Death of a Citizen by Donald Hamilton Value Guide

Published in 1960, Death of a Citizen is the seminal espionage novel that introduced the world to Matt Helm, a gritty government assassin. This United States paperback original is highly collectible for launching a series that provided a realistic, hard-boiled alternative to the James Bond phenomenon.

What Is Death of a Citizen by Donald Hamilton Worth?

The typical price range for Death of a Citizen by Donald Hamilton is $10 - $15 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Physical condition of the spine, specifically looking for uncracked surfaces and minimal color fading.
• The presence of any 'Dean Martin' movie tie-in branding, which can distinguish later printings from the 1960 original.
• Overall paper quality, as these vintage paperbacks are prone to browning or 'foxing' over time.
• Scarcity of the first printing compared to the numerous later editions released during the height of the film series' popularity.

How to Identify Death of a Citizen by Donald Hamilton?

• Check for the original 1960 publication date on the copyright page to ensure it is a first printing.
• Verify the Gold Medal Books publisher logo and the specific cover art depicting the transition of an ordinary man to an assassin.
• Look for the original cover price, typically 35 cents, which is characteristic of early 1960s Fawcett Gold Medal paperbacks.
• Confirm the author's name, Donald Hamilton, is prominently displayed above the title.

History of Death of a Citizen by Donald Hamilton

Donald Hamilton's 'Death of a Citizen' introduced Matt Helm, an ordinary man forced back into his former life as a deadly government assassin. Published in 1960, this novel kicked off a long-running and highly successful series that offered a grittier, more realistic take on the spy genre compared to contemporaries like James Bond. The book's popularity led to film adaptations starring Dean Martin as Matt Helm, further cementing its place in Cold War-era pop culture.