RARE BOOK GUIDE - THE RUNNERS, THE RIDERS & THE ODDS

08 July 2008

Gone with the Wind. Margaret Mitchell, 1936


Margaret Mitchell. GONE WITH THE WIND. Macmillan, NY 1936.

Current Selling Prices
$5000-$8000 / £2500-£4500


CLASSIC LITERATURE
Classic Southern Civil War novel well filmed with the fabled Gable and our own svelte Vivien Leigh. Oscars all round. This is what the correct first looks like (from a dealer's catalog) " Black cloth-backed gray patterned boards, spine lettered in gilt, with the red endpapers, and red topstain (ie to the top fore edge of the book) in first issue jacket, without the phrase, "Complete Unexpurgated Edition" printed, which is found on the front panel of later issues, and with the original price of $3.00 intact, listed in the bottom corner of the inside front flap . First Printing of the First Edition, First State/First issue with "Published May 1936" on copyright page, and in the First Issue dust jacket with rear panel headed "Macmillan Spring Novels" listing GWTW as the second title in the second column.' The novel above it should be Charles Morgan's forgotten and unsaleable novel 'Sparkenboke.' 10,000 were printed. The jacket can, of course, be price clipped -- but that means an expensive slice in the price. This emphasis on first/ first / first comes from the phenomenon (esp on ebay) of persons trying to sell reprints as first editions ('First edition, 17th printing' etc.,) When someone has the real thing they have to make it unequivocal-- even then they will get inquiries asking if it is really a first, or more annoyingly having described a really nice copy a buffer emails to ask if it's ex library. Infinite patience required.

VALUE? Amazing copies of this book have shown up, esp related to the movie--signed by the cast, with drawings by the designer, loosely inserted letters from Gable or David O. Selznick etc.,. A copy turned up in 1994 signed by 75 members of the cast and crew with 26 related photos- making close to $60,000 at Christies East. MM signed quite alot and her signature can add a grand or two. Hard to get a nice unsigned one in decent d/w for less than $5000 - except possibly in a poorly attended auction or a bookshop unused to highspots. In the 1970s decent copies were going for as little as $80. In 2005 a decent signed one in a fancy leather box topped $12000, another made $9000. Unsigned it doesn't appear to have gone much over $5k although a copy described as 'pristine' made $4500 as far back 1990. 'Pristine' is a word you don't use lightly.

Updating this entry from Feb 2007, a decentish jacketed copy with a letter from Clark Gable discussing his playing of Rhett Butler and his talk with Margaret Mitchell sits on ABE at $80K, probably valuing the letter at $70K, a price that must be taken with a pinch of salt. Decent copies seem to be $7500 or more, there are a lot of signed copies around often of reprints or in later states.

TRIVIA. The title comes from the poem 'Non Sum Qualis eram Bonae Sub Regno Cynarae' by decadent poet Ernest Dowson. Dowson, a superb poet, is the ultimate doomed writer--decadent, drunken, and deperately in love with unattainable girls etc. The third stanza of the poem (usually known just as Cynara) reads:-
I have forgot much, Cynara! gone with the wind,
Flung roses, roses riotously with the throng,
Dancing, to put thy pale, lost lilies out of mind;
But I was desolate and sick of an old passion,
Yea, all the time, because the dance was long:
I have been faithful to thee, Cynara! in my fashion.
In MM's words, it was the "far away, faintly sad sound I wanted" for the title and she found it with the pale Dowson. Other books, songs and movies come from Dowson's verse. The last line above was the inspiration for the song title 'Always True to You in My Fashion' from 'Kiss Me, Kate' by Cole Porter. The phrase 'days of wine and roses' comes from his poem 'Vitae Summa Brevis':-
They are not long, the days of wine and roses:
Out of a misty dream
Our path emerges for a while, then closes
Within a dream. /
This inspired a movie, a soap opera and three smoochy songs ((Henry Mancini, Andy Williams, Dream Syndicate.) Fittingly the movie is about alcoholism. Potentially some of Dowson's own books are worth more that 'Gone With the Wind.' His 'Verses' (1896, one of thirty on vellum) made over $10000 25 years ago when Ms M's books was selling regularly for $100. Sic transit...

