Howl and Other Poems First Edition
A first edition, first printing of Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg (City Lights Pocket Bookshop, 1956) is worth about $3,450 unsigned in near fine condition, and up to $9,016 signed, based on recorded sales. The first point to check: Title page: “The Pocket Poets Series : Number Four / The City Lights Pocket Bookshop / San Francisco”.
Market value · Unsigned, near fine
$3,450
What a copy is worth
| Condition | Unsigned | Signed | Inscribed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near fine | $3,450 | $9,016 | $9,016 |
| Very good | $2,933 | $7,664 | $7,664 |
How to identify this edition
These points tell this edition apart from other printings and editions of Howl and Other Poems.
✓ Title page: “The Pocket Poets Series : Number Four / The City Lights Pocket Bookshop / San Francisco”
✓ Copyright page: “Copyright, 1956 / by / Allen Ginsberg” (the word spelled out), Library of Congress number 56-8587, imprint “The City Lights Pocket Bookshop, Publishers, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco 11, California”, no printing statement
✓ Dedication page: Lucien Carr listed with Kerouac, Burroughs and Cassady
✓ Rear wrapper: a period after “Harlem” in the biographical note, no statement at the foot
✓ Price: 75 cents at the top of the rear wrapper (the price alone doesn’t prove a first)
✓ Binding: stapled black wrappers with a white paste-on label printed in black
Common questions
- How do I know if my copy of Howl and Other Poems is a first edition, first printing?
- ✓ Title page: “The Pocket Poets Series : Number Four / The City Lights Pocket Bookshop / San Francisco” ✓ Copyright page: “Copyright, 1956 / by / Allen Ginsberg” (the word spelled out), Library of Congress number 56-8587, imprint “The City Lights Pocket Bookshop, Publishers, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco 11, California”, no printing statement ✓ Dedication page: Lucien Carr listed with Kerouac, Burroughs and… The identification points above show each one.
- How much is a first edition, first printing of Howl and Other Poems worth?
- $2,933–$3,450 unsigned, up to $9,016 signed, depending on condition and whether it is signed (values as of November 2026). Values come from recorded sales of this exact printing, not asking prices.
- Is a signed first edition, first printing of Howl and Other Poems worth more?
- Yes. In near fine condition a copy signed by Allen Ginsberg is valued at about $9,016, against $3,450 unsigned. A signature should be verified before you rely on that figure.
- Can I sell my copy of Howl and Other Poems?
- 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.
More by Allen Ginsberg
- Collected Poems 1947-1980 — Allen Ginsberg · First print · $35