Lydia Bailey First Edition Value Guide

Lydia Bailey is a 1947 historical fiction masterpiece by Kenneth Roberts, celebrated for its rigorous research and commercial success as a Book-of-the-Month Club selection. This first edition is particularly collectible for its unique stylized endpaper maps depicting Pittsburgh in 1777 and the O'Hara family crest.

What Is Lydia Bailey First Edition Worth?

The typical price range for Lydia Bailey First Edition is $18 - $20 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence and condition of the original 1947 dust jacket significantly impact the $18-$20 price point.
• Overall preservation of the illustrated endpapers, ensuring no foxing or tearing on the Pittsburgh map.
• The physical condition of the cloth spine and the crispness of the interior pages.
• Association with the Book-of-the-Month Club, which affects the total volume of copies available in the market.

How to Identify Lydia Bailey First Edition?

• Verify the 1947 publication date on the title page to ensure first edition status.
• Check for the specific illustrated endpapers featuring a 'View of Pittsburgh 1777'.
• Look for the O'Hara family crest integrated into the endpaper map design.
• Confirm the binding is the original cloth and cardboard construction used by the publisher.

History of Lydia Bailey First Edition

Published in 1947, Lydia Bailey was a major commercial success and a Book-of-the-Month Club selection. The novel is known for its meticulous historical research, typical of Kenneth Roberts, and follows a young lawyer's adventures during the era of the Barbary Wars. The specific endpaper map shown is a stylized 'View of Pittsburgh 1777' featuring the O'Hara family crest.