Dr. Seuss’s books are some of the most popular children’s books of all time. Nearly all of them have sold at least a couple of million copies and some such as the Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham have sold much more than that.
Dr. Seuss First Editions are favorites with highspot collectors and children’s book collectors, because while it can take a while to get a complete set that is part of the fun of it.
Dr. Seuss Firsts are fairly difficult to identify as they do not state First Edition so if you are interested in collecting or selling Dr. Seuss First Editions you need the book First Editions of Dr. Seuss Books by Helen and Marc Younger / Dan Hirsch. It tells in simple easy to understand language how to identify Dr. Seuss Firsts, complete with color photos of each book. It is well worth the money. You may think that is a lot of money to pay for a reference book but it will pay for itself in the first purchase or sale you make – so that you can know what your buying or selling.
But one thing that the Younger/Hirsch bibliography lacks is a price guide (but that is understandable since if a price guide were included it would be far out of date by now).
So here is a current price guide to Dr. Seuss First Editions:
And to Think that I Saw It on Mulberry Street. New York: Vanguard Press, 1937.
Value: About $10,000 in Dust Jacket; About $2000 without Dust Jacket.
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The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. New York: Vanguard Press, (1938).
Value: $7000 to $8000 in Dust Jacket; About $1000 without Dust Jacket.
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King’s Stilts. New York: Random House, (1939).
Value: About $10,000 in Dust Jacket (but almost in impossible to find); About $1000 without Dust Jacket.
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Horton Hatches the Egg. New York: Random House, (1940).
Value: About $8,000 to $10,000 in Dust Jacket (Almost impossible to find); About $500 without Dust Jacket.
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McElligot’s Pool. New York: Random House, (1947).
Value: About $4000 in Dust Jacket; About $500 without Dust Jacket. (prices are for the first state; later states can be had for much less).
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Thidwick: The Big-Hearted Moose. New York: Random House, (1948).
Value: About $3000 in Dust Jacket; About $150 without Dust Jacket.
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Bartholomew and the Oobleck. New York: Random House, (1949).
Value: $1750 in Dust Jacket; About $150 without Dust Jacket.
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If I Ran The Zoo. New York: Random House, (1950).
Value: $1500 in Dust Jacket.
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Gerald McBoing Boing. New York: Simon & Schuster, (1952).
Value: $600 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Scrambled Eggs Super. New York: Random House, (1953).
Value: $1250 in Dust Jacket.
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Horton Hears a Who. New York: Random House, (1954).
Value: $1250 in Dust Jacket.
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On Beyond Zebra. New York: Random House, (1955).
Value: $600 in Dust Jacket.
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If I Ran The Circus. New York: Random House, (1956).
Value: $600 in Dust Jacket.
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The Cat in the Hat. New York: Random House, (1957).
Value: $3000-4000 in Dust Jacket. (2nd state: $1000, 3rd and 4th: $50-75).
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How the Grinch Stole Christmas. New York: Random House, (1957).
Value: $1200 in Dust Jacket.
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The Cat in the Hat Comes Back. New York: Beginner Books, (1958).
Value: $450 in Dust Jacket.
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Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories. New York: Random House, (1958).
Value: $200 in Dust Jacket.
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Happy Birthday to You. New York: Random House, (1959).
Value: $200 in Dust Jacket.
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Green Eggs and Ham. New York: Beginner Books, (1960).
Value: $4000-5000 in Dust Jacket (with sticker); $750 in Dust Jacket (printed box)
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One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. New York: Beginner Books, (1960).
Value: $350 in Dust Jacket.
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Sneetches. New York: Random House, (1961).
Value: $250 in Dust Jacket.
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Ten Apples Up on Top (under the pseudonym: Theo LeSieg). New York: Beginner Books, (1961).
Value: $1500 in Dust Jacket.
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Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book. New York: Random House, (1962).
Value: $200 in Dust Jacket.
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Hop on Pop. New York: Beginner Books, (1963).
Value: $250 in Dust Jacket.
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Dr. Seuss’s ABC. New York: Beginner Books, (1963).
Value: $300 in Dust Jacket.
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The Cat in the Hat Beginner Book Dictionary. New York: Beginner Books, (1964).
Value; $250 in Dust Jacket.
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Fox in Socks. New York: Beginner Books, (1965).
Value: $400 in Dust Jacket.
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I had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew. New York: Random House, (1965).
Value: $350 in Dust Jacket.
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I wish that I had Duck Feet. (under the pseudonym Theo LeSieg). New York: Beginner Books, (1965).
Value: $750 in Dust Jacket.
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The Cat in the Hat Beginner Book Dictionary in French. New York: Beginner Books, (1965).
