Overview
The item is a book, specifically identified by its title page and copyright page as a 1982 first edition of 'Mickelsson's Ghosts' by John Gardner, published by Alfred A. Knopf.
Identification
Mickelsson's Ghosts by John Gardner, First Edition (1982)
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Story
Published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1982, this was John Gardner's final novel published during his lifetime before his fatal motorcycle accident later that year. It stands as a significant, albeit complex, piece of his late-career bibliography. Modern first editions from the 1980s without signatures or significant cultural resurgence generally have a soft secondary market. John Gardner is a respected literary figure, but 'Mickelsson's Ghosts' is relatively common in the first edition state.
Maker / Origin
Alfred A. Knopf
Condition & Value
The seller notes the presence of the original dust jacket, which is critical for modern first editions. To achieve the mid-to-high end of the range, the jacket must be unclipped (retaining the original price) and free of tears or fading, while the book's boards and text block must remain clean and unmarked.
Full Research
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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
Modern first editions from the 1980s without signatures or significant cultural resurgence generally have a soft secondary market. John Gardner is a respected literary figure, but 'Mickelsson's Ghosts' is relatively common in the first edition state. Buyers are typically completist collectors of Gardner's work, and inventory moves slowly unless priced competitively in the $20-$30 range.
Value Drivers
▲ Confirmed First Edition state by Alfred A. Knopf
▲ Presence of the original dust jacket
▲ Historical significance as Gardner's final lifetime publication
Concerns
▼ Unverified dust jacket flap — a clipped price would drop the value to the low end of the range (±30%)
Best Venue
List on a broad online marketplace like eBay or AbeBooks. Price at $45 with 'Best Offer' enabled to capture motivated buyers, but expect a final sale closer to $25-$30. Ensure listing photos clearly show the 'First Edition' statement on the copyright page and the unclipped price on the dust jacket flap.
Upside Potential
If the book contains a verified signature or inscription by John Gardner, the value would increase significantly, likely pushing the range into the $150-$250 tier given his untimely death shortly after publication.
▾Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp
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.
Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 1 comp
- AbeBooks - Old Algonquin BooksMickelsson's GhostsLink could not be verified.$8