The Cricket in Times Square First Edition Hardcover Book
Farrar, Straus and Cudahy (Publisher) / George Selden (Author) / Garth Williams (Illustrator) · Books & Media > Children's Vintage Books
Era / Decade
1960s (Published 1960)
Material
Paperback dust jacket, clothbound hardcover spine, paper pages
Condition
Fair to Good condition; significant shelf wear, chipping, tears, and creasing along the edges and corners of the dust jacket. Loss of paper along the top edge of the jacket.
Demand Level
Moderate to Niche; highly collected among classic children's book enthusiasts, particularly if confirmed to be a 1st edition/1st printing.
Resale Value
Estimated Resale Value
$25.00 - $75.00 (depends heavily on printing edition verified inside on the copyright page)
Estimated Retail Value
$15.00 - $20.00 (modern reprint value)
Comparable Sales
Vintage early printings with original dust jackets in fair-good condition typically fetch $30-$60 on eBay and Etsy. Verified 1st edition 1st printings in jacket can reach $100+.
Description
Vintage early printing copy of 'The Cricket in Times Square' by George Selden, featuring iconic original illustrations by Garth Williams. Includes original illustrated dust jacket with red title lettering and animal artwork. A beloved Newbery Honor-winning classic.
Key Features
Includes original dust jacket, collectible 1960s artwork by Garth Williams, Newbery Honor award winner classic, original period typography.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence; period-correct paper aging, original artwork printing quality, authentic wear patterns typical of 1960s children's library/home books.
Flaws to Note
Dust jacket shows heavy edge wear, tearing along top edge, missing paper fragment top right, fraying on cloth spine corners, aging/yellowing.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay, Etsy, AbeBooks, Biblio
Selling Tips
Photograph the copyright/title page clearly to confirm printing edition (1st printing vs later). Highlight the presence of the original dust jacket despite its wear. Ship via USPS Media Mail using sturdy cardboard protection.