Mr. Pizza's Hardy Boys Forum

General Hardy Boys Discussion => General Hardy Boys Discussions => Topic started by: tomswift2002 on June 28, 2017, 11:00:23 PM

Title: Hardcover Price Comparisons By Decade
Post by: tomswift2002 on June 28, 2017, 11:00:23 PM
I thought this might be interesting, as I just recently got a copy of "Sky Sabotage" in hardcover with a Very Excellent Dust jacket.  It had a price of $8.95 (USD I'm assuming)on the front inside flap (the price was printed by Wanderer, it's not a sticker). 

According to my copies of the new versions of the first four books, the ones that were issued last Christmas, the 2016 price is $8.99.  "Attack Of The Bayport Beast" is $17.99.  (The Secret Files are $16.99 in hardcover) (All prices in USD) (I'm using the websit dollartimes.com for these calculations to 2017 dollars)

In 1927, according to "Ghost Of The Hardy Boys", the first three books in DJ were issued for $0.50.  That was $6.82 in 2017 dollars.

For the $1 box versions from 1962, the first PC year, it would equal $8.05 in 2017.

From 1976-1978 the price stayed at $2.50 (copies of the revised Skull Mountain and Crooked Arrow both have covers that list to Witchmasters Key, but order forms that list to to Firebird Rocket, and both the cover and order form list $2.50).  $2.50 in 1977 is equal to $10.37 ($10.88 based on the same price in 1976, $9.72 in 1978), in 2017.

In 1985 the price was $3.95 for the G&D books.  That's $9.06 in 2017.

$3.95 was in effect until May 31st, 1987.  That would be $8.63.
The price went up as of June 1st, 1987 (according to the order form in a flashlight edition of Secret Of the Caves from 1987, and the back cover) to $4.50.  That would be &9.83 now.

In 2005 the G&D price was $5.99.  That's $7.60 now.

In 1983 the DJ Wanderers were $8.95.  That's $22.14 now.

Title: Re: Hardcover Price Comparisons By Decade
Post by: MacGyver on June 29, 2017, 07:35:42 PM
Interesting indeed. Just for clarification, I assume this is in American dollars?
Title: Re: Hardcover Price Comparisons By Decade
Post by: tomswift2002 on June 29, 2017, 11:22:05 PM
Quote from: MacGyver on June 29, 2017, 07:35:42 PM
Interesting indeed. Just for clarification, I assume this is in American dollars?

Check the second paragraph.

Also just to fix something, the price in 1977 was actually $2.95, not $2.50, which means that in 1977 it would be equivalent to $12.24, 1976 $12.83 and 1978 $11.47.  The books probably were $2.50 in the early 70's, but they were $2.95 in the late 70's.
Title: Re: Hardcover Price Comparisons By Decade
Post by: MacGyver on July 02, 2017, 06:01:22 PM
Sorry- I missed that part.  :-[
Speaking of things I missed, Happy Canada Day!  :) 8)