Identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a first American edition of Daphne du Maurier's atmospheric 1965 gothic mystery novel, 'The Flight of the Falcon'. Set in the fictionalized Italian university town of Ruffano (modeled after Urbino), the book features a distinctive illustrated dust jacket depicting a Renaissance-style Italian cityscape framed by a classic archway. The valuation is anchored by verified secondary market listings for the 1965 First US Edition of 'The Flight of the Falcon'.
Story
Daphne du Maurier was a highly successful British author celebrated for atmospheric thrillers like 'Rebecca' and 'The Birds'. 'The Flight of the Falcon' was published in 1965, with the US edition handled by Doubleday & Company, featuring distinctive cover art that captures the Italian Renaissance setting of the novel. Mid-century gothic and mystery fiction by renowned authors like Daphne du Maurier maintains a steady, albeit niche, collector base.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The valuation assumes the book and its illustrated dust jacket are in at least Very Good condition, as described. For mid-century fiction, value is heavily dependent on a bright, un-torn dust jacket and a tight binding free of heavy foxing, moisture damage, or extensive previous owner marginalia.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Mid-century gothic and mystery fiction by renowned authors like Daphne du Maurier maintains a steady, albeit niche, collector base. While true First UK editions (published by Gollancz) command higher premiums, First US editions with striking original dust jacket art move reliably in the $30-$60 range on secondary marketplaces, appealing primarily to general readers and casual collectors.
▲ First US Edition status from a highly collected mid-century mystery author
▲ Presence of the original illustrated dust jacket, which is critical for mid-century fiction collectors
▲ Verified comps establish a reliable $35 floor for Very Good copies
▼ Unverified dust jacket price clip — a clipped jacket (missing the original $4. 95 price) reduces collector appeal
Best Venue
List on a broad marketplace like eBay or a book-specific platform like AbeBooks. Protect the dust jacket in a clear archival Mylar sleeve before photographing to maximize collector appeal. A list price of $45-$55 is appropriate for a steady sale, while pricing closer to $35 will encourage a faster turnaround.
Upside Potential
If the book is confirmed to be in pristine, unread 'Fine' condition with a flawless, unclipped dust jacket, it can reach the $75 high-end. A verified author signature (though highly unlikely for standard US editions) would push the value well above $200.