The first edition of Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White was published in 1952 by Harper & Brothers in New York. One of the most popular children’s classics. Illustrated by Garth Williams.
First Edition Points:
- Published by Harper & Brothers
- “First Edition” is stated on copyright page
- “I-B” code on copyright page
- $2.50 price on front flap of dust jacket
- Advertises Stuart Little on the back panel of the dust jacket and lack of mention of later books
All those published by Harper & Row are later printings after 1963.
Book Clubs have no edition statement except “Book Club Edition” on front flap of the dust jacket and no two letter code on copyright page. Any copy with a two letter code is a printing between 1952 and 1963.
The key to the printings is (first letter is month, last letter is year):
A = January
B = February
C = March
D = April
E = May
F = June
G = July
H = August
I = September
K = October (J was not used)
L = November
M = December
B = 1952
C = 1953
D = 1954
E = 1955
F = 1956
G = 1957
H = 1958
I = 1959
J = 1960
K = 1961
L = 1962
M = 1963
Value:
With Dust Jacket:
Very Good, $1000
Fine, $4500
Without Dust Jacket:
Very Good: $175 – $200
First Editions of this book on Abebooks
Just wondering about my family copy of Charlotte’s web that was copywrited, 1952. It does not say “first edition.” It says A-I, instead of I-B. What does this mean?
Shana:
You have a January, 1959 printing, which is evidenced by the A-I code.
I have a copy with the letters B-F and the dust jacket 2.50 on the inside right corner. Is this a true first edition
I have a copy of Charlotte’s Web copywrited 1952 but has no mention of first edition or other letters to say when it was printed?? Any idea how how I would find out??
Shelley
Joanne:
It is a February, 1956 printing. Probably worth $20.
Shelley:
Most likely you have a book club edition or maybe a newer reprint.
Mine seems to be a book club edition. How much is this worth?
Taylor:
Book club editions are not worth more than a few dollars.
hi I have a first edition charlottes web it has it says first edition I-b but it does not have the dust jacket what is it worth with out it. and I was wondering if you might be interested in buying it.
I just noticed I have a 1952 Hardback, library edition I think and its marked B-C. Than cover, blue lettering. I got it when our school library was sorting thru old books when I was a kid.
Just curious about its value. Thanks.
Logan:
It depends on the condition. If it is very nice it could be worth $250, if it is in bad condition $20-$50. I would list it on Ebay if I were you.
Tammie:
You have a February, 1953 printing as evidenced by the B-C code on the copyright page. But if it is Exlibrary without a dust jacket it really isn’t worth more than $4 or $5.
Hello,
I have a 1952, Harper and Brothers edition of CW. It has the ad for Stuart Little on the Back, with the four reviews. This is clearly not a book club edition, and it states 1952 as clear as day. However, it does not state first edition, nor I-B, but rather B-F.
Thoughts?
I have a 1952, dust jacket w/Stuart Little Adv., tan w/lettering, doesn’t say first edition, but has letters E-E. Is it worth anything? Thanks.
Tom:
You have a February, 1956 printing.
Marilynn:
You have a May, 1955 printing.
These early printings are desirable in dust jacket and probably would sell for at least $20.
For reference:
The first letter in the code is the month, and the second letter is the year.
A = January
B = February
C = March
D = April
E = May
F = June
G = July
H = August
I = September
K = October (J was not used)
L = November
M = December
B = 1952
C = 1953
D = 1954
E = 1955
F = 1956
G = 1957
H = 1958
I = 1959
I own a first edition, I-B, copyright 1952, book is in very fine condition. Dustjacket has the 4 S.L. reviews, also the $2.50 is intact inside front flap. Personally I would call the dj in very good condition. It has chips off of the top and bottom of the spine as well as along the top edge. There are 2 minor 1/8 inch tears on bottom edge of dj. I am very interested in selling and hope you can estimate its value, pics available if needed
I have a copy with a nice dust jacket prtined May 1953. Can you please advise what I should expect when selling this?
ericblen:
Maybe $20 or $30.
