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
2 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
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