2007 Marvel Comics The Thing #4159D

Key Points

• This product is a 2007 The Thing Marvel Comics Super Heroes Official First Day Cover, featuring two stamps and an illustration of The Thing.
• It includes two 41-cent U.S. postage stamps, one depicting The Thing and another showing a vintage Fantastic Four comic book cover, postmarked on July 26, 2007, in San Diego, CA.
• The cover commemorates Marvel Comics superheroes, specifically The Thing from the Fantastic Four, during a period of renewed interest in the team due to their cinematic adaptations.
• As a collectible, it is likely valued between $8 and $25, depending on condition and market demand.

Product Overview

The 2007 The Thing Marvel Comics Super Heroes Official First Day Cover is a collectible envelope celebrating a beloved member of Marvel’s Fantastic Four. Featuring a rugged illustration of The Thing and two 41-cent U.S. postage stamps, this cover captures the character’s enduring legacy in comic book history. It’s an ideal piece for collectors of Marvel memorabilia, superhero enthusiasts, and philatelists, blending pop culture with historical significance.

Historical Context

The Thing, also known as Ben Grimm, is a founding member of the Fantastic Four, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The team first appeared in The Fantastic Four #1 in November 1961, marking the beginning of Marvel’s modern era of superheroes. The Thing, a pilot transformed into a rock-like creature after exposure to cosmic rays, is known for his strength, loyalty, and catchphrase, “It’s clobberin’ time!” The 2007 issuance of this first day cover coincided with a resurgence of interest in the Fantastic Four, following the release of Fantastic Four (2005) and its sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). The cover’s release during the San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, 2007, underscores its connection to the comic book fan community.

Collectible Value

First day covers tied to pop culture themes, especially superheroes, are highly sought after by collectors. This The Thing cover, with its vibrant stamps and clear postmark, is likely valued between $8 and $25, based on typical market trends for similar items. Its excellent condition, with no visible damage, and its association with a popular character during a significant period of Marvel’s history, enhance its appeal to collectors.

Unexpected Detail: Fantastic Four’s Cinematic Revival

An interesting aspect of this cover is its release in 2007, the same year as Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, the second film in the early 2000s Fantastic Four franchise. The film, which introduced the Silver Surfer and Galactus, brought renewed attention to the team, including The Thing, played by Michael Chiklis. This cover captures a moment when the Fantastic Four were re-entering the pop culture spotlight, bridging their comic book origins with their cinematic adaptations.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the 2007 The Thing Marvel Comics Super Heroes First Day Cover

This section provides an in-depth examination of the 2007 The Thing Marvel Comics Super Heroes Official First Day Cover, exploring its features, historical context, and collectible value. The cover, analyzed through the provided image, is a philatelic item that celebrates a beloved superhero, making it a prized piece for collectors of both stamps and Marvel memorabilia.

Product Description and Features

The 2007 The Thing Marvel Comics Super Heroes Official First Day Cover is a collectible envelope designed to honor The Thing, a key member of Marvel’s Fantastic Four. The cover features a black-and-white illustration of The Thing in his iconic rock-like form, standing in a powerful stance that highlights his strength and resilience. The text “The Thing – Marvel Comics Super Heroes” is printed below, along with a small Marvel logo, emphasizing the character’s origin.

Affixed to the cover are two 41-cent U.S. postage stamps, part of the 2007 Marvel Comics Super Heroes series (Scott #4159-4168). The first stamp depicts The Thing in a modern, colorful illustration, showcasing his orange, rocky exterior and blue shorts, a design synonymous with the character. The second stamp features a vintage Fantastic Four comic book cover, likely referencing The Fantastic Four #1 from 1961, where the team first appeared, with The Thing prominently featured alongside his teammates. Both stamps are postmarked with a circular cancellation reading “San Diego, CA Jul 26 2007,” alongside the text “First Day of Issue,” confirming the cover’s philatelic status.

The envelope is addressed to “Mr. James A. Walker, Jr., Six Clover Circle, Rogers, Arkansas 72756,” indicating it was part of a personal collection. The cover’s condition appears excellent, with no visible tears, stains, or creases, preserving its visual and collectible value.

