The Bridge Over The River Kwai First Edition
A first edition, first printing of The Bridge Over The River Kwai by Pierre Boulle (Vanguard Press, 1954) is worth about $603 unsigned in near fine condition, based on recorded sales. The first point to check: Copyright page: “Copyright, 1954, by Pierre Boulle … Manufactured in the United States of America by H. Wolff, New York. Designed by Marshall Lee. Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 54-11507”, with no printing line below it.
Market value · Unsigned, near fine
$603
Valued from 2 recorded sales in the last 12 months.
What a copy is worth
| Condition | Unsigned |
|---|---|
| Fine | $693 |
| Near fine | $603 |
| Very good | $513 |
| Good | $462 |
How to identify this edition
These points tell this edition apart from other printings and editions of The Bridge Over The River Kwai.
✓ Copyright page: “Copyright, 1954, by Pierre Boulle … Manufactured in the United States of America by H. Wolff, New York. Designed by Marshall Lee. Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 54-11507”, with no printing line below it
✓ Title page: The Vanguard Press, Inc., New York; translated by Xan Fielding
✓ Dust jacket: title in large green, black and red capitals, “a novel by Pierre Boulle” in script; back panel headed “Acclaim Around the World For THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI”, “Awarded the Prix Ste. Beuve in France”, The Vanguard Press, 424 Madison Avenue
✓ Price: $3.00 on the front flap (unclipped)
✓ Binding: green cloth boards with brown cloth spine, lettered on the spine; red top stain
Not sure which printing you have, or what it is worth? How much is my book worth? Printing, dust jacket, condition and signature, explained.
Common questions
- How do I know if my copy of The Bridge Over The River Kwai is a first edition, first printing?
- ✓ Copyright page: “Copyright, 1954, by Pierre Boulle … Manufactured in the United States of America by H. Wolff, New York. Designed by Marshall Lee. Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 54-11507”, with no printing line below it ✓ Title page: The Vanguard Press, Inc., New York; translated by Xan Fielding ✓ Dust jacket: title in large green, black and red capitals, “a novel by Pierre Boulle” in script; back panel… The identification points above show each one.
- How much is a first edition, first printing of The Bridge Over The River Kwai worth?
- $462–$693 unsigned, 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.
- Can I sell my copy of The Bridge Over The River Kwai?
- 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.
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