The Golden Hawk Value Guide

The Golden Hawk is a significant 1948 historical novel that established Frank Yerby as the first African-American author to achieve best-seller status and a major Hollywood film deal. This 17th-century Caribbean privateer adventure remains a cornerstone for collectors of mid-century literature and African-American cultural history.

What Is The Golden Hawk Worth?

The typical price range for The Golden Hawk is $45 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence and preservation of the original dust jacket significantly impacts the $45-$50 price point.
• Overall condition of the paper and ink, specifically looking for foxing or brittle pages common in 1940s stock.
• Structural integrity of the cloth binding and the crispness of the cover's embossed or printed details.
• Historical provenance or signatures that link the copy to the era of its 1952 film adaptation.

How to Identify The Golden Hawk?

• Verify the 1948 publication date and Dial Press imprint on the title page.
• Ensure the presence of the original swashbuckling-themed dust jacket featuring 17th-century maritime art.
• Check for the original cloth binding and cardboard boards typical of late 1940s American hardcovers.
• Confirm the absence of later printing notations to ensure true first edition status.

History of The Golden Hawk

Published in 1948 by Dial Press, this novel solidified Frank Yerby's status as the first African-American writer to become a best-selling novelist and to have a book purchased for film adaptation by a major Hollywood studio. Set in the 17th-century Caribbean, the story follows a French privateer and was later adapted into a 1952 film starring Sterling Hayden.