AI Appraisal Estimate

This item is the copyright and publication page from a mass-market paperback edition of Harper Lee's novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird." The page is made of thin, off-white paper, typical of mass-market paperbacks, and features black printed text. The physical page shows some signs of wear, specifically a slight curl or bend on the outer edge, and a visible crease mark near the binding on the left side, extending vertically along the page. The overall condition appears to be good for a book of its type and age, with no apparent tears or significant discoloration, other than minor age-toning. Key identifying features include the copyright statement "Copyright © 1960 by Harper Lee," confirming the original publication year of the novel. The publisher is identified as Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. Important for dating is the line: "First mass market edition: December 1982." Below this, a printing sequence "115 114 113 112" indicates that this is the 112th printing of this specific edition. The text also includes legal disclaimers about the fictional nature of the work, copyright protection under U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, and contact information for permissions. Further details include the publisher's address (237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017) and website (www.HachetteBookGroup.com), as well as information about Hachette Speakers Bureau and a section for corporations and organizations regarding bulk purchases. The book was printed in the United States of America. The craftsmanship is consistent with standard mass-market paperback production: saddle-stitched or perfect-bound pages, legible but not luxurious printing, and a focus on affordability and wide distribution rather than fine binding.

Based on my examination of the provided image of the copyright and publication page, this is definitively identified as a mass-market paperback edition of Harper Lee's “To Kill a Mockingbird,” published by Grand Central Publishing. The key identifying feature for dating is the explicit declaration: “First mass market edition: December 1982.” Furthermore, the printing sequence “115 114 113 112” indicates this specific copy is the 112th printing of that 1982 edition. The physical condition, as described, shows typical wear for a mass-market paperback of its age, including a slight curl/bend on the outer edge and a crease near the binding. These are common issues and do not significantly detract from the value of such an edition, especially given that there are no apparent tears or major discoloration. The craftsmanship is standard for mass-market paperbacks, focusing on affordability over luxury. From a market perspective, this is a very common edition. Mass-market paperbacks, by their nature, were produced in vast quantities, and later printings, even of first mass-market editions, rarely hold significant collector value. The 112th printing further diminishes its rarity. Demand for this specific printing is low, primarily appealing to general readers rather than dedicated collectors of rare or first editions. Comparable sales for this ubiquitous edition typically range from $1 to $10, though a very good condition copy might fetch slightly more. Factors significantly impacting value are the high print run and its status as a mass-market paperback. Had this been a true first edition or an early printing of the original hardcover, the value would be dramatically higher. However, as a 112th printing of a mass-market edition, it falls into the realm of common usato books. Regarding authenticity, the image of the copyright page provides sufficient detail to verify the edition and printing. For full authentication of the entire physical book, an in-person examination would confirm the overall condition, binding integrity, and completeness of pages. No scientific testing or extensive provenance documentation would be necessary for this type of item, as its value is not high enough to warrant such in-depth verification.