The Best of Life Value Guide

Published in 1973 by Time-Life Books, 'The Best of Life' serves as a definitive hardcover tribute to the magazine's weekly run ending in 1972. Edited by David E. Scherman, it is highly collectible for preserving legendary photojournalism that defined the 20th century.

What Is The Best of Life Worth?

The typical price range for The Best of Life 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 tears or heavy fading significantly reduce the $15-$25 price point.
• Integrity of the spine and binding, which can become strained due to the book's large physical dimensions.
• Presence of foxing or yellowing on the internal pages, which impacts the clarity of the high-contrast photography.
• Market demand for 1970s nostalgia and the specific historical events captured within the anthology.

How to Identify The Best of Life?

• Verify the 1973 publication date and Time-Life Books imprint on the title page.
• Check for the large-format hardcover binding, typically featuring a red and white Life logo.
• Ensure the presence of the original dust jacket, which features a collage of iconic historical photographs.
• Confirm David E. Scherman is listed as the editor, a key figure in the magazine's history.

History of The Best of Life

First published in 1973 by Time-Life Books, this collection was edited by David E. Scherman to commemorate the legacy of Life Magazine after its original run as a weekly publication ended in 1972. It features legendary photojournalism covering world events, celebrities, and everyday human experiences from the 1930s through the early 1970s.