The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an iconic novel that has cemented its place in American literature. Its first edition book, with its original cover and pages, is a highly coveted item by collectors and book enthusiasts alike. Here’s a closer look at the history and value of the first edition book of The Great Gatsby.
History
The first edition of The Great Gatsby was published by Charles Scribner’s Sons in April 1925. It had an initial print run of 20,870 copies, with a selling price of $2.00 per book. The first printing sold out within a month, and a second printing of 3,000 copies was released in May of the same year.
The cover of the first edition featured a blue and white design with a gold Art Deco-inspired image of a dock and a yellow boat in the center. The dust jacket also had a blurb from T. S. Eliot, describing the novel as “the first step that American fiction has taken since Henry James.” The inside cover had a dedication from Fitzgerald to his wife, Zelda, which was later removed in subsequent editions.
Value
The first edition of The Great Gatsby is highly valued by collectors and book dealers. A copy in good condition with its original dust jacket can fetch anywhere from $10,000 to $150,000. The highest recorded sale for a first edition was in 2013, when a copy sold at an auction for $180,000.
The value of the first edition book is determined by several factors such as its condition, rarity, and demand. The more intact and well-preserved the book is, the higher its value. A first printing in mint condition with an intact dust jacket is the most desirable to collectors.
Features to Look For
If you’re on the hunt for a first edition of The Great Gatsby, there are a few things to look out for to ensure its authenticity.
The copyright page of the first edition should have the words “Published April, 1925” and a Scribner’s “A” emblem. The lack of these details can indicate a later printing. The cover of the first edition also has a number of discrepancies from later editions, such as the misspelling of “sick in tired” on page 205, and missing periods on page 148 and 165, which are often used as key identifiers.
Importance to Literature
Aside from its historical and financial value, the first edition of The Great Gatsby holds a special significance in American literature. The novel is considered a masterpiece of 20th-century literature, and the first edition represents the original version of the story, before it went through various revisions and edits for subsequent printings.
The Great Gatsby has also been adapted into multiple films, making the first edition book a sought-after item for fans and collectors interested in its cinematic and cultural impact.
In conclusion, the first edition of The Great Gatsby is a rare and valuable piece of literary history. Its original cover design, dedication, and printing errors make it a unique and highly sought-after item for book lovers and collectors. Its significance in American literature and pop culture only adds to its value, making it a prized possession for those lucky enough to own one.