Under Cover Value Guide

Under Cover is a seminal work of investigative journalism by Avedis Boghos Derounian, writing as John Roy Carlson, which became the best-selling non-fiction book of 1943. It is highly collectible for its historical significance as a firsthand account of the author's four-year infiltration into pro-Nazi and fascist organizations within the United States during World War II.

What affects the value of Under Cover?

• The presence and condition of the original dust jacket significantly impact the $25-$30 price range.
• First printings or early editions with minimal foxing and crisp pages command the highest collector interest.
• Historical provenance, such as owner inscriptions from the WWII era, can add unique value.
• Overall structural integrity, including the tightness of the binding and lack of sun-fading on the spine.

How to Identify Under Cover?

• Verify the 1943 publication date and the E.P. Dutton & Co. imprint on the title page.
• Check for the original dust jacket featuring a bold, graphic design typical of wartime propaganda literature.
• Confirm the author's pseudonym, John Roy Carlson, is listed prominently on the cover and spine.
• Look for the specific orange or red cloth binding used in the early hardcover printings.

History of Under Cover

Written by investigative journalist Avedis Boghos Derounian under the pseudonym John Roy Carlson, this book was a groundbreaking bestseller during WWII. It detailed the author's four years spent infiltrating pro-Nazi and fascist underground organizations in America. Upon its release, it caused a massive stir and faced several lawsuits from those named within its pages, though it eventually became the best-selling non-fiction book of 1943.