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Identification

James Ellroy "The Cold Six Thousand" First Edition Hardcover

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

The copyright page serves as the definitive publisher's mark, explicitly stating 'First Edition', 'Copyright 2001 by James Ellroy', and identifying the publisher as Alfred A. Knopf.

Story

Published in 2001 by Alfred A. Knopf, this is the second installment in James Ellroy's acclaimed Underworld USA Trilogy. While Ellroy is a master of American historical noir and his early works are highly sought after, the sheer volume of copies printed for his later mainstream releases limits their scarcity. The secondary market for modern first editions from prolific, bestselling authors like James Ellroy is heavily saturated.

Maker / Origin

James Ellroy (Author) / Alfred A. Knopf (Publisher)

Condition & Value

The book retains its original dust jacket, which is a baseline requirement for modern collectible fiction. However, the presence of a prominent retail sticker on the front panel is a notable condition penalty that detracts from its display value.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for modern first editions from prolific, bestselling authors like James Ellroy is heavily saturated. Because print runs for late-career blockbusters like 'The Cold Six Thousand' were massive, supply far outstrips demand. Consequently, values remain modest and highly condition-dependent, with significant premiums reserved almost exclusively for copies signed by the author.

Value Drivers

▲ Stated First Edition by Alfred A. Knopf confirms the earliest printing.

▲ Original dust jacket is present, preserving the baseline collectible format.

Concerns

▼ Retail sticker on the front panel creates a visible condition penalty for collectors.

▼ Unverified signature status — lack of an author signature limits the ceiling to the $10-$20 range.

Best Venue

Given the modest secondary market value for unsigned copies, this item is best suited for a bundled sale with other Ellroy titles or listed on a high-volume marketplace like eBay or Amazon as a reading copy. Attempting to remove the front sticker is not recommended unless done by a professional, as tearing the jacket's finish would further reduce its value.

Upside Potential

If the title page is found to be signed or inscribed by James Ellroy, and the dust jacket price is confirmed to be unclipped, the value would shift into the $30-$45 range aligned with dealer asking prices for signed copies.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 4 comps

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • Bookleggers
    THE UNDERWORLD U.S.A. TRILOGY [Volume One: American Tabloid, The Cold Six Thousand
    Everyman's Edition of the trilogy, not the standalone first edition.
    $60
  • eBay
    The Cold Six Thousand by James Ellroy, 1st Edition, 1st Printing, HC DJ
    Link could not be verified.
    $47
  • Second Story Books
    THE COLD SIX THOUSAND [Signed]
    Link could not be verified.
    $38
  • Avenue Victor Hugo Books
    The Cold Six Thousand
    Link could not be verified.
    $30