Katherine
Anya Seton
📚 Genre
Historical Fiction / Biographical Fiction
🏢 Publisher
Houghton Mifflin Company - Boston
📅 Publication Year
1954
🔢 ISBN
0395081691 (for 1954 Houghton Mifflin edition)
About This Book
A classic of historical fiction, 'Katherine' tells the story of Katherine Swynford and her love affair with John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, in 14th-century England. This relationship eventually led to the legitimization of the Beaufort line, from which the Tudor dynasty descended. The inner page shown features a simple serif typeface and a line-art illustration of a woman in medieval-style dress.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
588
Edition
Likely First Edition (or early printing)
Series
Standalone novel
Target Audience
Adult
Collector Information
Condition
Good to Very Good. The interior pages show typical age-toning (yellowing) and a faint damp stain or smudge on the right-hand page, but the binding appears intact.
Estimated Value
$25.00 - $75.00 (Note: Values can exceed $200.00 if a Fine condition original dust jacket is present; internal page only suggests a standard early copy value.)
Rarity
Uncommon. While the book was a bestseller and many copies were printed, finding early Houghton Mifflin hardcovers in high-quality condition without library markings is becoming more difficult.
Historical Significance
Regarded as one of the finest examples of historical fiction ever written, it is credited with revitalizing interest in the Plantagenet era and Katherine Swynford herself.
Collector Notes
Collectors should look for the presence of the original dust jacket (illustrated by Vera Bock) to maximize value. Check the copyright page for 'First Printing' or lack of subsequent printing dates to confirm first-edition status. Keep in acid-free conditions to prevent further yellowing of the paper stock.
Similar Books
Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor, Desirée by Annemarie Selinko, The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman
Notable Features
Includes internal line illustrations; highly regarded for its meticulous historical research. A true first edition would be dated 1954 on the title page or mentioned on the copyright page.