Title:
Death of a Salesman
Genre:
Drama
Literature
Plays
Theater
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Edition:
1st
Printing:
1st
Type of Book:
Fiction
Number of Chapters:
1
Date Added:
2018-06-26 15:38:00
Synopsis:
Ever since it was first performed in 1949, Death of a Salesman has been recognized as a milestone of the American theater. In the person of Willy Loman, the aging, failing salesman who makes his living riding on a smile and a shoeshine, Arthur Miller redefined the tragic hero as a man whose dreams are at once insupportably vast and dangerously insubstantial. He has given us a figure whose name has become a symbol for a kind of majestic grandiosity—and a play that compresses epic extremems of humor and anguish, promise and loss, between the four walls of an American living room.
Based on the images you provided, here is an overview of the book:
Book Overview
The book is Death of a Salesman, a play written by Arthur Miller. The cover features a stark, dramatic illustration of a man with two suitcases walking away from the viewer, a visual representation of the main character, Willy Loman. The title page indicates it was published by The Viking Press in 1949.
Historical Importance
Death of a Salesman is considered one of the most important and significant works of American literature and drama. Its historical importance stems from several key factors:
* Critique of the American Dream: The play offers a powerful and enduring critique of the ”American Dream,” questioning its promises of success and happiness. It explores the devastating consequences of placing one’s self-worth solely on material wealth and external validation.
* Post-War American Society: Published in the aftermath of World War II, the play resonated deeply with a society grappling with rapid economic and social changes, and the struggles of the working class.
* Dramatic Innovation: Miller’s use of a unique narrative structure, blending reality with flashbacks and internal monologues, was highly influential in modern theater.
* Enduring Relevance: The themes of family conflict, mental health, and the search for identity remain highly relevant today, making the play a staple of high school and university curricula and a frequent subject of revivals.
Is it a First Edition?
Yes, this appears to be a first edition. The key indicators from the images are:
* Publisher and Year: The title page clearly states ”The Viking Press” and ”1949.” This matches the publisher and year of the first edition.
* Copyright Page: The copyright page shows ”COPYRIGHT 1949 BY ARTHUR MILLER” and ”PUBLISHED BY THE VIKING PRESS, INC. IN MARCH 1949.” This confirms it was published in the initial month of its release.
Value
The value of a first edition of Death of a Salesman can vary significantly based on its condition. Key factors that determine value are:
* Condition of the Book Itself:
* The Dust Jacket: The dust jacket is critically important for this edition. Your first image shows a dust jacket, but it appears to be worn, particularly along the edges and corners. A fine, unrestored dust jacket significantly increases the value.
* The Book: The pages and binding should be free from significant damage, markings, or foxing (age-related spots).
* Edition and Printing: A true first edition, first printing, is the most valuable. The March 1949 publishing date on the copyright page indicates it is a first printing.
* Current Market Value:
* A first edition with a very good or better dust jacket can be worth $1,000 to over $3,000 or more, depending on the specific condition.
* Without the dust jacket, the value is considerably less, typically ranging from $100 to $300, as most of the value is in the jacket itself.
* The wear and tear visible on the dust jacket in your image would place its value lower in the range for a jacketed copy.
To get a precise valuation, it is recommended to have the book appraised by a professional bookseller or to compare it to similar copies sold on reputable rare book sites.
Based on the images you provided, here is an overview of the book:
Book Overview
The book is Death of a Salesman, a play written by Arthur Miller. The cover features a stark, dramatic illustration of a man with two suitcases walking away from the viewer, a visual representation of the main character, Willy Loman. The title page indicates it was published by The Viking Press in 1949.
Historical Importance
Death of a Salesman is considered one of the most important and significant works of American literature and drama. Its historical importance stems from several key factors:
* Critique of the American Dream: The play offers a powerful and enduring critique of the ”American Dream,” questioning its promises of success and happiness. It explores the devastating consequences of placing one’s self-worth solely on material wealth and external validation.
* Post-War American Society: Published in the aftermath of World War II, the play resonated deeply with a society grappling with rapid economic and social changes, and the struggles of the working class.
* Dramatic Innovation: Miller’s use of a unique narrative structure, blending reality with flashbacks and internal monologues, was highly influential in modern theater.
* Enduring Relevance: The themes of family conflict, mental health, and the search for identity remain highly relevant today, making the play a staple of high school and university curricula and a frequent subject of revivals.
Is it a First Edition?
Yes, this appears to be a first edition. The key indicators from the images are:
* Publisher and Year: The title page clearly states ”The Viking Press” and ”1949.” This matches the publisher and year of the first edition.
* Copyright Page: The copyright page shows ”COPYRIGHT 1949 BY ARTHUR MILLER” and ”PUBLISHED BY THE VIKING PRESS, INC. IN MARCH 1949.” This confirms it was published in the initial month of its release.
Value
The value of a first edition of Death of a Salesman can vary significantly based on its condition. Key factors that determine value are:
* Condition of the Book Itself:
* The Dust Jacket: The dust jacket is critically important for this edition. Your first image shows a dust jacket, but it appears to be worn, particularly along the edges and corners. A fine, unrestored dust jacket significantly increases the value.
* The Book: The pages and binding should be free from significant damage, markings, or foxing (age-related spots).
* Edition and Printing: A true first edition, first printing, is the most valuable. The March 1949 publishing date on the copyright page indicates it is a first printing.
* Current Market Value:
* A first edition with a very good or better dust jacket can be worth $1,000 to over $3,000 or more, depending on the specific condition.
* Without the dust jacket, the value is considerably less, typically ranging from $100 to $300, as most of the value is in the jacket itself.
* The wear and tear visible on the dust jacket in your image would place its value lower in the range for a jacketed copy.
To get a precise valuation, it is recommended to have the book appraised by a professional bookseller or to compare it to similar copies sold on reputable rare book sites.
Author:
Miller, Arthur
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Publisher:
The Viking Press
Country:
United States
Publication Year:
1949
Copyright Year:
1949
Number of Copies:
1
Has Dustcover:
Yes
Automatic Estimated Value:
~$9.38
Automatic Estimated Date:
2026-03-01
Signed By:
Arthur Miller
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Date Added:
2018-06-26 15:38:00
