I have a collectible John Steinbeck book The Long Valley, 1938 1st print. how do I find the price?

Question

Its in great condition, there were only 8K printed. In mint condition. I've already look at amazon and ebay. I want to find a collectors price. Thanks.

Answer 1

The condition of the book is the primary consideration, especialy the condition of the dust jacket. If it is pristine--the dust jacket is crisp and new and the book has no stains, it is probably a $2000 book. If the dust jacket is tattered and ratty, it may be $150.

If no dust jacket, but it's still a first printing, it is probably a $100 book if in ordinary, somewhat used condition (the glue on the endpaper tends to seep through and discolor the endpaper), but it will be hard to sell because this is a relatively common and less collected title by Steinbeck. I found one at a church sale for $5.

All of Steinbeck's fiction, however, sells for more in the bookshops of his native town Salinas, in California, so if you want to sell it, look up the used bookstores in Salinas and see what they will offer.