There is a first edition MARTIAN CHRONINCLES that is listed on ebay. Does anyone know how to tell if it's a first edition?

1950 is the printing date. And it should say first edition on the inside page.
Prices range from anywhere around $175.00 for a bent-up waterlogged copy (which was on ebay several months ago and sold for above that amount)....to close to $1000.00 for a fine copy...
Of course some Salvation Army thirft store, or neighborhood garage sale, might turn one up for a $1.00
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Betty:
I looked up the current ebay copy of 'The Martian Chronicles'...and the bid is somewhere about a mere $10.00, as of the hour of this posting. It's listed as a 'book club edition'...which throws me...because I am NOT familiar with a 'book club edition' with a 1950 date on it. Someone more knowledgeable may clue you in on this particular copy. Even with the cover in 'tatters' as they describe, I have yet to see a regular hardback copy less than $100.00 recently.




[This message has been edited by Nard Kordell (edited 03-31-2004).]

Thanks for you help. Actually you must have looked at the wrong book. I found out through a dealer's site some details, and the one listed as "The Martian Chronicles FIRST EDITION HC Ray Bradbury" looks to be one of the authentic first editions! It has some minor problems. THANKS AGAIN for the advice!

The listing on ebay now says -- The boards of this volume are green. I'm told "the first issue boards were green....then later issue (but still first edition) were blue."

Is this true? Does anyone know about this?

Yes, the cloth binding of the true 1950 first edition of THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, issued by Doubleday, was a light green. The color of the green cloth on the spine of the book has a tendency to fade, even if covered by the first edition dust jacket.

So what's the average price for a true first edition?

Quote from AUTHOR PRICE GUIDE Quill & Brush - Bradbury APG 005.4 (c) 2002

"002b: THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES. Doubleday, Garden City, 1950. [1] First state in green binding. $500/2,500

002c: THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES. Doubleday, Garden City, 1950. [1] Second state in blue binding(scarcer than green binding). $300/2,000 "

The first number of the price is for the book without its dustwrapper. The second number is for the one in its original dustwrapper.

Both of the above books are stated "First Edition" in copyright page, but are different state.

Those prices are for the books in condition for no major defects and being fine showing only minor wear, fading, or soiling.

Condition is vital for the price of this kind of collectibles, as you might know; the poorer in condition even a little bit, the much less in price!

Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by celsius233 (edited 04-09-2004).]

Thanks for your help. It sold for $635.00 -- and not me. Good price I guess.