A first edition of The Secret Adversary, initially sold for 37p, could now fetch as much as £80,000 if it retains its original dust jacket.
Without the dust jacket, the value drops significantly to £5,000, demonstrating a 16-fold increase in value attributed to the preservation of the original cover.
The novel, first published in 1922, introduces Christie’s well-known characters Tommy Beresford and Tuppence Cowley.
The story follows the two characters who, struggling financially, set up a venture called Young Adventurers Ltd., taking on any job for a price.
The Secret Adversary was Christie’s second novel and saw more commercial success than her debut, The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
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The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie (Image: Wikipedia Commons)
However, it is important to note that a first edition of The Mysterious Affair at Styles, if in “very good” condition and with its original dust jacket, could be worth up to £100,000 today.
Mike Lane, CEO and co-founder of WeBuyBooks, highlighted the significant value that the dust jacket holds.
He said: “We’ve seen families keep the book but bin the cover without realising it held most of the value.”
Christie is a renowned author in the murder mystery genre, with 66 novels to her name.
Her debut novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, set the standard, introducing the world to the famous detective Hercule Poirot.
The potential value of these novels could provide a reason for book lovers and families to carefully check their collections for hidden treasures.
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