Artunderwraps

Faulkner William Light in August

First Edition Prices, Values and Auction Results

A highly collectible book by William Faulkner, A Light in August tells the story of alienation based on racial discrimination and the turmoil it creates. His setting of the South amidst Jim Crow and Prohibition infiltrate the lives of his characters in what is considered to be one of the great American novels of the 20th century. Main character Lena Grove sets out on a heart-wrenching search for the father of her child who promised to come back to her after leaving town. Published in 1932 by Harrison Smith and Robert Haas (New York), collectors look for a first printing with "Jefferson" for "Mottstown" on p. 340, line 1. First printings with a dust jacket can range from $500 to as much as $6000 when in fine/near fine condition with a like jacket.

We collected a sample of 26 auction results of Faulkner, William's Light in August from 3 different auction houses. The lowest overall price realized in our sample was $510 and the highest overall price realized was $6000. The overall average price was $2200 and the median price realized for the book was $1712. There were 13 auctions (62%) with a price realized below the low estimate, 1 auctions (5%) exceeding the high estimates, and 7 auctions (33%) within the range of the low and high estimates. Auctions of interest include: a Bonhams sale on February 17, 2008 of a 1932 - Smith and Haas edition for $4800 that described as "a particularly fine copy"; a Bonhams sale on June 27, 2006 of a 1932 - Smith and Haas edition for $4182 that Eudora Welty's copy; a PBA sale on January 26, 2006 of a 1932 - Harrison Smith and Robert Haas edition for $3900 that described as "fine in a fine jacket"; a PBA sale on October 03, 2002 of a 1932 - Harrison Smith and Robert Haas edition for $6000 that described as "near fine with a very good to near fine jacket";

Recent Auction Results:

Auction House Auction Date Author Title City Publisher Year Estimate Sale Price Auction Page Copies For Sale
Swann May 16, 2017 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $1800-$2500 $1500 Swann Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Swann November 10, 2016 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York 1932 $1800-$2500 $1300 Swann Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Bonhams December 9, 2015 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Smith and Haas 1932 - $1625 Bonhams Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Swann June 19, 2014 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York 1932 $1000-$1500 $3250 Swann Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Swann June 21, 2012 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York 1932 $1200-$1800 $1140 Swann Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Swann November 8, 2011 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York 1932 $1500-$2000 $1440 Swann Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Swann October 14, 2010 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York 1932 $2000-$3000 $1920 Swann Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Bonhams December 15, 2009 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Smith and Haas 1932 - $976 Bonhams Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Bonhams June 10, 2009 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Smith and Haas 1932 - $3050 Bonhams Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Swann March 12, 2009 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York 1932 $600-$900 $510 Swann Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA October 9, 2008 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $1500-$2500 $1140 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Bonhams February 17, 2008 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Smith and Haas 1932 - $4800 Bonhams Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA December 14, 2006 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $1000-$1500 $1080 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Bonhams June 27, 2006 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Smith and Haas 1932 - $4182 Bonhams Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA March 9, 2006 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $2000-$3000 $1200 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA January 26, 2006 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $5000-$8000 $3900 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA September 29, 2005 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $1500-$2500 $2280 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Swann April 14, 2005 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York 1932 $1500-$2500 $2280 Swann Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA November 18, 2004 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $800-$1200 $660 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA May 27, 2004 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $2000-$3000 $1800 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Swann April 15, 2004 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York 1932 $2500-$3500 $2300 Swann Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA January 29, 2004 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $1200-$2000 $1800 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA October 9, 2003 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $1000-$1500 $600 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA October 3, 2002 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $5000-$8000 $6000 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
PBA April 25, 2002 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York Harrison Smith and Robert Haas 1932 $4000-$7000 $5100 PBA Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert
Swann October 18, 2001 Faulkner, William. Light in August New York 1932 $1000-$1500 $1380 Swann Abebooks Copies Set Price Alert