Yankee from Olympus Value Guide

Yankee from Olympus is a definitive 1944 biography by Catherine Drinker Bowen that humanizes Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. It is highly collectible for its detailed exploration of the Holmes family legacy and its significant impact on mid-century American legal literature.

What affects the value of Yankee from Olympus?

• The presence and condition of the original 1944 dust jacket significantly impacts the $10-$15 price range.
• Overall structural integrity, including the tightness of the binding and lack of foxing on the paper pages.
• Provenance or signatures, such as a previous owner's bookplate or an inscription by Catherine Drinker Bowen.
• The specific printing number, as true first printings are more desirable than later 1944 reprints.

How to Identify Yankee from Olympus?

• Verify the 1944 publication date on the title page or copyright page to confirm the first edition status.
• Check for the original cloth binding, typically featuring gold or silver lettering on the spine.
• Look for the presence of the original dust jacket, which features a portrait-style illustration of Justice Holmes.
• Confirm the publisher is Little, Brown and Company, based in Boston.

History of Yankee from Olympus

Catherine Drinker Bowen's 'Yankee from Olympus' chronicles the life of Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., a towering figure in American legal history. Published in 1944, this biography brought Holmes's complex character and intellectual contributions to a broad audience, highlighting his profound impact on American jurisprudence and his unique family legacy. Holmes, a Civil War veteran, served on the Supreme Court for over 30 years, becoming known for his influential dissents and his commitment to judicial restraint.