Issue 176 from FEB 1968 has 3 stories-2 Flash stories (one concerns a missing Dr. West, Iris' father)

• It was written by John Broome, A 3rd sci-fi story (from 1951 Mystery in Space) with art by Carmine Infantino.

Issue 179 from May 1968  a unique "1st"--"EARTH PRIME"

a common multi-verse thread throughout years of FLASH & JLA silver age issues.

DC ALTERNATE UNIVERSES:

 Writer Cary Bates  (like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby on occasion in early fantastic Four story-lines)  liked to "inject himself" into a story--and the concept of "Earth prime" was a cool way to do it!  Here, writer Cary Bates informally initiates the concept of "Earth-Prime", a universe in which comic characters really exist, and can interact with their readers. This Universe was brought back later and expounded upon; in a later issue (Flash 228 in 1974) DC writer Cary Bates actually meets the Flash! The Universe is ultimately destroyed in "CRISIS..."  It's roots, however, were always in FLASH comics.

The concept of "Earth Prime" was touched on in SHOWCASE # 4 (1956) when we 1st meet Barry Allen. He is seen reading a Comic book showing the Golden Age Flash. Then in Flash 123, when the 2 Flash's meet (Jay Garrick-the Golden Age Flash meets Barry Allen of the Silver age) we learn of the "Earth-2" concept, that there are multi-universes that can co-exist and only certain people (the Flash among the noteworthy) can cross over to the different, but parallel universes.

This concept was used in JLA stories (involving the Earth-2 JSA meeting the Earth-1 JLA in various adventures), and led to the "Crisis" storylines--those of the 1960's and then the momentous "Crisis on Infinite Earths" mini-series of 1985.

• Issue 179 appears in well-preserved mid-grade and we grade it overall a FN 6.0. 
• FLASH 179 (the more Key issue) is graded as 6.0 FN, it would have a guide price around $21 
• The cover colors are still rich, the corners have slight wear; the spine is pretty and has only slight visible stress lines against a stark green cover.
• The top left & bottom right corners are somewhat soft, the top right has a edge fleck in the ink. There is a pen arrival date.
• Overall, the cover lays flat, has smooth surfaces and 3 square corners. The interior pages are off-white to White. The centerfold and staples are firmly attached.
• The Back cover is more light tan to cream with slight foxing, known common in comics due to paper quality decline of 1967-68. It does not disturb the "solid" nature of the book.