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Identification

Anne Hillerman 'The Way of the Bear' First Edition First Printing Hardcover

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

The copyright page explicitly states 'FIRST EDITION' and features a complete number line ending in '1' (23 24 25 26 27 LBC 5 4 3 2 1), definitively confirming this as a true first edition, first printing.

Story

Anne Hillerman successfully continued the acclaimed Navajo tribal police mystery series originally created by her father, Tony Hillerman. 'The Way of the Bear' (2023) is her eighth novel in this multi-generational literary legacy, published by HarperCollins. Modern first editions of popular mystery series typically have high initial print runs, making unsigned copies common on the secondary market. Collectibility and premium pricing are heavily dependent on author signatures.

Maker / Origin

HarperCollins Publishers

Condition & Value

The book is a confirmed first edition, first printing with its original dust jacket present. The primary condition issue is a retail sticker on the front cover; if it cannot be removed cleanly, it degrades the display value and limits the book to the reading-copy market.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

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

Market Analysis

Modern first editions of popular mystery series typically have high initial print runs, making unsigned copies common on the secondary market. Collectibility and premium pricing are heavily dependent on author signatures. The AMC television adaptation 'Dark Winds' has sustained general interest in the Hillerman universe, ensuring steady demand for reading copies.

Value Drivers

▲ Confirmed first edition, first printing via full number line

▲ Original dust jacket is present

▲ Ongoing franchise popularity boosted by television adaptations

Concerns

▼ Unverified signature status — unsigned copies trade at a steep discount to signed examples

▼ Front cover sticker presents a risk of jacket damage during removal

▼ High initial print runs for modern bestsellers cap baseline secondary market value

Best Venue

List on a broad marketplace like eBay or Amazon as a used first edition. Attempt to carefully remove the front sticker using a gentle adhesive solvent to improve presentation, but avoid tearing the jacket. Verify the title page for a signature before finalizing the listing price.

Upside Potential

If the title page reveals an authentic author signature, the valuation range shifts significantly upward into the $45-$60 tier, aligning with the verified signed comparables.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 2 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.

  • Book Outlet
    The Way of the Bear (A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel, Bk. 8)
    Discount retailer copy; likely a remainder or later printing, different market tier than a collectible first edition.
    $10
  • ThriftBooks
    The Way of the Bear
    Standard used reading copy from ThriftBooks; lacks first edition collector value.
    $6