History of Art by H.W. Janson Value Guide

First published in 1962, H.W. Janson's 'History of Art' became a landmark textbook by offering a more inclusive, global survey of art history than its predecessors. These 1960s and 1970s hardcover editions are highly collectible for their mid-century design and their status as a foundational text in American university education.

What Is History of Art by H.W. Janson Worth?

The typical price range for History of Art by H.W. Janson is $15 - $25 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the dust jacket, as these are frequently missing or torn on former student copies.
• The specific printing year, with the 1962 first edition generally holding the most interest for collectors.
• Presence of internal markings, such as student highlighting or marginalia, which can decrease the $15-$25 market value.
• Overall structural integrity, specifically looking for cracked hinges or loose pages common in thick textbooks.

How to Identify History of Art by H.W. Janson?

• Check for the original 1962 copyright or subsequent 1960s-70s printing dates on the title page.
• Verify the presence of the iconic heavy-duty hardcover binding typical of United States academic publishing in this era.
• Look for the distinct high-quality color plates and black-and-white illustrations printed on heavy paper stock.
• Confirm the author name 'H.W. Janson' is prominently displayed on the spine and front cover.

History of History of Art by H.W. Janson

H.W. Janson's 'History of Art' is a landmark textbook first published in 1962. It revolutionized art education by presenting a global and inclusive survey of art history, moving beyond a purely Western perspective. The book quickly became a staple in universities and remains one of the best-selling art history texts of all time, continually updated and reissued.