Overview
The copyright page explicitly identifies this as the Fifth Edition (copyright 1975) by Prentice-Hall, Inc. The number line '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2' indicates it is the second printing of this edition.
Identification
Richard Corson 'Stage Makeup' 5th Edition, 2nd Printing (1975)
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Story
Richard Corson's 'Stage Makeup' was first published in 1942 and quickly became the definitive, standard textbook for theatrical makeup across the performing arts. This 1975 fifth edition was published by Prentice-Hall, a major educational publisher. There is no specific association, signature, or notable provenance attached to this particular copy.
Maker / Origin
Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Condition & Value
The visible evidence shows a severe structural failure: the binding is completely split at the title page, exposing the inner mesh, and the text block appears detached from the spine. This major defect categorizes the book strictly as a 'reading' or 'reference' copy.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
Vintage instructional manuals like Corson's 'Stage Makeup' hold nostalgic and practical value for theater professionals, but older iterations are heavily superseded by modern updates (currently in its 11th+ edition). The secondary market is saturated with mid-to-late 20th-century copies. Buyers typically source these from major used-book clearinghouses where abundant supply keeps prices very low, unless a copy is a pristine first edition or carries a significant author signature.
Value Drivers
▲ Recognized as a foundational text in theatrical makeup, maintaining a baseline of practical reference demand.
▲ Exact edition and printing (1975, 5th Ed, 2nd Print) is clearly verified by the copyright page.
Concerns
▼ Severe binding split and detached text block downgrades this to a reading copy, eliminating collector interest.
▼ Unverified page completeness — missing pages in a detached text block would render the book entirely unsellable.
▼ Heavy market saturation of vintage editions on major book clearinghouses severely caps the maximum resale value.
Best Venue
Given the low market value and severe condition issues, this item is best suited for donation to a local community theater, a high school drama department, or bundled in a larger lot of vintage theater books. If listing online, price aggressively under $10 on a platform like eBay, explicitly noting it as a 'reading copy' with clear photos of the binding damage to prevent buyer returns.
Upside Potential
There is virtually no upside for this specific copy due to the severe structural damage; even pristine, unsigned 5th editions rarely exceed $20-$35 on the secondary market.