Hi there, I have the first edition, first printing (I-B) The dust jacket is in okay condition, torn a little at the edges, but no pieces mssing) still has the price of 2.50 (with a small pen marking over it), and the book is in great condition except for 3 pages in the middle with what looks like a tiny coffee stain, about the size of the head of a nail. How would you classify this condition, value? Binding and everything else is perfect. Thanks!
Blahm: I would say $150-$250.
Brett: I would think you should be able to get $250, it might be worth somewhat more but that is what I think you could get.
I have a copy in fine condition, with dust jacket in fine condition. Copywrite says a-d with price of 2.50 on dust jacket and stuart little advertisement on back… Is it worth anything at all?
Hello –
I have a NF copy of Charlotte’s Web with a VG dust jacket. Not stated first edition, however cpoyright date of 1952 is presented, with “A-M” alpha string. I assume it is a non-first 1952 printing. Note that DJ has a Harper Blue Ribbon Book eal on the cover. Can you give me an idea of printing and general value?
Best Regards.
DanH
I have a copy of Charlotte’s Web copywrited 1952 but has no mention of first edition or other letters I also do not have a DJ. It is signed by the illustrater Garth Williams. What do you think I could get for it…it is in good condition?
I have a A-I edition, January 1959, how much would it be worth? I also have a lot of other old books, where I could I go to find out their value? Thanks for any helpful information.
Daniel, Dan H, and Danielle:
All of these early printings are worth about the same $20-$30.
Amy:
Here are the current prices for Charlotte’s Web signed by Garth Williams:
https://modernfirsteditions.net/abebooks/charlotte-web-signed
The cheapest is $1000 but I think it isn’t worth quite that much.
I would think it should be worth $250.
i have a 1952 book w/dj. price on dj is 5.95. book has copyright 1952, library of congress catalog number is 52-9760 what does this mean
Darney:
Based on the price it probably is a 1970’s printing.
I have a good condition 1952 Charlotte’s Web, 1-C, no dust jacket. Value?
thanks
Stephen
I have a copy of “Charlotte’s Web” published by Harper & Brothers, price $2.50, with an M-B code. From your reply above, this is a December 1952 printing. The pages and cover are in very good condition and the binding is tight. The dust jacket shows considerable wear and has a few small tears along the bottom edge. The book has the name of the former owner written on the front endpaper. Is this book worth anything?
Is the Sept 1952 First Ed the earliest published version of this book or are there earlier bound copies that didn’t get circulated?
Matt:
Yes, the September First Edition is the earliest. I don’t think that there are advance copies before September. Advance copies would have been printed before the Hardcover First Edition but I couldn’t find any for sale.
i have a 1952 copyright edition from the library of congress is it worth anything?
Jennifer: Probably not. Unless it has the first edition points listed above it really isn’t much. Early printings are worth $20 to $50 in dust jackets but it doesn’t sound like you have an early printing.
I have a very good con
dition Charlottes Web 1952, only states printed in the United States of America. Dust jacket states book club but nothing inside says so. Tan & green hard cover in very good condition. Its also numbered 4081. What is it worth. I can send pictures. Btw, I’ve never opened it, just kept in my bookshelf for abour 25 years.
Leslie: Book Club Editions are not worth anything. Collectors are only interested in first editions.
I also have a very good condition Stuart Little 1945, numbered 3276, also book club edition on dust cover. No browning.
I have a first edition Charlotte’s Web (meets all criteria) but it is without the cover, does have the torn out front flap of the cover, and a section of the back flap torn out, and stuck in book – evidencing the $2.50 original price on front flap, and the mention of Stuart Little only on back flat. Is this book worth anything without it’s cover in tact? Binding is good, it is clean, several pages were folded down at the corner, but no rips.
Thanks!
Marcia
Marcia: I would think you should be able to get $50 for it, perhaps a bit more, if you put in on Ebay.
I have a 1952 hardcover charlotte’s web book newberry honor book, weekly reader that is printed upside down can anyone tell me anything about it?????
Viki: weekly reader books are not valuable and errors in binding are generally not valuable.
I have a copy of Charlotte’s web – copyright 1952 with a worn, torn dust cover with a Harper Blue Ribbon sticker on it. The book is in good condition, no torn or missing pages. Any idea what it’s worth or how I should sell it? We have hundreds of vintage children’s books from my deceased mother-in-law’s house and we’re wondering what the best way is to sell them. Any advice would be much appreciated.
