A Confederacy of Dunces
A first edition, first printing of A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (Louisiana State University Press, 1980) is worth about $4,500 unsigned in near fine condition, based on recorded sales. The first point to check: Title page: Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge and London, 1980.
Market value · Unsigned, near fine
$4,500
Valued from 4 recorded sales in the last 12 months.
What a copy is worth
| Condition | Unsigned |
|---|---|
| Fine | $5,175 |
| Near fine | $4,500 |
| Very good | $3,825 |
| Good | $3,240 |
| Fair | $2,700 |
How to identify this edition
These points tell this edition apart from other printings and editions of A Confederacy of Dunces.
✓ Title page: Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge and London, 1980
✓ Copyright page: no printing statement (only the copyright and manufacturing lines)
✓ Dust jacket: first state has the title in pale blue and small stars in the black sky above the brick wall, with only the Walker Percy blurb on the rear panel
✓ Price: $12.95 at the top of the front flap (unclipped); later jacket states kept it, so the price alone doesn’t prove a first
✓ Binding: pale green-grey to tan cloth, spine lettered in black
Common questions
- How do I know if my copy of A Confederacy of Dunces is a first edition, first printing?
- ✓ Title page: Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge and London, 1980 ✓ Copyright page: no printing statement (only the copyright and manufacturing lines) ✓ Dust jacket: first state has the title in pale blue and small stars in the black sky above the brick wall, with only the Walker Percy blurb on the rear panel ✓ Price: $12.95 at the top of the front flap (unclipped); later jacket states kept it, so the… The identification points above show each one.
- How much is a first edition, first printing of A Confederacy of Dunces worth?
- $2,700–$5,175 unsigned, depending on condition and whether it is signed (values as of October 2026). Values come from recorded sales of this exact printing, not asking prices.
- Can I sell my copy of A Confederacy of Dunces?
- Yes. We value the exact copy from recorded sales and make a firm cash offer, free and with no obligation to sell.
Selling a copy?
We value the exact copy from recorded sales and make a firm cash offer, free and with no obligation. Get an offer.