The Bride Wore Black
A first edition, first printing of The Bride Wore Black by Cornell Woolrich (Simon and Schuster, 1940) is worth about $5,299 unsigned in near fine condition, based on recorded sales. The first point to check: Title page: “An Inner Sanctum Mystery” at the head, “Simon and Schuster · New York · 1940” at the foot.
Market value · Unsigned, near fine
$5,299
Valued from 1 recorded sales in the last 12 months.
What a copy is worth
| Condition | Unsigned |
|---|---|
| Near fine | $5,299 |
| Very good | $4,503 |
| Good | $840 |
How to identify this edition
These points tell this edition apart from other printings and editions of The Bride Wore Black.
✓ Title page: “An Inner Sanctum Mystery” at the head, “Simon and Schuster · New York · 1940” at the foot
✓ Copyright page: “Copyright, 1940, by Cornell Woolrich / Published by Simon and Schuster, Inc. / Rockefeller Center, 1230 Sixth Avenue”
✓ Binding: blue cloth, spine lettered in gilt, gilt Inner Sanctum device on the front board
✓ Dust jacket: black-and-white photographic bride design, “An Inner Sanctum Mystery” at the foot of the front panel
Common questions
- How do I know if my copy of The Bride Wore Black is a first edition, first printing?
- ✓ Title page: “An Inner Sanctum Mystery” at the head, “Simon and Schuster · New York · 1940” at the foot ✓ Copyright page: “Copyright, 1940, by Cornell Woolrich / Published by Simon and Schuster, Inc. / Rockefeller Center, 1230 Sixth Avenue” ✓ Binding: blue cloth, spine lettered in gilt, gilt Inner Sanctum device on the front board ✓ Dust jacket: black-and-white photographic bride design, “An Inner Sanctum Mystery”… The identification points above show each one.
- How much is a first edition, first printing of The Bride Wore Black worth?
- $840–$5,299 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 The Bride Wore Black?
- 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.