lampoon Magazine — May 1979 (International Communism and Terrorism Issue)

The May 1979 "International Communism and Terrorism Issue" of National Lampoon delivers one of the magazine's most quietly brilliant covers: a confident barber stands over Uncle Sam seated in the chair, electric clippers in hand, reflected in the mirror behind him. The caption at the bottom reads: "Giving Uncle a Real Clipping."

It's a perfect piece of Cold War satire — the threat of communism rendered as a mundane barbershop visit, Uncle Sam helpless in the chair, draped in a smock, unable to do anything but watch. By May 1979, the Iranian hostage crisis was months away, the Soviet Union was still a going concern, and American confidence was at a low ebb. The Lampoon found the joke in all of it.

Original subscriber copy with mailing label intact. Solid condition with light wear. A sharp and underrated issue from the magazine's later run. Sold as-is.

• National Lampoon, May 1979
• "The Humor Magazine" — $1.50 cover price
• Original subscriber copy with mailing label
• Vintage collectible magazine, sold as-is