How do you know if a book originally came out with a dust cover? I know most generally they do but I also know I've bought new books that didn't come out with a cover as well?

They make publisher specific guides for book collectors, that have details like that. They are probably online now. If they're not you can probably get them at a library.

I gave my older niece a first edition from Edgar Rice Burrough's Martian Chronicles series last Summer. Condition makes a huge difference in value. In perfect condition the book I gave her would have been worth around $1750.00. In the condition it was in,it was probably worth around $160.00. I bought it for $6.00.

Keith

Did you buy it online from the ABE Bookstore Keith? That's where I get most of my books. They have some great values on rare books.

Sorry I can't answer your question Nate other that to say that sellers will often say if the copy thy are selling is missing the original jacket.

Had a friend, now deceased, that had collected thousands of books. His garage was like a library....he always said first editions, with jacket, in perfect conditions were the only ones that got top dollar....IF...you could find that one person that wanted it....

He thought he was sitting on a gold mine, but couldn't give them away, other than a very few ...Most people are no longer interested in books......pretty sure they ended up in a dumpster.