Historical Significance and Context

The Thing, also known as Ben Grimm, debuted in November 1961 in The Fantastic Four #1, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for Marvel Comics. The Fantastic Four—consisting of Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), Invisible Woman (Sue Storm), Human Torch (Johnny Storm), and The Thing—were Marvel’s first superhero team, ushering in a new era of comics with more humanized, relatable characters. Ben Grimm, a test pilot, is transformed into The Thing after being exposed to cosmic rays during a space mission, gaining superhuman strength but also a monstrous appearance that he struggles to accept. His character often explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and loyalty, making him a fan favorite.

The 2007 issuance of this first day cover came during a period of renewed interest in the Fantastic Four. The team had been adapted into a live-action film, Fantastic Four (2005), followed by Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer in June 2007, just a month before this cover’s release. These films, while receiving mixed reviews, brought the characters back into the public eye, with Michael Chiklis portraying The Thing in a practical suit that captured the character’s rugged look. The postmark date and location—July 26, 2007, in San Diego—coincide with the San Diego Comic-Con, a major event for comic book fans, where the U.S. Postal Service often holds first day of issue ceremonies to engage with the fan community.

Collectible Value and Market Analysis

First day covers featuring pop culture themes, particularly superheroes, are popular among collectors due to their crossover appeal. The 2007 Marvel Comics Super Heroes series, which included ten stamps featuring characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and The Thing, was well-received by both philatelists and comic fans. This specific The Thing cover, with its two stamps and clear postmark, is likely valued between $8 and $25, based on market trends for similar items. For example, first day covers from this series often sell on platforms like eBay or through stamp dealers in this price range, with variations depending on condition, rarity, and whether the cover is part of a complete set.

The cover’s value is enhanced by its excellent condition and its connection to a culturally significant character during a period of renewed interest. Collectors of Marvel memorabilia, especially those focused on the Fantastic Four or early Marvel history, may find this item particularly appealing, potentially increasing its value in specialized markets.

Detailed Stamp Analysis

The two 41-cent stamps on the cover are part of the 2007 Marvel Comics Super Heroes series (Scott #4159-4168), issued to celebrate Marvel’s iconic characters. The series included ten stamps, each featuring a different superhero alongside a vintage comic book cover. For this cover:

• The first stamp (likely Scott #4165) depicts The Thing in a modern illustration, showcasing his orange, rocky exterior and blue shorts, capturing his distinctive look with vibrant colors that highlight his unique texture.
• The second stamp (likely Scott #4165a) shows a vintage Fantastic Four comic book cover, probably The Fantastic Four #1 from 1961, where The Thing is featured alongside his teammates. This cover introduced the team to the world, marking a pivotal moment in Marvel’s history.

The 41-cent denomination aligns with the first-class postage rate in 2007, following a rate increase earlier that year. The stamps’ placement on the cover, along with the clear San Diego postmark, enhances the item’s philatelic appeal.

Comparative Analysis with Other Collectibles

Compared to other Marvel-related collectibles, such as action figures or comic books from the same period, this first day cover offers a unique blend of philatelic and pop culture value. While a 2007 The Thing action figure might appeal to toy collectors, the cover’s postmark and stamps tie it to a specific historical moment, making it a more specialized item. Compared to other first day covers from the same series, such as the 2007 Iron Man cover (valued at $8–$25), this The Thing cover holds similar value but may have added appeal for fans of the Fantastic Four, Marvel’s foundational team.

Unexpected Historical Detail: The Fantastic Four’s Role in Marvel’s Legacy

A notable detail is the Fantastic Four’s foundational role in Marvel’s history, which this cover indirectly celebrates. The Fantastic Four #1 in 1961 is often credited with launching the “Marvel Age” of comics, introducing a new style of storytelling that emphasized character flaws and interpersonal dynamics. The Thing, with his struggle to accept his transformed appearance, became a symbol of this humanized approach to superheroes, influencing the creation of other Marvel characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men. This cover, issued in 2007, captures that legacy at a time when the Fantastic Four were being reintroduced to new audiences through film.

Table: Summary of Key Features

Conclusion

The 2007 The Thing Marvel Comics Super Heroes Official First Day Cover is a striking and historically significant collectible that captures the legacy of one of Marvel’s most enduring characters. Its combination of vibrant stamps, a clear Comic-Con postmark, and a connection to the Fantastic Four’s cinematic and comic book history makes it a standout piece for collectors of superhero memorabilia and philately. Whether you’re a Marvel fan or a stamp enthusiast, this cover offers a unique blend of pop culture and historical value, reflecting The Thing’s role as a cornerstone of Marvel’s legacy.