The Story of Siegfried Value Guide

This 1931 edition of The Story of Siegfried is a cornerstone of the Scribner Illustrated Classics series, renowned for its vibrant color plates by artist Peter Hurd. James Baldwin's adaptation of the Nibelungenlied and the Eddas played a pivotal role in introducing Norse mythology to American students during the early 20th century.

What Is The Story of Siegfried Worth?

The typical price range for The Story of Siegfried is $35 - $40 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 can significantly increase the market value.
• Overall condition of the cloth binding, specifically looking for fading on the spine or wear to the cover art.
• Completeness of the interior, ensuring all color plates by Peter Hurd are present and not detached.
• The absence of foxing, ink inscriptions, or heavy tanning on the pages, which is common for 1930s paper stock.

How to Identify The Story of Siegfried?

• Verify the 1931 publication date on the title page or copyright page to ensure it is the specific Scribner edition.
• Check for the presence of the original color plates illustrated by Peter Hurd, which are distinct to this version.
• Look for the signature Scribner Illustrated Classics cloth binding, often featuring a pastedown illustration on the front cover.
• Confirm the author is James Baldwin, who adapted the text from the original Norse and German legends.

History of The Story of Siegfried

First published in 1882 by James Baldwin, this particular 1931 edition is part of the Scribner Illustrated Classics series. The series was famous for bringing timeless legends to life with high-quality color plates by renowned artists like Peter Hurd. This version adapted the Nibelungenlied and the Eddas for a younger audience, helping to cement Norse mythology in American literary education during the early 20th century.