How Much Does A Used Copy Of The Iliad Hardback Sell For?

If you're hunting for a used hardback of 'Iliad', here's the down-to-earth run-down I usually give friends who ask me to snag one: prices swing wildly depending on which translation, what publisher, how old the copy is, and whether it has a dust jacket or any markings. For a common modern translation hardback — think Robert Fagles, Richmond Lattimore, or Robert Fitzgerald — you’ll typically see used copies listed between $10 and $40. College textbook-condition copies or ex-library editions can drop into the single digits, while well-kept hardbacks with intact dust jackets often sit around $25–$60. If you want a working-class reading copy to actually keep on the shelf and annotate, you can usually score a decent one for under $30 if you shop patiently.

If you’re after something a bit fancier, prices climb. Loeb Classical Library hardbacks (the green/white bilingual editions) are popular and tend to hold value — used Loebs often run $20–$100 depending on scarcity, volume, and condition. Illustrated or limited editions, older Victorian-era translations, or first editions can be considerably pricier: anything from $100 to several hundred dollars, and truly rare antique bindings or signed copies can push into the thousands. So, if you stumble onto a leather-bound 19th-century 'Iliad' at a flea market for $50, that could be a steal — but authenticity, condition, and demand all matter. Dust jackets, inscriptions, foxing, and library stamps are the small details that eat into value, so look carefully at photos or inspect in person.

Where I personally go hunting: eBay (check sold listings for realistic prices), AbeBooks and Alibris for used and rare listings, BookFinder to compare across marketplaces, and local used bookstores or university bookstore sales. ThriftBooks can have surprisingly good deals if you don’t mind a reading-worn copy. My tip is to always note the ISBN and translation, examine photos closely for tears, water damage, or heavy annotations, and search for completed sales rather than current listings — that’s the best way to gauge what people actually paid. If you’re flexible on translation, set alerts for a couple of translators you like and be patient; I once snagged a very nice Lattimore hardback for $18 after two weeks of watching listings. Also, don’t forget to factor in shipping and possible customs if buying from abroad.

Bottom line: for a usable modern hardback expect roughly $10–$40; for Loebs, illustrated, or older collectible copies expect $50–$500+ depending on rarity and condition. I always try to imagine the copy in my hands — the heft of the paper, whether the dust jacket has that faint sun-fade across the spine — and that usually helps me decide how much I’m willing to spend. If you want, tell me the translation or edition you’re looking at and I’ll help you eyeball whether the price seems fair.