There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch First Edition
A first edition, first printing of There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch by Milton Friedman (Open Court, 1975) is worth about $68 unsigned in near fine condition, and up to $2,544 signed, based on recorded sales. The first point to check: Copyright page: “Published by the Open Court Publishing Company in 1975”, ISBN 0-87548-310-0.
Market value · Unsigned, near fine
$68
Valued from 4 recorded sales in the last 12 months.
What a copy is worth
| Condition | Unsigned | Signed | Inscribed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | $78 | $2,544 | $2,544 |
| Near fine | $68 | $2,213 | $2,213 |
| Very good | $59 | $1,881 | $1,881 |
| Good | $59 | $1,693 | $1,693 |
| Fair | $59 | — | — |
How to identify this edition
These points tell this edition apart from other printings and editions of There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.
✓ Copyright page: “Published by the Open Court Publishing Company in 1975”, ISBN 0-87548-310-0
✓ Dust jacket: cover design by Bud Edmondson (rear flap)
✓ Price: $9.95 on the front flap (unclipped)
✓ Binding: red cloth spine over blue boards
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 There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch is a first edition, first printing?
- ✓ Copyright page: “Published by the Open Court Publishing Company in 1975”, ISBN 0-87548-310-0 ✓ Dust jacket: cover design by Bud Edmondson (rear flap) ✓ Price: $9.95 on the front flap (unclipped) ✓ Binding: red cloth spine over blue boards The identification points above show each one.
- How much is a first edition, first printing of There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch worth?
- $59–$78 unsigned, up to $2,544 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 There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch worth more?
- Yes. In near fine condition a copy signed by Milton Friedman is valued at about $2,213, against $68 unsigned. A signature should be verified before you rely on that figure.
- Can I sell my copy of There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch?
- 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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