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have a copy of this book for sale that is in excellent condition. contact me at jannask@cox.net or 480-899-3978

Marcus Medler said...

I have a signed first with so so dust jacket . The sale includes signed letters and a nice box. Only 5,000. Please email or call 866 322-2006 marcusmedler@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I HAVE A GONE WITH THE WIND BOOK BY MARGARET MITCHELL COVER SLICT BATTER BUT THE BOOK IS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH THE LETTER B. WRITTEN IN 1939 AND INTIAL BY V. M. IN 1939 AM ASKING 1,000-2,000
IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO LOOKING

I HAVE A BOOK OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN SPEECH EXCELLENT CONIDITON,
cheryl_alexander30@yahoo.com
304-320-8861

cheryl said...

I HAVE A BOOK THE LIFE OF ANDREW JACKSON 1933 BY MARQUIS JAMES
IF ANYONE INTERSET LET ME NO

Anonymous said...

My son found a "Gone with the Wind" book, inside cover with signature: CJ Gable 1937. I believe it's Clark Gable's signature on one of the first books printed. Just wondering it's value?
Thanks!
Shirley

Paulina said...

I have a copy of Gone with the Wind copywrited June, 1936 in fair condition for sale...anyone interested contact me at pfetter@hotmail.com...will accept best offer...

Anonymous said...

i have this book but the 1939 copy could you tell me its value email me at shae_princess_06@hotmail.com kind regards shae heaton.

Bookride said...

Read the above or look at bookfinder.com or http://used.addall.com/ 1939 is wrong though

Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Hello I have a GONE WITH THE WIND by MARGARET MITCHELL dated 1936 complete. if your interested my email address is ted.castro3@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I HAVE GOT THE GONE WITH THE WIND by MARGARET MITCHELL DATED 1936 AND I FOUND THE NEWS PAPER CLIPPING stuck inside of the book MARGARET MITCHELL (CENTER) RHETT BUTLER AND SCARLETT O'HARA THEY WERE AT THE ATLANTA WOMAN'S PRESS CLUB-JOURNAL PHOTO AT THE TOP OF THE NEWSPAPER CLIP IT'S PRINTED PEGGY MEETS HER BRAIN CHILDREN IN THE FLESH!!THERE BOTH ARE IN PERFECT CONDITION!! IF INTERESTED MY EMAIL IS
tillery4@charter.net

Anonymous said...

Hello this is Ted. I have 1936 First Edition of Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind. I am asking $500.00 for it. If you are interested email me at ted.castro3@gmail.com

John said...

I have an outstanding "Gone With The Wind" FIRST Edition; FIRST Printing;( May 1936 ) with FIRST STATE DUST JACKET "title in the second column of the back cover" this is rare, this is half the price of the book) AND SIGNED by Margaret Mitchell. Book is a VG+ and the DJ a G to VG. Excellent collector book. Paid $8500 in 2000 but with the economy need to sell at $5800.john @ javlouid@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I have an original Gone with the wind book, it is not in great shape but I am interested in selling it.

Joanne7122@aol.com

Unknown said...

I have a first edition, third printing copy of Gone With The wind for sale. It is in OK condition. Please contact for pictures or other information.

Freedominkandbody@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I have a Gone with the Wind book with the following printing on the copyright page:

Copyright, MCMXXXVI
By the Macmillan Company

The only other items printed on the page are "all rights reserved-no part...(etc.)" and "Printed in the United states of america. I can't figure out how much it's worth. there's no book jacket but it's in excellent condition. Could you please help me?
-Amanda
sdschlot@msn.com

Anonymous said...

