If a book is copyrighted in let's say, 1935, does that mean it is from 1935?

Question

I'm trying to find out if my book is worth anything or not. The title is Anne of Green Gables and I see two copyrights. one from 1908, by L.C. page & company-when the book came out- and one from 1935, by Lucy M. MacDonald. There's no isbn or publication date or dust jacket. it was printed in the US...xP I don't know much about collecting books so I'd appreciate any information on collecting books.

Answer 1

Obviously, a book with a copyright date of 1935 could not have been printed before that date, but it may have been printed after that date.

At that time (no longer), a copyright was for 28 years and could be renewed once. The 1935 date probably applies to the renewal. You may find that the edition you have includes information such as "First printing," "Second printing" which may give an insight into when that particular book was made.

Generally, what makes a book valuable are its importance and its condition. A first edition is almost always the most collectable and thus most valuable.

A first edition of something by, say, Mark Twain or Ernest Hemingway (particularly of their most significant works) would almost surely have more value than a first edition of "The Autobiography of Joe Schlub." Nobody cares about Joe Schlub.

Most collectors want only books in perfect condition, including the dust jacket (in perfect condition also). This would not apply to very rare and significant books.

"Anne of Green Gables" has perhaps millions of volumes in print, which means it is not rare. Since yours is not a first edition, it is unlikely to have much monetary value.

Answer 2

the 1935 date applies to the added material only, the original work is dated from 1908. It was written by Lucy Maud Montgomery so the other person named may be for the illustrations that were used in your edition. It is common for illustrations to be added in later editions once the publishers know the work will sell. It is possible that the Canadian copyright expired after 28 years and some other person tried to obtain a US Copyright by re-publishing, but that would not hold up to legal scrutiny. There was a Lucy MacDonald that was a noted artist and engraver of that period, but i could not find a specific citation if she worked on this.

Answer 3

"Anne of Green Gables" was originally published in 1908. The 1935 date is probably the copyright renewal date. Sometimes there is new material (a foreword or afterword, for example) that is given a separate copyright date when reprinted.



I don't think your book is going to be worth anything, unless it happens to be signed by the author. Check http://www.abebooks.com and plug in all the details on advanced search, if you want to find out for sure.

Answer 4

U.S. copyright law requires a written work to be renewed before the 28th year otherwise it goes into public domain.(hence 1935 as 1936 is the 28th year since 1908) This means that Anne of Green Gables would have to be renewed by 1963. Tha actual print date of your copy has to be between 1935 and 1963.

Answer 5

HOWEVER, just because you have a book that you know was first released in, say, 1950 and it has a 1950 copyright on the title page, this does not automatically make it a first edition. Book Club editions of books (Book of the Month Club, etc.) usually get a printing off in the book's first year, but these are far less valuable than a true first edition.

Answer 6

is someone able to tell me what is the right answer for this question?

Answer 7

i belive weldon is correct.........