The Walter J. Black Editions were reprints of seventy-three of Zane Grey’s titles with one additional title appearing as a First Edition. The series also included a biography of Zane Grey. Produced in the 1950s and 1960s, they were bound in red and tan cloth and originally came in a rice paper cover.
Most of these books have little value, but the last thirteen in the list below are substantially rarer and can command higher values. Two titles, The Wolf Tracker and The Camp Robber normally have a higher value. The Wolf Tracker is almost impossible to find in the original Harper’s Edition, so this title is, in many cases, collected by collectors who feel they will never find the original first. The Camp Robber is a First Edition in the Walter J. Black series. It was never published anywhere else other than a magazine serial. It is therefore highly collectible.
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
No code letters, copyright information at the bottom of the copyright page.
29
1
23
1925
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters L-Y (November 1924) and “First Edition” stated
39
2
29
1979
*date is unknown or approximated
1928
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters G-C (July 1928) and “First Edition” stated
50
3
11
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Copyright (1924), code letters K-X (October 1923) and “First Edition” stated
4
4
8
1917
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters L-Q (November 1916)
52
5
26
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters G-H (July 1933) and “First Edition” stated
14
6
14
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters C-E (March 1930) and “First Edition” stated
33
7
43
1929
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters H-D (August 1929) and “First Edition” stated
12
8
33
1939
Publication Type: Armed Service Editions, Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
10-9 (October 1939 publication date), code letters I-O (September 1939 press date) and “First Edition” stated
49
9
18
U-678 (5/1945)
1937
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters C-M (March 1937) and “First Edition” stated
48
10
38
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
8-0 (August 1940 publication date), code letters G-P (July 1940 press date) and “First Edition” stated
37
11
40
1932
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters I-F (September 1931) and “First Edition” stated
1
12
34
1935
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters B-K (February 1935) and “First Edition” stated. Note: Dust jacket has cellophane type coating on front and ½ inch on read. Blind stamp on front flap reads ‘PROTECT O’ COVER, Inc’.
38
13
15
1931
Publication Type: Armed Service Editions, Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Hapers
Code letters K-F (October 1931) and “First Edition” stated
36
14
12
V-722 (6/1945)
1921
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Copyright (1921), code letters I-U (September 1920)
25
15
28
1979
*date is unknown or approximated
1921
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Copyright (1921), code letters K-V (October 1921)
40
16
7
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Copyright 1925, code letters I-Z (September 1925) and “First Edition” stated
46
17
8
1979
*date is unknown or approximated
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Copyright (1920), code letters A-U (January 1920)
23
18
6
Publication Type: Armed Service Editions, Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
6-1 (June 1941 publication date), code letters C-Q (March 1941 press date) and “First Edition” stated
42
19
19
Y-842 (9/1945)
1932
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters F-G (June 1932) and “First Edition” stated
30
20
13
1913
Publication Type: Armed Service Editions, Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters C-N (March 1913)
8
21
2
Z-883 (10/1945)
Publication Type: Armed Service Editions, Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
“MCMX” on title page and no code letters on copyright page and “Published September 1910"
15
22
1
Q-19(12/1944) also CC-997 (1/1946)
1948
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
4-8 (April 1948 publication date), code letters C-X (March 1948 press date) and no mention of “First Edition”
31
23
22
1946
Harpers
2-6 (February 1946 publication date), code letters A-V (January 1946 press date) and “First Edition” stated
32
24
1934
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters B-I (February 1934) and “First Edition” stated
6
25
35
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters M-N (December 1913)
18
26
24
Vol_3_#9_Nov_1949
1979
*date is unknown or approximated
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters F-P (June 1915)
28
27
24
1916
Publication Type: Armed Service Editions, Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters E-Q (May 1916)
3
28
4
FF-1107 (4/1946)
1926
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Copyright 1926, code letters F-A (June 1926) and “First Edition” stated
44
29
31
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
6-2 (June 1942 publication date), code letters C-R (March 1942 press date) and “First Edition” stated
22
31
41
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
3-43 (March 1943 publication date), code letters C-S (March 1943 press date) and “First Edition” stated
35
32
20
1927
Publication Type: Armed Service Editions, Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Copyright 1926, code letters G-A (July 1926) and “First Edition” stated
13
33
10
X-797 (8/1945)
1919
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Copyright (1919), code letters A-T (January 1919)
9
34
27
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters D-N (April 1938) and “First Edition” stated
27
35
17
1933
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters K-G (October 1932) and “First Edition” stated
10
36
35
1915
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters M-O (December 1914)
19
37
3
1944
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
6-4 (June 1944 publication date), code letters E-T (May 1944 press date) and “First Edition” stated
51
38
42
1939
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters M-N (December 1938) and “First Edition” stated
16
39
39
1936
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters G-L (July 1936) and “First Edition” stated
21
40
16
Publication Type: Armed Service Editions, Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
4-7 (April 1947 publication date), code letters B-W (February 1947 press date) and “First Edition” stated
45
41
43
RR-1294 (4/1947)
1918
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters A-S (January 1918). Note: Dust jacket with rear panel of dust jacket stamped “W.S.S. War Savings Stamps issued by the United States Government” front flap with ad blurbs for the U.P. Trail and price on spine $1.50.
