Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a hardcover copy of 'The Valley of Horses', the landmark second novel in Jean M. Auel's acclaimed 'Earth's Children' prehistoric fiction series. Published by Crown Publishers, this volume features a personal inscription and signature by author Jean M. Auel on the title page.
Story
Published in 1982, this blockbuster followed the smash success of Clan of the Cave Bear. Auel researched survival techniques firsthand, learning to tan hides and make fire to bring her Ice Age heroine to vivid life.
Maker / Origin
Jean M. Auel began writing historical fiction after leaving a corporate career at age 40, diving into intense anthropological research. Her meticulous worldbuilding turned the Earth's Children saga into a global publishing phenomenon with over 45 million copies sold worldwide.
Condition & Value
Dust jacket shows light shelf wear along the bottom edge, but the book and interior title page appear clean and well preserved. A personalized inscription ('To Janice') softens value slightly compared to a flat signature.
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Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.