Identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a first US edition printing of Margaret Atwood's critically acclaimed 1988 novel 'Cat's Eye', published by Doubleday. It features the striking original dust jacket art depicting a bridge and a mysterious figure holding a blue marble, reflecting the book's themes of memory and childhood. This specific copy is a Book-of-the-Month Club (BOMC) edition, as indicated by the note at the bottom of the copyright page.
Story
Margaret Atwood is a highly celebrated Canadian author, and 'Cat's Eye' (1988) is considered one of her most acclaimed novels. This specific copy was published by Doubleday for the US market and distributed through the Book-of-the-Month Club (BOMC), a popular subscription service that made hardcovers widely accessible but limits their modern collectibility. The secondary market for late 20th-century Book Club editions is highly saturated and primarily driven by reading-copy demand rather than collector interest.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The valuation assumes the book and dust jacket are in standard, intact used condition. The presence of the original dust jacket is a positive baseline for display value. Any unverified interior markings, spine lean, or significant edge wear to the jacket would push the value toward the lower end of the range.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for late 20th-century Book Club editions is highly saturated and primarily driven by reading-copy demand rather than collector interest. Buyers are typically casual fans or readers looking for affordable hardcovers. While true first trade editions of Atwood's works can command higher prices, BOMC variants trade consistently in the single digits to low teens across platforms like eBay, ThriftBooks, and Etsy.
▲ Original dust jacket is present, maintaining baseline display value.
▲ Recognizable and highly regarded author ensures steady reading-copy demand.
▼ Book-of-the-Month Club (BOMC) status significantly caps collector value compared to a true first trade edition.
▼ High availability of used copies on mass-market sites depresses individual resale prices.
Best Venue
Given the modest market value, this item is best suited for a fast-sale listing on platforms like eBay or Mercari. List around $10–$12 with 'BOMC' clearly stated in the title to manage buyer expectations. Alternatively, consider bundling it with other Atwood or contemporary fiction hardcovers to create a more attractive lot and offset shipping costs.
Upside Potential
There is minimal upside above the stated high for a standard BOMC edition unless it is discovered to be signed by Margaret Atwood, which would shift the value into the $50–$100+ tier depending on condition.