Identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a first edition, first printing of Steve Shagan's 1986 crime thriller 'Vendetta'. Published by William Morrow under the Perigord Press imprint, it features a striking, quintessentially 1980s dust jacket designed by Bernard Schleifer, complete with bold typography and provocative cover art. The valuation is anchored by current asking prices for direct matches on secondary book marketplaces.
Story
Steve Shagan was a notable American novelist and screenwriter, often writing crime and thriller novels. 'Vendetta' was published in 1986 by William Morrow and Company under the Perigord Press imprint. The dust jacket, designed by Bernard Schleifer, is highly characteristic of the bold, graphic style prevalent in 1980s thriller publishing. The secondary market for mid-1980s mass-market thrillers is generally saturated and driven by readers seeking reading copies rather than high-end collectors.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
For books in this tier, value is highly dependent on the dust jacket remaining unclipped and free of major tears, and the binding remaining tight. Minor edge wear or page yellowing is typical for 1980s paper stock and is generally accepted by buyers, though pristine copies will sit at the higher end of the estimate.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for mid-1980s mass-market thrillers is generally saturated and driven by readers seeking reading copies rather than high-end collectors. First editions of Steve Shagan's works, while recognizable, do not currently command a premium unless signed by the author. Most copies trade on high-volume used book platforms for under $10.
▲ First edition, first printing status provides a slight edge over later book club or paperback editions
▲ Presence of the original Bernard Schleifer-designed dust jacket is essential for reaching the high end of the estimate
▼ High supply and low collector demand for 1980s mass-market thrillers severely cap the price ceiling
▼ Unverified condition of the dust jacket — any significant tears or a clipped price will drop the value to the $4 reading-copy floor
Best Venue
Given the low secondary market value, listing this as a single item on high-fee platforms may not yield a worthwhile net return after shipping. Consider bundling with other 1980s thrillers or Steve Shagan novels to create a more attractive lot. If selling individually, list on media-specific platforms like PangoBooks or eBay with an optimistic list price of $10 and a fast-sale price of $5.
Upside Potential
If the book is verified to be signed or inscribed by Steve Shagan, the value could shift into the $25-$40 range for dedicated fans of his screenwriting and novels.