I have a Gone with the Wind book. First it has the original owners name and address with a date of 12/25/36. It has half a ticket stub pasted in it from the January 27th 1937 play in Georgia. It has a couple cut out pictures of CG and VL. A full page colored picture of VL pasted in the book,on the bottom of the picture written " Vivien Leigh as Scarlet O'Hare imprinted on it, It also has a newspaper clipping pasted in the book about Vivien Leigh winning an Oscar. The cover/binding of the book has a lot of wear but the pages are well taken care of. I was wondering what the value maybe?
thank you

Mugwort the appraiser said...

Not a fortune but it might work on Ebay. Condition is against it and the stuff inside adds very little for a serious collector. Good luck, however. N

Anonymous said...

Signed, May 1936 with perfect dust jacket by Margaret Mitchell. Authenticated by B.Dickens bookstore in Atlanta, Ga. Will sell for $8,000. Contact me at slu55@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

I have a Gone With The Wind book from printing of December 1936. It has no markings inside and the dust cover is gone. The outside of the book is a little bit worn but in good shape. I have wondered what the value of this book would be.... Any ideas? lugo39@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I have a collection of Gone With the Wind books.

There are eleven books total. The oldest and most rare being a Second Edition of Gone With the Wind, Motion Picture Edition. Published in 1940.

Also, two small photographs of Olivia deHavilland in her GWTW gown for sale.

Please contact me at lisavhoffman@gmail.com if you are interested or need additional information.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

P.S. the Olivia de Havilland photos are original and signed by her.

Anonymous said...

I have a Gone with the Wind book by Margaret Mitchell published in 1936 if anyone is interested.
contact me at beckyhartman1969@yahoo.com

johnr & nc said...

I just found at an estate sale a 1938 Macmillan Edition with dustcover that looks identical to the 1936 printing. Dustcover is frayed at edges and has one slight tear in lower corner. Pages are ing good shape but perhaps slightly yellowed with time. Can bookRide or anyone help me with an estimate of value.
jr

tiggytoots64 said...

I have a 1936, Gone with the Wind-by Margaret Mitchell.The Macmillan Company. First edition. No dust cover. This is dual column in very good condition. Corners show slight wear but pages are in great shape and cover is in very good condition.Grey in color.Binding is good with slight separating on top quarter of inside first blank page only and binding is tight.Darkening on top of pages (top, outside only) on the exterior only and doesn`t affect the pages as they lay perfectly flat and no discoloration or tears or markings inside of this bookor on cover. Would make a handsome addition to any collector of vintage books.Please contact me if interested at tiggycat_64@hotmail.com if interested. Price-$1000

Anonymous said...

I have the 1936 Gone With The Wind, good condition, book cover included, not so good condition. Make me an offer. Contact at mhuston1972@yahoo.com.

Anonymous said...

I have a copy of Gone with the Wind book for sale....pls contact me @ johnson9701@bellsouth.net for more details

Anonymous said...

HI I have a 1936 edition and there is a To Lara Royen (?)
From Bert (?)
Dec 1937

Is there any way to find out how much this might be worth? THanks

scmirob@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I have a fair gone with the wind 1936 first edition. no dust cover but could someone tell me what a fair price would be?

Anonymous said...

I have an original Gone With The Wind book. No cover jacket, but in very good condition. It was published in June 1936. If anyone interested email mdhearn@austin.rr.com

Cheryl Walters said...

I have my mother's June 1942edition of Gone With the Wind. The dust jacket is worn but it intact.

The book and spine are in excellent condition and would like to get a fair price.

cherylwalters5@yahoo.com

Boxedjellyfish said...

The original first edition of Gone With The Wind w/o the dust jacket will fetch a much lower price. Antique book buyers covet prices of original copies together with the dust jacket that comes with it.

One without a dust cover will probably fetch 20-30% less of what would have been originally offered. Perhaps even lessrer. Post editions published after May 1936 will be, if I may be harsh, quite worthless. True collectors go for only the very first editions.

For all who may possess a copy of the first edition of Gone With The Wind, please note that it must be stated that it is published in May 1936 by Macmillan Company. The dust jacket that came together with the first edition should be transparent and should not possess any barcode or price chippings. They do not use barcodes in 1936.

