Current Selling Prices
$12000+ / £6000+
CHILDREN'S BOOK.
Enduring mega classic of girl's juvenile fiction. Lucy M wrote this in Canada at the age of 30 and like our own J K Rowling had the book turned down several times. Several sequels appeared. All I remember is Anne had red hair; the essence of the book is in one of LMG's early note books - "elderly couple apply to orphan asylum for a boy. By mistake a girl is sent them." A recent true first impression that sold in auction had light green ribbed cloth, gilt-lettered on front cover and spine, mounted pictorial label on front cover (square dark surround to profile of young woman) April 1908 stated on copyright page, printed half-title, 9 plates by M.A. and W.A.J. Claus. It can sometimes have 8pp. advertisements at end.
VALUE? Scarce and valuable as the 1908 true first with even later impressions fetching over $1000. The 1908 first has twice made $20,000 + at Sotheby's this century. A fancy leather bound copy of the correct 1908 first was seen at a not unrealistic $9000 (£5000) in London. A decent professionally cleaned and restored first was sold in 2006 for 12000 US dollars in Canada.
A lot of punters are content with the Grosset or Ryerson issue. VALUABLE! The kind of book that ends up in a solander box and a safe. Has been found in unlikely places like library sales because it looks unremarkable until closely examined.Want level 25-50 Highish
9 comments:
Anne of Green Gables is also weirdly popular in Japan. Every year thousands of Japanese tourists flock to the L.M. Montogmery house in Prince Edward Island. I understand that Japanese collectors have been known to pay exorbitant prices for firsts.
By the way, I love your blog, keep up the good work. It’s like a public service.
Thanks Andrew. Useful info, it often happens that a writer becomes a cult far from home. Possibly the TV series was shown in Japan... I enjoy doing this blog so hope to keep it up. Occasionally I have to work or go away but otherwise will keep it going. Cheers-- Nigel
I am reading a book right now written by a Canadian author and he said that the Anne of Green Gables First Edition from 1908 is actually only worth somewhere between $100 to a couple thousand dollars. Depending on the condition of the novel.
Sotheby's sold a first edition for $30,000 US in December 2009. A copy of Anne of Avonlea (the sequel) with its jacket sold in the same auction for $15,000.
I just saw on Sotheby's website in New York. They are selling a Anne of Green Gables in the extremely rare dustjacket estimate is $20,000-$30,000 USD. They also are selling a rare copy of Anne of Avonlea in rare dustjacket(the sequel). The estimate is $10,000-$15,000 and a copy of Anne's House of Dreams in dustjacket. Their auction is Dec. 10.
Wow,I just saw the Sotheby's website, that Anne of Green Gables in the dustjacket and Anne of Avonlea in jacket are very rare. The Anne of Green Gables jacket could be the earliest known jacket known.
Reading the previous comments I went to the Sotheby's New York website and on December 13 they have 6 rare L.M. Montgomery books for sale. They have a Anne of Green Gables described as being in the "excessively rare dark brown cloth with only 11 copies being sold in 35 years at auction" with an estimate of $18,000-$25,000. A copy of Anne of Avonlea, Montgomery's second book in the rare dustjacket for $7,000-$10,000 with only 2 copies cited in the dustjacket being sold in 35 years. They also have a copy of Anne of the Island, signed by Montgomery with a lengthy inscription, estimated at $7,000-$10,000. A 1912 copy of Chronicles of Avonlea in tan cloth in the rare dustjacket, with no copies located before in a jacket with an estimate of $4,000-$6,000. They are also selling a rare 3 page letter written by L.M. Montgomery with a signed photo of her, estimate here is $8,000-$12,000. Also, a copy of Anne of Ingleside in the dustjacket, signed by L.M. Montgomery estimated at $5,000-$7,000. Her books keep going up in value!
Wow, those are really nice books!
I see Sotheby's New York is selling a fine first edition copy of Anne of Green Gables in the green cloth this Friday Dec. 14,2012(Lot #67). They say it is the finest condition copy to come to auction and estimate it at $20,000-$25,000. They further say the cover is spectacular. I wonder if the record of $30,000 USD will be broken!!!! It surely is a beautiful book.
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