This is interesting. My copy of Charlotte’s Web states the two letter code A-M on the title page. This would seem to be a 1963 printing, but it doesn’t say Harper and Row; it says Harper and Brothers and has no date other than 1952 on the publishing page. As far as I knew, all 1963 and later printings were Harper and Row? Maybe I’m just delusional! Please let me know what I have (It’s probably nothing but good memories, but it doesn’t hurt to ask!)
I have a 1952 Charlotte’s Web with the inside hard cover printed upside down and backwards.
Would this be of value?
hi, i have a charlottes web book with dust cover,it does not state any letters apart from a library of congress number 52-9760, it does not state that it is the 1st addition . it has a $3.95 printing in the inner of the dust sheet,it states its published in 1952 and published by haper and row is this worth any thing, its in very good condition and it also has an illistrarion from stuart little on the dust sheet at the back of the book.
I am wondering the value on my book. It a weekley reader edition, Charlotte’s Web. Copyright 1955, by E. B. White.
Hello. I have the Charlotte’s Web novel that has a tan cover with a drawing of Fern feeding Wilbur in red and on the binding it says Charlotte’s Web with Charlotte coming down from the apostrophe, E. B. White, and Harper & Row all the way towards the bottom. It looks and smells older, but is in excellent condition. It doesn’t have any code on the copyright page, however. And it has no dust jacket. How much do you believe it’s worth?
Hi I have a first edition charlottes web book copyright 1952 I-B it is in poor condition and is missing the d/j the binding is attached but not to the side of the book and the front cover is seperated from the book . in its condition is it worth anything ?
I have a copy in perfect condition, with dj, with no identifying letter our number; however it has a price of $3.95 on the dj. It is not a book club addition. Any idea what it might be worth?
Thanks!
Patty:
Probably not much. Later printings generally don’t sell for more than $10 unless they are fairly early.
Charles:
Actually, your copy would be a January, 1962 copy not 1963. The M stands for 1962.
Dorothy:
Probably not. If it was a first edition stated it would probably still sell but for less. Books that are misbound, etc. are generally less valuable not more.
Jenna:
It would be a printing from sometime in the mid to late sixties. It would only be worth a couple of dollars, maybe $5.
Elle:
Probably $5.
I have a CW, with the 1952 in the on the copyright page by Harper & Brothers. H-K. what year was it published? value? It is in average shape and was an elementary library book. There is not $2.50 printed on the title page. No dust jacket.
Hello. I have the Charlotte’s Web novel that has a tan cover with a drawing of Fern feeding Wilbur in red and on the binding it says Charlotte’s Web with Charlotte coming down from the apostrophe, E. B. White, and Harper & Row all the way towards the bottom. It looks and smells older, but is in excellent condition. It doesn’t have any code on the copyright page, however. And it has no dust jacket. How much do you believe it’s worth?
I have a 1952 Charlotte’s web book club edition in perfect condition. Any idea what it might be worth?
Hi I have Charlotte’s Web copyright 1952 by E. B. White A-D I was wondering if it is worth anything? If so , About how much ?
My copy of CW is a very good with fair dust jacket code E-E. How can I calculate its value?
Hi – my Charlotte’s Web says copyright 1952, printed by Haddon craftsmen of Scranton for Harper and brothers. No date code. Would you be able to tells what edition this is? Thanks!
Carrie G.:
It was printed in 1960. Not worth anything.
Robin Lindahl:
Your copy was printed after 1962 as that is when Harper & Brothers became Harper & Row. No value.
Steven:
A book club edition in perfect condition might sell for $5 if you are lucky.
Robyn:
Maybe $20 or $30 if it has a dust jacket but maybe not. Depends on condition, etc.
Christen:
Later printings like this one (1955) are fairly common and don’t go for much. Maybe $20.
Chris:
It is later printing, probably a book club edition.
What year did the face of the hard cover have the exact same illustration as the dust cover? Thanks for any help you can offer.
Julia:
I think it was at least into the 1960’s before the book cover matched the dust jacket.