Cheers!

taylorll02 said...

i'm looking to purchase Gone with the Wind publish date May 1936 , with original dust jacket.
email me at ltaylor@otld.net

thanks.

Anonymous said...

I have a hard cover copy of Gone With the Wind. The cover is blue and it is a little worn. My dad always told me it was a first edition. It looks like it is the year is 1936 and is in roman numerals. It was published by MacMillan.

Although I hate to sell it cause my it was my fathers, I have come by hard times and could use the money. Would you have any idea what it would be worth or if you would be interested in it. I could send pictures.

Contact me at brat4268@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Just sold a pristine first edition for 8,000£. It was a spectacular copy.

Anonymous said...

I inherited a copy of "Gone with the Wind" by Margret Mitchell that my mother had. It is a reprint dated 1954. Good condition hard cover. No cover slieve. make me an offer. woodjm@man.com

Anonymous said...

Jeff Holladay
I have a June 1936 FE "Gone With The Wind". No Dust Jacket. Never been read. 41700. Contact me at jeffholladay@earthlink.net and I'll send you photos.

Anonymous said...

Jeff Holladay
I have a June 1936 FE "Gone With The Wind". No Dust Jacket. Never been read. $1700. Contact me at jeffholladay@earthlink.net and I'll send you photos.

Cassette said...

Reprint without jacket very low value so sorry capo
Like less than 10% of this
Cassie

Anonymous said...

I have the First Edition of Gone with the Wind, No Dust Cover for sale... Contact me at 917-502-1140 with interest....

Anonymous said...

I have a original 1936 first edition of "Gone with the Wind" the dust jacket is still with it however its a little worn showing its years. The book is tight and and shows its age by the way it is published with thick uneven pages on the edges. Some pages are actually bigger than the others. On the back inside cover Clark Gable drew a actual sketch of himself and signed it "Rhett Butler". I had this authenticated and its real from Clark Gable himself. I am willing to let this book go for $250000 price is negotiable. Send me an email if you are interested. SERIOUS ONLY PLEASE! mr-whatever@hotmail.com

carol weller said...

i have a gone with the wind it is 1939 movie picure edition, in very good condition. would like to sell it. if interested send a message to babywhitesocks@yahoo.com i also have a 1941 walt disney Dumbo the Flying Eelphant, also in very good condition thank u carol

Anonymous said...

I have the December version. Cover is torn. ervin@dnet.netetwe

Glyn said...

I have a 1939 MacMillan & Co Limited, St Martin's Street London copy for sale. No dust, cover and slightly worn; inscribed inside 'To mother with much love from Ruth February 1940'. Offers welcome - posting from the UK would be £13.00 on top of offer price. Thank you. Glyn. glyn012003@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I have a 1936 1st edition copy of GWTW in very good condition, no dust cover with "To Mama Happy Birthday With Love from Buck & Mary Aug. 3 1937" inscribed inside. I welcome best offer. Contact me at yarddizzle@gmail.com for further info/pics of this timeless masterpiece of Southern U.S. Literature.

Karen said...

I have a 1936 copy which is written in Roman Numerals and is printed with two columns. I can't find any information about the two column print. Is there any one who can tell me something?

Karen
k a y e d a n i e l s @ m s n . c o m

Mugzinnys said...

I have an original copy 1936 in rough shape the book's binder is broken.
any value here? mervins218@gmail.com

Randi said...

I have a leather bound 1936 copy. Looking to sell for the right Price. Contact muffinchic@earthlink.net for more details.

Anonymous said...

I have a 1936 Gone Withe The Wind Book published in November. No Dust Jacket. The book has a little wear on the top and bottom but is in good shape. Two names written in it are Carol Anderson and Floyd. Don't know the value but if someone does please e-mail me at whitedoe123@gmail.com. Also have a first edition of The Godfather 1969. No dust Jacket and some wear on the outside of book. Would like info on this too. Thank you.