King Kong First Edition
A first edition, first printing of King Kong by Delos W. Lovelace (Grosset & Dunlap, 1932) is worth about $13,618 unsigned in near fine condition, based on recorded sales. The first point to check: Title page: “Illustrated with scenes from the radio picture”, imprint Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York.
Market value · Unsigned, near fine
$13,618
What a copy is worth
| Condition | Unsigned |
|---|---|
| Near fine | $13,618 |
| Very good | $11,576 |
How to identify this edition
These points tell this edition apart from other printings and editions of King Kong.
✓ Title page: “Illustrated with scenes from the radio picture”, imprint Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
✓ Copyright page: “Copyright, 1932, by Grosset & Dunlap, Inc.”, with “Printed in the United States of America” at the foot
✓ Binding: lime green cloth, “King Kong” lettered in dark brown on the front board and spine, dark top stain
✓ Endpapers: photographic stills from the film
✓ Dust jacket: colour illustration of Kong holding a woman above dinosaurs, front panel reading “conceived by Edgar Wallace and Merian C. Cooper … novelized from the radio picture by Delos W. Lovelace”
Common questions
- How do I know if my copy of King Kong is a first edition, first printing?
- ✓ Title page: “Illustrated with scenes from the radio picture”, imprint Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York ✓ Copyright page: “Copyright, 1932, by Grosset & Dunlap, Inc.”, with “Printed in the United States of America” at the foot ✓ Binding: lime green cloth, “King Kong” lettered in dark brown on the front board and spine, dark top stain ✓ Endpapers: photographic stills from the film ✓ Dust jacket: colour… The identification points above show each one.
- How much is a first edition, first printing of King Kong worth?
- $11,576–$13,618 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 King Kong?
- 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.