I have a1952 Charlotte’s Web no dust jacket is l-d which looks to be published 11/1954 it has a library od congress catalog # it is published by Harper& brother any value? Thank you in advance
Heather:
A 1954 printing without a dust jacket wouldn’t be worth much, maybe $4 or $5.
Hi! Today I found a 1952 copy of Charlotte’s Web with the dust cover – perfect condition. The dust cover has $5.95 printed. I know you’ve answered before regarding this book (Harper and Row, library of congress 52-9760). But, the inside of the book on the first page has somewhat of a cryptic inscription: “Carol – Remember, a good writer is a true friend. Hopefully, I’m a decent writer! hee” (hee is all lowercase, the handwriting is cursive and not especially nice btw).
Now I know the writer isn’t hee, but I just wanted to make sure this wasn’t anything special?? Thanks in advance for your help!
Kayce:
“hee” doesn’t sound familiar to me. Perhaps it was a aspiring writer, probably unknown.
I have charolottes web marked i-b first edition 1952 #52-9760 library of congress catalog #godd condition value plz!!!!!
Joe: You might get $100 but it depends on what good condition is to you and if it has a dust jacket (it would be worth much more).
I have a Charlotte’s Web published by Harper & Row, Publ. NY & Evanston. Not a first edition in very good condition. Book itself is black with seated girl in red on cover – no pix on back cover of dust jacket. No letters on copyright page which just states 1952. Been trying to find year published. Any help??? Thank you
Linda: All copies from Harper & Row were printed after 1962 and are not worth a more than a couple of dollars.
Hi,
I have a copy of Charlotte’s Web. It was given to me in 1965. The copyright page says copyright 1952. The only other information is Library of Congress catalog number. There aren’t any other numbers or letters referring to printings. It has a dust jacket with a Harper Blue Ribbon Book label running across the spine. Just trying to estimate the worth. Thanks!
Cathy:
Later printings aren’t worth much.
I have a 1952 copyrighted Charlottes web. Letters a-k. No dust jacket. Its special to me. Just wondering what it is worth. Thanks!
Jenn:
It would be a January, 1961 printing. Not worth much, Maybe $5.
As a class assignment in college, we were to write a children’s author abut a book they had written. I choose EB White regarding Charlotte’s Web. I was one of two students who received a response from an author. His letter is dated April 29, 1966 on “The New Yorker” stationery, thanking me for my thoughts about the book. It is written on a typewriter and signed in ink. Is this worth anything?
Jackie:
From my research a letter might be worth about $300, maybe a bit more or less. E.B. White signed more books and wrote more letters than many authors. But it helps that it is written on New Yorker stationary because that provides more provenance.
I have a 1952 with no first edition or letters, whats that mean, thanks.
Mary: Probably a much later printing if there is no letter code.
How can you figure if your book is first edition can someone help me out…steps to figure it out…
Leon: Read the post above. Basically, it has to say “first edition” on the copyright page.
My edition has the Stuart little on the back, it has I-B, it says first edition, copyright is 1952 by Harper and brithers, the only thing that doesn’t fully match is the price on the dust jacket is $3.95. Any idea on price?
Brittney:
Most likely someone took a dust jacket from a later printing (maybe from the late 1960’s) and put in on this book. Since the dust jacket isn’t original you might get $100 to $200 depending on condition.
CW, no dust jacket, 1952 copyright year, M-B coded (December, 1952 I am assuming)…what is it worth?
Cathy: Not much. Even early printings are not worth much without dust jackets.
Hello.
I have the Charlotte’s Web novel that has a tan cover with a drawing of Fern feeding Wilbur in red and on the binding it says Charlotte’s Web with Charlotte coming down from the apostrophe, E. B. White, and Harper & Row all the way towards the bottom.
It does not have any code on the copyright page, however. And it has no dust jacket.
All Harper and Row printings are after 1962. $4 or $5 at most.
I have a Stuart Little copyright 1945, book club edition with dust cover in very good condition. Can anyone tell me its value or possibly what website to look on specifically for book values?
$5
I have a Charlotte’s Web book that is printed upside down. Is it worth anything?
Unfortunately, publish defects are not sought after. A first edition with publisher defects would be though.