43
42
5
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters B-C (February 1928) and “First Edition” stated
26
43
32
1949
Harpers
Code letters D-Y (April 1949) and “First Edition” stated - Two variations on DJ - (1) Dust jacket has "The New 1949 Zane Grey Novel" sticker & (2) Dust jacket with "Christian Herald's Family Bookshelf Selection"
7
44
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Copyright (1923), code letters L-W (November 1922) and “First Edition” stated
47
45
28
1935
Publication Type: Book, Colliers Series, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Western, WJB Series
Harpers
Code letters M-K (December 1935) and “First Edition” stated
41
46
37
1950
Harpers
Code letters D-Z (April 1950) and “First Edition” stated
24
47
1923
Harpers
Copyright (1923), code letters I-X (September 1923) and “First Edition” stated. Larger editiion printing.
48
1903
Publication Type: Book, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Ohio River Trilogy, WJB Series
Charles Francis Press
Copyright (1903), no “Second Edition” on title page
2
49
1951
Harpers
Code letters F-A (June 1951) and “First Edition” stated
11
50
Harpers
Code letters B-B (February 1952) and “First Edition” not stated
5
51
Publication Type: Book, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Ohio River Trilogy, WJB Series
AL Burt Publishing
Copyright (1909), 52 Duane Street listed, 2 pages of ads
17
52
Publication Type: Book, First Editions, Great Western Series, Hardcover, Ohio River Trilogy, WJB Series
AL Burt Publishing
Copyright (1906), Burt's address listed as 52-58 Duane Street, four pages of advertisements
34
53
1953
Harpers
Code letters F-C (June 1953) and “First Edition” stated
53
54
1954
Harpers
Code letters H-D (August 1954) and “First Edition” stated
20
55
1955
Harpers
Code letters H-E (August 1955) and “First Edition” stated
54
56
Harpers
Code letters G-F (July 1956) and “First Edition” stated
55
57
1957
Harpers
No code letters, no mention of “First Edition”
56
58
1958
Harpers
Code letters H-H (August 1958) and “First Edition” stated
57
59
1959
Harpers
Code letters F-I (June 1959) and “First Edition” stated
58
60
Harpers
Code letters E-K (May 1960) and “First Edition” stated. Includes The Ranger, 1929; Avalanche, 1928; Canyon Walls, 1930; From Missouri, 1926
59
61
Harpers
Code letters I-L (September 1961) and “First Edition” stated. n addition to the previously unpublished title story, includes The Horse Thief, serialized in 1934 as Outlaws of Palouse, and Quaking Asp Cabin, 1954
60
62
1963
Harpers
Code letters G-N (July 1963) and “First Edition” stated. Note: Bluish gray cloth quarter bound in blue cloth, lettering in white.
61
63
Harpers
Code letters H-M (August 1912)
65
Publishers: Grosset & Dunlap, Walter J Black
Grossett & Dunlap
Three line script on spine “GROSSET/AND/DUNLAP”, tan cloth, orange letters outlined in black, no frontispiece, five pages of advertisements
66
Harpers
Copyright (1924), code letters B-Y (February 1924)
67
1909
AC McClurg
Copyright page states “Published June, 1909"
68
1910
Harpers
No code letters, copyright page states “Published October, 1910" at the center of the page
69
Harpers
No code letters, copyright page states “Published October 1911"
70
1911
Harpers
No code letters, copyright page states “Published March 1911"
71
1922
Harpers
Copyright (1922), code letters G-W (July 1922) and “First Edition” stated
72
1930
1977
Publishers: Walter J Black
Walter J Black
Walter J. Black, Roslyn, NY (1979), issued with glassine wrapper. Copyright page “WALTER J. BLACK, INC./COPYRIGHT 1979”
75
Disclaimer on Book Values
The ZGWS is has received many requests concerning the value of Walter J. Black Edition books. To gain a better understanding of the values of these books, we recommend that you contact a professional book dealer.
However, most of these titles in average condition can be purchased for $3 – $5 per book. The last 13 titles in the list can command higher prices, especially if they are in excellent condition. Books in mint condition with the rice paper cover are becoming very rare and command higher prices.
Several years ago, we had reports of complete sets of the 75 titles in mint condition still with the rice paper covers bringing in excess of $1000. We have also heard of mint copies of The Wolf Tracker and The Camp Robber bringing more than $100 each. However, over the past 5 years or so, values have dropped dramatically. We have heard of complete sets selling for only a few hundred dollars and now you can find copies of the two rarest titles for well under $100 each.
The ZGWS makes no guarantees or claims about the value of these books. We suggest that you not be disappointed when you are told that your Black Edition books are only worth $5 each. One suggestion is to check abebooks.com or ebay.com and see how similar books are selling there.