Value: $250 in Dust Jacket.
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The Cat in the Hat Beginner Book Dictionary in Spanish. New York: Beginner Books, (1966).
Value: $200 in Dust Jacket.
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Come Over to My House. (under the pseudonym: Theo LeSieg). New York: Beginner Books, (1966).
Value: $750 in Dust Jacket.
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Cat in the Hat Songbook. New York: Random House, (1967).
Value: $35 Not issued in Dust Jacket.
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Eye Book (under the pseudonym: Theo LeSieg). New York: Bright & Early Books, (1968).
Value: $1500 in Dust Jacket.
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Foot Book. New York: Bright & Early Books, (1968).
Value: $600 in Dust Jacket.
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My Book about Me. New York: Beginner Books, (1969).
Value: $750 or more (most copies either are not first editions or they are written in). Not issued in Dust Jacket.
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I can Lick 30 Tigers Today. New York: Random House, (1969)
Value: $200
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Mr. Brown can Moo, Can You? New York: Bright & Early Books, (1970).
Value: $1200 in Dust Jacket
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I can Draw It Myself. New York: Beginner Books, (1970).
Value: $750 or more (very hard to find without writing). Not Issued in Dust Jacket.
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I can Write. New York: Bright & Early Books, (1971).
Value: $750 or more (very hard to find without writing). Issued without Dust Jacket.
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The Lorax. New York Random House, (1971).
Value: $750 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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In a People House (under the pseudonym; Theo LeSieg). New York: Bright & Early Books, (1972).
Value: $2500 in Dust Jacket.
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Marvin K. Mooney will You Please Go Now. New York: Bright & Early Books, (1972).
Value: $1000 in Dust Jacket.
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Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? New York: Random House, (1973).
Value: $200 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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The Many Mice of Mr. Brice (under a pseudonym). New York: Bright & Early Books, (1973).
Value: $750 (without damage). Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Shape of Me and Other Stuff. New York: Bright & Early Books, (1973).
Value: $500 in Dust Jacket.
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Great Day for Up. New York: Bright & Early Books, (1974).
Value: $500 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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There’s a Wocket in My Pocket. New York: Bright & Early Books, (1974).
Value: $400 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Wacky Wednesday (under a pseudonym). New York: Beginner Books, (1974).
Value: $400 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Oh The Thinks You can Think. New York: Beginner Books, (1975).
Value: $40 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Would You Rather Be a Bullfrog. New York: Bright & Early books, (1975).
Value: $750 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Because a Little Bug Went Ka-choo (under a pseudonym). New York: Beginner Books, (1975).
Value: $2500 (very hard to find). Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Cat’s Quizzer. New York: Beginner Books, (1976).
Value: $100 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Hooper Humperdinck…? Not Him! New York: Bright & Early Books, (1976).
Value: $750 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Please Try to Remember the First of Octember (under a pseudonym). New York: Beginner Books, (1977).
Value: $500 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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I can Read with My Eyes Shut. New York:Beginner Books, (1978).
Value: $125 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Oh Say Can You Say. New York: Beginner Books, (1979).
Value: $40 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Maybe You Should Fly a Jet. (under a pseudonym). New York: Beginner Books, (1980).
Value: $1250 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Tooth Book. New York: Bright & Early Books, (1981).
Value: $1250 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Hunches in Bunches. New York: Random House, (1982).
Value: $35 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Butter Battle Book. New York: Random House, (1984).
Value: $20 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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You’re Only Old Once. New York: Random House, (1986).
Value: $20 in Dust Jacket.
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I am Not Going to Get Up Today. New York: Beginner Books, (1987).
Value: $45 Issued without Dust Jacket.
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Oh The Places You’ll Go. New York: Random House, (1990).
Value: $25 in Dust Jacket.
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Daisy Head Mayzie. New York: Random House, (1994).
Value: $15.00 in Dust Jacket.
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**Prices are for Very Good examples. By Very Good I mean copies without much chipping and that are clean and bright. Fine copies are almost impossible to find and will command a much higher price and lesser copies can be much less expensive. Sometimes prices may bit slightly off but I have been specializes in these books for several years.
hello,
I have a question about Dr. Seuss’s 1st edition Cat in the Hat. I am a bit confused about what is really considered a first edition since there were 3 prints of this all in the 1st edition. The second and third had glossy boards with multiple signatures.
The first had one signature but I’m confused about the dust jackets. I read that people were selling the 1985 dust jackets with the 1st books and that the only difference was that one had “printed in the USA on the back of the dust jacket. Does anyone know if that was for the dust jacket in 1985 or the original?
