The Prince of India Value Guide

Published in 1893 by Harper & Brothers, The Prince of India is a significant historical novel by Lew Wallace, the celebrated author of Ben-Hur and a Civil War general. This two-volume set is highly collectible due to Wallace's meticulous research conducted while serving as the U.S. Minister to the Ottoman Empire.

What Is The Prince of India Worth?

The typical price range for The Prince of India is $25 - $35 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of both volumes in the original matching set significantly impacts the $25-$35 value.
• Condition of the cloth binding, specifically looking for sun-fading on the spine or frayed corners.
• The presence of any original dust jackets, which are exceptionally rare for this 1890s era.
• Internal cleanliness, including the absence of foxing, cracked hinges, or previous owner inscriptions.

How to Identify The Prince of India?

• Verify the publisher is Harper & Brothers with the correct 1893 date on the title page.
• Confirm the set consists of two volumes bound in decorative cloth with gilt lettering.
• Look for the 'By the author of Ben-Hur' attribution often found on the cover or title page.
• Check for the original blue or brown cloth bindings typical of the first printing.

History of The Prince of India

Written by Lew Wallace, the famed author of Ben-Hur and a Civil War general, this novel was published in 1893. It follows the story of the Wandering Jew through the fall of Constantinople. Wallace spent years researching the history and topography of the Middle East while serving as the U.S. Minister to the Ottoman Empire, giving the book its noted historical depth.