Title:
A Death In The Family
Genre:
Autobiography
Fiction
Other
Popular Culture
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Series:
Batman
Binding:
Hardcover
Type of Book:
Fiction
Date Added:
2018-06-26 18:39:22
Synopsis:
Determining the value of a book like A Death in the Family by James Agee depends on several factors, including its edition, condition, rarity, and demand among collectors. Based on the information visible in the images you provided, this appears to be a first edition published in 1957 by McDowell, Obolensky Inc., as indicated by the copyright page. Here are some considerations:
1 First Edition Status: The presence of the original 1957 copyright and the specific publisher (McDowell, Obolensky Inc.) suggests this could be a first edition. First editions of well-regarded literary works, especially those that have won awards (this book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1958), tend to be more valuable.
2 Condition: The value is heavily influenced by the book’s physical condition. Factors include whether it has its original dust jacket (and its condition), the presence of any tears, stains, or markings, and whether it is signed by the author. From the image, the pages look intact, but I cannot assess the dust jacket or overall wear.
3 Rarity and Demand: A Death in the Family is a classic novel, and first editions are sought after by collectors, particularly those interested in mid-20th-century American literature. However, its value can vary based on how many copies were printed and how many survive in good condition.
4 Market Trends: As of my last update, first editions of this book in good condition with the dust jacket can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the specific state of the copy. Signed copies or those in exceptional condition can fetch higher prices, sometimes exceeding $1,000 at auction.
Since I cannot perform a real-time web search or examine the book in detail, I recommend the following:
• Check for the dust jacket and its condition.
• Look for any signatures or inscriptions.
• Consult a rare book dealer or use an online platform like AbeBooks, Biblio, or a local auction house for a current appraisal.
If you’d like a more precise valuation, I can search the web for recent sales data or analyze additional details if you provide them (e.g., photos of the dust jacket or other pages). Would you like me to proceed with a search?
Determining whether your copy of A Death in the Family by James Agee is a first printing requires a closer look at specific details, as the copyright page alone (showing 1957 and McDowell, Obolensky Inc.) indicates it is a first edition but not necessarily a first printing. Here’s how to identify a first printing and what I can infer from the provided image:
Key Indicators of a First Printing
1 Copyright Page Details: For McDowell, Obolensky’s first printing of A Death in the Family in 1957, the absence of later printing statements (e.g., “Second Printing” or a number line) typically confirms it as a first printing. The page you shared lists the 1957 copyright by The New Yorker Magazine, Inc. and The James Agee Trust, with no mention of subsequent printings, which is a good sign.
2 Dust Jacket: First printings often come with a specific dust jacket design, including the original price ($3.75) and no later edition indicators. The jacket should also match the first edition’s artwork and text layout.
3 Physical Evidence: Check for the Library of Congress Catalog Card Number (57-12114) and the “Manufactured in the United States of America by The Haddon Craftsmen, Scranton, Pennsylvania” statement, which align with the first edition. However, these alone don’t confirm the printing unless combined with the absence of later print indicators.
4 Binding and Typography: First printings may have slight variations in binding or typographical errors corrected in later printings. For A Death in the Family, collectors often look for the original blue cloth binding with silver lettering, but this can be hard to assess from a photo.
Analysis of Your Copy
• The copyright page you provided matches the first edition details, and there’s no indication of a later printing (e.g., “Second Printing” or a number line like “2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0”). This strongly suggests it could be a first printing.
• However, without seeing the dust jacket or the full physical book (e.g., binding, title page, or any printing codes), I cannot definitively confirm it.
Next Steps
• Check the Dust Jacket: Look for the original $3.75 price on the flap and ensure it matches the first edition design (e.g., the blue cover with a sun and mountain illustration, as shown in the second image).
• Examine the Title Page and Binding: Confirm the binding matches the first edition description (blue cloth, silver lettering) and that the title page aligns with the 1957 publication.
• Consult an Expert: If you’re unsure, a rare book dealer or appraiser can examine these details in person.
Based on the current evidence, it’s likely a first printing if it lacks any later printing statements and has the original dust jacket. For a definitive answer, I could search recent sales data or auction records if you’d like me to proceed with a web search. Would you like me to do that, or do you have more details (e.g., photos of the dust jacket or binding) to share?