And can anyone tell me, if the price was clipped off the dust jacket does that hurt the value of the book? Especially if it was a 1st edition, 1st print. Does it diminish the value of the book significantly since the dust jacket can’t be verified without the price??
What are Beginner Books (Seuss) by Random House– Book Club Edition worth??
They were bought in the early 60’s. Thanks….
seuss fan:
Well, the 1st edition has 200/200 price, matte covers and one signature. No other printing has that. The 1985 printing says “1985” on the copyright page and the rear flap has “Printed in the U.S.A..
Yes, the price clipped does affect the value quite a bit but still worth quite a bit though I do not think it changes the status as first edition.
d bailey:
The book club editions aren’t worth very much – most can be had for a $1 or $2 but a few Beginner are worth between $5 and $20 even as book cub editions.
I agree with suess fan. The first edition had 3 printings. The first edition first printing (one signature) is most valuable, 1st edition 2nd printing (3 signatures) is still considered a 1st edition and is highly collectable but is worth less. All things being equal (orig.dust jacket, condition, etc…)
Hi, I have found this site and thought maybe you could point me in the right direction. I have 5 Dr Seuss Books that were given to me between 1978 & 1979. They are A Fish Out Of Water, Cat in the Hat, A Fly Went By, Great Day for Up and Would You Rather Be a Bullfrog? Is there a way to find out the value of them?
Carrie:
Well, the best thing is to determine if any of them are first editions. The best way to do this would be to look in the guide The First Editions of Dr. Seuss Books by Younger/Hirsch but that costs $150 and it doesn’t mention the UK editions. Since you are from Australia most likely these are UK editions printed by Collins. If that is the case than the value isn’t very high even if they are first UK editions. The way to tell First UK Editions printed by Collins is that they usually have a statement similar to “Published (1978)” or “First Published (1978)” without mention of later printings. If later dates or printings are mentioned they definitely would not be first UK editions. If any of them are First UK Editions I would think they wouldn’t be worth more than $10 a piece except if the Cat in the Hat is a First UK Edition with a dust jacket. I would think with the jacket in nice condition it should be worth a $100.
You can look on Abebooks.com for prices as well.
I have a possible first edition of Horton Hatches an Egg, it has a red background rather than the turquoise ones you see with illustration on the front. It does have the illustration on the cover, not like the ones with only the title. No dust jacket. It just says “copyright 1940”. Pretty good condition but a corner is a little frayed. Also it appears to have been a library book at one time – does that diminish the value? Any thoughts?
Linda:
You don’t have a first edition. First Editions of Horton Hatches the Egg have the statement “First Printing” on the copyright page. And yes, the fact that it is exlibrary greatly reduces value.
how can i get rid of these books?
Jerry:
I might be interested in buying some First Editions if you have them. Otherwise I would suggest Ebay.
I was wondering if someone can tell me if my 1960 Dr Seuss Green Eggs and Ham book is valuable. Copyrite 1960. On Spine B-16, Beginner Books. There is no logo on the right hand corner on the cover,(The I can read Logo.) no dust jacket.
Thank you,
Susan
Susan: Your book is not very valuable. Maybe $10. Most Dr. Seuss books without dust jackets are not worth much.
I might have one of the first edition Dr.Seuss but missing the Dust Cover.. The name of the book is The Kings Stilts Written and illustrated by Dr.Suess. The inside reads as follows COPYRIGHT,1939, BY DR.SUESS
LITHOGRAPHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA..It was a old library book.. Just wondering if it was worth anything..
Crystal: It might be worth $40 or so if it is a first edition. If it has a yellow cover it is not a first and therefore not worth even the $40.
Crystal:
Probably not a first edition. If it is yellow with red text it is a later printing.
Crystal: Dr. Seuss books without dust jackets really aren’t worth anything, unless they are early books published the 1930’s and 1940’s or one of the first editions that were not issued with dust jackets in the 1970’s.
Bella: You have a later printing that is not worth much. The first edition is stated on the copyright page.
Hi I have a 1937 “Mulberry street” Dr Suess book that I cant find anywhere why? It has Red Text on the cover, Marco is wearing blue shirt and blue shorts (outlined in red ), Spine is in white with title and Geisels name. Please tell me if anyone else has this particular one (16th print) But what edition?
lrhilo64@yahoo.com
L lwata:
16th printings are nothing special. Probably printed 10 or 15 years after the 1st printing. It would still be the First Edition but that is not how collector’s view it. Collectors consider only the First Printing to be the First Edition. It might be worth $5 without DJ; maybe $20 with DJ.
