The Four Million by O. Henry Value Guide

This 1917 edition of 'The Four Million' captures the essence of early 20th-century New York through the lens of William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry. It is highly collectible for its inclusion of the iconic story 'The Gift of the Magi' and its historical significance in documenting the lives of the city's common citizens rather than just the social elite.

What Is The Four Million by O. Henry Worth?

The typical price range for The Four Million by O. Henry is $5 - $10 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 dust jacket, which is rare for 1917 copies.
• Overall physical state, including spine shelf wear, foxing on the paper, and the tightness of the binding.
• The specific publisher, as some regional or subscription-based editions are more common than others.
• Provenance or unique inscriptions that link the specific copy to notable literary history.

How to Identify The Four Million by O. Henry?

• Check the title page for the 1917 publication date to distinguish it from the 1906 first edition.
• Verify the author's name is listed as O. Henry, though the copyright may reference William Sydney Porter.
• Look for the publisher's imprint, typically Doubleday, Page & Co. or Review of Reviews Co. for this era.
• Examine the binding for the standard cloth-covered cardboard common to early 20th-century mass-market editions.

History of The Four Million by O. Henry

O. Henry, born William Sydney Porter, was a master of the short story, known for his witty narrative style and surprise endings. 'The Four Million' was published in 1906, with this specific edition from 1917. The title refers to the population of New York City at the time, offering a contrast to the '400' elite, as O. Henry believed every person in the city had a story worth telling. His stories often captured the everyday lives of New Yorkers, and 'The Gift of the Magi' is one of the most famous tales from this collection.