Artunderwraps

First Edition Prices, Values and Auction Results

Experimentation with point of view and unique techniques in storytelling, William Faulkner's Requiem for a Nun is a sequel to his earlier novel Sanctuary. It reads as a play and a novel, and continues the story of Temple Drake Stevens. The first issue was published in 1951 by Random House (New York)in a batch of 750 copies signed by Prices at auction typically range from $500 -$1500. The first trade edition incorrectly identified the artist as "M. McKnight Kauffer" (not "E. McKnight Kauffer) on front flap of jacket and can be found at auction for $60-$500 dependent on condition.

We collected a sample of 31 auction results of Faulkner, William's Requiem for a Nun from 3 different auction houses. The lowest overall price realized in our sample was $60 and the highest overall price realized was $1440. The overall average price was $545 and the median price realized for the book was $520. There were 17 auctions (59%) with a price realized below the low estimate, 3 auctions (10%) exceeding the high estimates, and 9 auctions (31%) within the range of the low and high estimates. Auctions of interest include: a Swann sale on October 01, 2009 of a 1951 edition for $1320 that one of 750 signed by author; a PBA sale on December 13, 2007 of a 1951 - Random House edition for $1440 that one of 750 signed by author; a Swann sale on March 21, 2002 of a 1951 edition for $1150 that one of 750 signed by author;