Grimm's Tales for Young and Old Value Guide

This 1977 first edition, first printing of 'Grimm's Tales for Young and Old' is a significant collectible for its fresh English translation by Ralph Manheim. Published in the United States, it represents a modern scholarly effort to bring the authentic German folklore of Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm to a contemporary audience.

What affects the value of Grimm's Tales for Young and Old?

• The presence and condition of the original dust jacket significantly impact the $30-$50 price range.
• Overall structural integrity, including the tightness of the binding and lack of foxing on the paper pages.
• Provenance or markings, such as the absence of library stamps or previous owner inscriptions, which preserve collector value.
• The scarcity of first printing copies compared to later book club editions or subsequent reprints.

How to Identify Grimm's Tales for Young and Old?

• Verify the publication date of 1977 on the copyright page to ensure it is the first US edition.
• Check for the specific translator credit to Ralph Manheim, which distinguishes this version from earlier Victorian translations.
• Confirm the presence of a full number line on the copyright page to identify it as a first printing.
• Look for the original dust jacket artwork which was unique to this late 1970s hardback release.

History of Grimm's Tales for Young and Old

Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm, known as the Brothers Grimm, published their first collection of fairy tales, 'Kinder- und Hausmärchen' (Children's and Household Tales), in 1812. Over the years, the collection grew, captivating audiences with stories that have become cultural cornerstones. This particular edition, 'Grimm's Tales for Young and Old,' translated by Ralph Manheim, offers a newly translated selection of these timeless narratives, providing a fresh perspective on the classic German folklore for an English-speaking audience.