You’ve got a compelling piece in your hands—A Death in the Family by James Agee, a Pulitzer Prize–winning novel with deep literary and historical resonance. Let’s break it down step by step:
---
📘 Overview of the Book
• Author: James Agee (1909–1955), a journalist, poet, and novelist known for his lyrical prose and emotional depth.
• Title: A Death in the Family
• Published: Posthumously in 1957 by McDowell, Obolensky.
• Genre: Semi-autobiographical literary fiction.
• Plot: Set in Knoxville, Tennessee, the novel explores the emotional aftermath of a father’s sudden death through the eyes of a young boy and his family. It’s a meditation on grief, memory, and familial bonds.
• Accolades: Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1958. Considered a landmark in American literature for its introspective style and poetic structure.
---
🏛️ Historical Importance
• Literary Legacy: The novel is a cornerstone of mid-20th-century American fiction. Agee’s evocative style influenced generations of writers.
• Cultural Impact: It captures the Southern experience with rare emotional precision, often studied in literature and American studies programs.
• Posthumous Editing: The original manuscript was edited by David McDowell after Agee’s death, sparking scholarly debate about authorial intent. A restored edition was published in 2007.
---
📑 Edition Status
Based on the copyright page you shared:
• Publisher: McDowell, Obolensky, Inc.
• Copyright Dates: 1938, 1956, 1957.
• Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 57-12114.
• No Later Printings Mentioned: This suggests it may be a first printing.
• Designer: Alfred Manso.
• Manufactured by: Haddon Craftsmen, Scranton, Pennsylvania.
🕵️♂️ Verdict: This appears to be a true first edition, likely first printing, especially given the absence of reprint indicators and the 1957 publication date. However, confirmation would require checking for specific first edition points—such as the dust jacket price ($3.95) and absence of later printings on the copyright page.
---
💰 Market Value
Valuation depends on several factors:
Condition Estimated Value
Fine w/ dust jacket $300–$600 USD
Very Good (minor wear) $150–$300 USD
Good (no jacket) $75–$150 USD
Signed copy $1,000+ USD (rare)
🔍 Factors That Boost Value:
• Original dust jacket in excellent condition
• Provenance (e.g., association copy)
• Signed by Agee (extremely rare due to his early death)
• Clean interior with no markings or foxing
---
Would you like help drafting a catalog entry or appraisal note for your archive? I can also assist in comparing auction records or identifying edition points.
1 First Edition Status: The presence of the original 1957 copyright and the specific publisher (McDowell, Obolensky Inc.) suggests this could be a first edition. First editions of well-regarded literary works, especially those that have won awards (this book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1958), tend to be more valuable.
2 Condition: The value is heavily influenced by the book’s physical condition. Factors include whether it has its original dust jacket (and its condition), the presence of any tears, stains, or markings, and whether it is signed by the author. From the image, the pages look intact, but I cannot assess the dust jacket or overall wear.
3 Rarity and Demand: A Death in the Family is a classic novel, and first editions are sought after by collectors, particularly those interested in mid-20th-century American literature. However, its value can vary based on how many copies were printed and how many survive in good condition.
4 Market Trends: As of my last update, first editions of this book in good condition with the dust jacket can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the specific state of the copy. Signed copies or those in exceptional condition can fetch higher prices, sometimes exceeding $1,000 at auction.
Since I cannot perform a real-time web search or examine the book in detail, I recommend the following:
• Check for the dust jacket and its condition.
• Look for any signatures or inscriptions.
• Consult a rare book dealer or use an online platform like AbeBooks, Biblio, or a local auction house for a current appraisal.
If you’d like a more precise valuation, I can search the web for recent sales data or analyze additional details if you provide them (e.g., photos of the dust jacket or other pages). Would you like me to proceed with a search?
Determining whether your copy of A Death in the Family by James Agee is a first printing requires a closer look at specific details, as the copyright page alone (showing 1957 and McDowell, Obolensky Inc.) indicates it is a first edition but not necessarily a first printing. Here’s how to identify a first printing and what I can infer from the provided image:
Key Indicators of a First Printing
1 Copyright Page Details: For McDowell, Obolensky’s first printing of A Death in the Family in 1957, the absence of later printing statements (e.g., “Second Printing” or a number line) typically confirms it as a first printing. The page you shared lists the 1957 copyright by The New Yorker Magazine, Inc. and The James Agee Trust, with no mention of subsequent printings, which is a good sign.