I have “And to think…Street” first edition 1937 in near mint condition without dust jacket though. How much would it be worth? Also Marco has the blue shorts on. Its by Vanguard.
Josh:
Maybe a $100. Most of the value is in the dust jacket and since the blue shorts indicate the second issue that takes away alot too. If it were white shorts probably $1,000 would be a fair price.
I have “And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street” and the inside of the front pages says Theodor Suess Geisel and spells Seuss wrong…is it worth anything for misspellings?
Angel:
I think it is the book club edition that has the misspelling. It isn’t worth anything if it is the book club edition.
I read on another site that some book club editions are worth something. Am I pricing my book incorrectly?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/189638265/i-can-write-a-book-by-me-myself-with-a?ref=shop_home_active_10
Any advice, especially from people who know which book club editions are valuable, would be so very appreciated.
It’s probably worth a little bit, maybe $40, since it is clean without writing. It is out of print so even book club editions are worth something.
I have a book club edition of Horton Hatches the Egg. Inside the book on copyright page it states first edition. However no dust jacket. What would this be worth
Linda: Why do you think it is a book club edition? Does it say “first printing” on the copyright page?
Hi I recently found my book called 500 hats of bartholomew cubbins was passed down to me… copyrighted 1938 with a mat dust jacket and price was clipped I was wondering it is a first edition iam a bit confused because the hats are from small to large on the front and large to small on the back. Thanks in advance for your input.????
Maha: The hats should be opposite of what you describe. Large to small in the front and small to large in the back.
Is the difference with To…Mulberry St if Mar o is wearing blue shorts on the cover or on the actual book pages themselves? Also, what does it mean if it says “Renewed” after the “Copyright 1937”, renewed by VG Press? Thanks!
Sherri: If it says “renewed” it is a much later printing.
I believe the books I have are first editions. They are also book club books. Any help in pricing these would be great.
1. Walt Disney The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Inside reads: 1973; H 01
2. Dr. Seuss Great Day For Up
Inside reads: 1974; k L 0
3. Sam and the Firefly
Inside reads: 1958; KLMN 0123
4. Dr. Seuss ABC
Inside reads: 1963; ZAB 0
5. Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (Dr. Seuss)
Inside reads: 1969; HIJK 0
6. Tod and Copper
Inside reads: vwxy 123
7. Who’s a Pest
Inside reads: 1962; no numbering
8. Walt Disney’s Pinocchio and his puppet show adventure
inside reads: 1973; unxy with an R under
9. Green Eggs and Ham
1960; renewed 1988 Z 0123
10. Dr. Seuss One fish two fish red fish blue fish
inside reads1960; op 0123
11. I can read with my eyes shut dr. seuss
inside reads: 1978; GH 1234
Ashley: Those are all book club editions and are not worth anything.
RE: The 500 Hats, I have an apparent 1938 “mixed state”. The Hats on the front endpapers go from large to small. with the identical flow on the rear papers. I have spoken to several dealers and shown the book with no one being understanding of this. Please comment..Thank you
Martin: I think the copies of 500 Hats with large to small hats on the front and back endpapers are an intermediate state between the first printing and later printings. The copies I have seen that like this have the first issue $1.50 on the dust jacket.
I have a Horton Hatches the egg in poor condition but it does have FIRST PRINTING on it. Do you know if it is worth anything?
Craig:
In poor condition Horten Hatched the Egg might be worth $25 or a bit more, maybe less if really bad.
Does the book, Hand Finger Thumb, come with a dust jacket?
Debbie: Yes, and Hand Finger Thumb, comes with a dust jacket.
What is the value of a Dr Seuss and to think I saw it on mulberry Street book club edition It looks very old It says 1937 on the inside for the copyright.
It was published by vanguard press Incorporated Not sure what year it is but it looks like it’s old again.
That would be from much later than 1937. Luckily prices are up because this particular title was deemed insensitive and taken out of print. Maybe $25 to $30.
I found a 1947 Mr. McElligot’s Pool while clearing out my in-laws house. There is no dust jacket. It has a blue cover with a red open mouth fish. The only picture I have seen of this on-line is on a site listing potential value that says open mouth fish are very hard to find. Is there somewhere I can find more information about it?
Should be a first edition. Maybe $200 to $300 on the market
Hi, I have 2 of the Foot Books. Both are copyright 1968. One has a glossy cover and the other has a matt cover; no dust jackets. The one with the glossy cover has 123 on the bottom of the page. The one with the mat cover has efghijklm and 789 at the bottom. Can you tell me anything about these two books and what the numbers and letter mean? I am thinking about listing them on Ebay, but have no idea what they are worth. Thanks
Rita: Sounda like you have book club editions, which are essentially worthless.