2006-07-25 18:28:33 · 6 answers · asked by janine c 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
no specific year i was just wondering in general
2006-07-25 18:33:41 · update #1
If it's a first edition and the signature can be verified as authentic, you have a very valuable book on your hands. Put it in a bank vault and get a bookseller who specializes in 20th century fiction to give you an appraisal and advice. Then get at least one other "second" opinion. You would NOT want to list a book of this value on eBay!
UNsigned first editions with dust jacket intact (hardback in the original British edition) run from around $1500 to $6500, probably depending on the quality of the copy and the prestige of the bookseller. The American first edition (Harcourt Brace) runs as high as $1800, again depending on the condition and the bookseller. The authenticity of the signature is the critical issue.
Good luck!
2006-07-25 18:45:44 · answer #1 · answered by bfrank 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of considerations in the value of a signed book. Orwell is, of course, a well-known and respected writer. In addition 1984 was one of his most famous novels.
One factor is where it was published. 1984 was originally published in 1949 by Secker & Warburg, London. It was published by Harcourt, Brace later that year in the U.S. The British edition is worth a great deal more than the American one whether it is signed or not.
Other issues that determine price is whether the book has a dust jacket, is it original and is it in good condition. These can affect the price tremendously.
Like many authors, Orwell used a pen name. His real name was Eric Blair. How he signs the book makes a huge difference. Is it made out to someone and does he use his pen name or real name. Real name--worth a great deal more.
Orwell was seriously ill with tuberculosis and only lived to be 47. He died in 1950. 1984 published in 1949 was his last book and he had considerably deteriorated by this time. Brown University has what was left of the original manuscript which is said to be about 44%. Orwell usually destroyed he manuscripts when they were published.
All this said part of the reason a signed copy would be worth a great deal is that George Orwell would not have been available to sign the books for longer than a few months. If you were to have an original hardback edition of 1984 signed by Orwell it's value would be hard to determine. However it could be assumed it would be worth in excess of $100,000
2006-07-25 19:07:13 · answer #2 · answered by charmingchatty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
George Orwell 1984 First Edition
2016-11-03 00:31:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Woo. Lots! This is weird, too, my daughter is reading "Finding George Orwell in Burma" and has been spouting off all about 1984 and Orwell's other books that are really supposed to be about Burma (now known as Myanmar, if you wanted to know).
Do you have this book? Sell it on eBay!
2006-07-25 18:32:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would guess a lot, its a famous book, published in 1949 and Orwell died in January 1950.
2006-07-25 18:31:19 · answer #5 · answered by Spelunking Spork 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll give you my non-signed copy for it? Who wants someone scribbling all over their book, c'mon... Please??? Pretty please??
I'd say quite a bit... George Orwell is a VERY celebrated author and 1984 a VERY celebrated novel... I'm no help, that I understand...
2006-07-25 19:42:42 · answer #6 · answered by Joshua S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