2 Dust Jacket: First printings often come with a specific dust jacket design, including the original price ($3.75) and no later edition indicators. The jacket should also match the first edition’s artwork and text layout.
3 Physical Evidence: Check for the Library of Congress Catalog Card Number (57-12114) and the “Manufactured in the United States of America by The Haddon Craftsmen, Scranton, Pennsylvania” statement, which align with the first edition. However, these alone don’t confirm the printing unless combined with the absence of later print indicators.
4 Binding and Typography: First printings may have slight variations in binding or typographical errors corrected in later printings. For A Death in the Family, collectors often look for the original blue cloth binding with silver lettering, but this can be hard to assess from a photo.
Analysis of Your Copy
• The copyright page you provided matches the first edition details, and there’s no indication of a later printing (e.g., “Second Printing” or a number line like “2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0”). This strongly suggests it could be a first printing.
• However, without seeing the dust jacket or the full physical book (e.g., binding, title page, or any printing codes), I cannot definitively confirm it.
Next Steps
• Check the Dust Jacket: Look for the original $3.75 price on the flap and ensure it matches the first edition design (e.g., the blue cover with a sun and mountain illustration, as shown in the second image).
• Examine the Title Page and Binding: Confirm the binding matches the first edition description (blue cloth, silver lettering) and that the title page aligns with the 1957 publication.
• Consult an Expert: If you’re unsure, a rare book dealer or appraiser can examine these details in person.
Based on the current evidence, it’s likely a first printing if it lacks any later printing statements and has the original dust jacket. For a definitive answer, I could search recent sales data or auction records if you’d like me to proceed with a web search. Would you like me to do that, or do you have more details (e.g., photos of the dust jacket or binding) to share?
You’ve got a compelling piece in your hands—A Death in the Family by James Agee, a Pulitzer Prize–winning novel with deep literary and historical resonance. Let’s break it down step by step:
---
📘 Overview of the Book
• Author: James Agee (1909–1955), a journalist, poet, and novelist known for his lyrical prose and emotional depth.
• Title: A Death in the Family
• Published: Posthumously in 1957 by McDowell, Obolensky.
• Genre: Semi-autobiographical literary fiction.
• Plot: Set in Knoxville, Tennessee, the novel explores the emotional aftermath of a father’s sudden death through the eyes of a young boy and his family. It’s a meditation on grief, memory, and familial bonds.
• Accolades: Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1958. Considered a landmark in American literature for its introspective style and poetic structure.
---
🏛️ Historical Importance
• Literary Legacy: The novel is a cornerstone of mid-20th-century American fiction. Agee’s evocative style influenced generations of writers.
• Cultural Impact: It captures the Southern experience with rare emotional precision, often studied in literature and American studies programs.
• Posthumous Editing: The original manuscript was edited by David McDowell after Agee’s death, sparking scholarly debate about authorial intent. A restored edition was published in 2007.
---
📑 Edition Status
Based on the copyright page you shared:
• Publisher: McDowell, Obolensky, Inc.
• Copyright Dates: 1938, 1956, 1957.
• Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 57-12114.
• No Later Printings Mentioned: This suggests it may be a first printing.
• Designer: Alfred Manso.
• Manufactured by: Haddon Craftsmen, Scranton, Pennsylvania.
🕵️♂️ Verdict: This appears to be a true first edition, likely first printing, especially given the absence of reprint indicators and the 1957 publication date. However, confirmation would require checking for specific first edition points—such as the dust jacket price ($3.95) and absence of later printings on the copyright page.
---
💰 Market Value
Valuation depends on several factors:
Condition Estimated Value
Fine w/ dust jacket $300–$600 USD
Very Good (minor wear) $150–$300 USD
Good (no jacket) $75–$150 USD
Signed copy $1,000+ USD (rare)
🔍 Factors That Boost Value:
• Original dust jacket in excellent condition
• Provenance (e.g., association copy)
• Signed by Agee (extremely rare due to his early death)
• Clean interior with no markings or foxing
---
Would you like help drafting a catalog entry or appraisal note for your archive? I can also assist in comparing auction records or identifying edition points.
Author:
James Agee
Marlene Bateman
Show More
Publisher:
Publication Year:
1985
OCLC:
810
Number of Copies:
1
Automatic Estimated Value:
~$29.95
Automatic Estimated Date:
2024-11-04
Date Added:
2018-06-26 18:39:22
