The Color Purple
by Walker, Alice
The Color Purple is an acclaimed epistolary novel by
American author Alice Walker. Taking place mostly in rural Georgia, this
collection of letters weaves an intricate mosaic of women joined by their love
for each other, the men who abuse them, and the children they care for. In
this, The Color Purple focuses on black female life in the American South
during the 1930s, addressing the numerous issues including their exceedingly
low position in American social culture. The novel received the 1983 Pulitzer
Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award. Because of the explicit content,
particularly in terms of violence, The Color Purple has been a frequent target
of censors, appearing on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most
Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-1999.
First edition identification
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich first published The Color Purple
in New York in 1982. First editions state “First Edition” on the copyright page
along with “BCDE,” the publisher’s code.
Other Collectible or Notable Editions
In 1992, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt published a hardcover Tenth
Anniversary Edition of The Color Purple, which includes a new preface by the
author.
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Available Copies

The Color Purple
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- First US Edition/2nd Printing
- Published
- 1982
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0151191530
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Albany, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$80.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982. First US Edition/2nd Printing. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. Second Printing of the author's highly acclaimed novel with printing sequence 'BCDE' on copyright page and no statement of edition. In ivory boards with purple spine cloth and silver type. Vertical crease to spine which is very slightly cocked. Some small stains to bottom of front… Read more about this item Item Price
$80.00

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The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
- Condition
- Used - Near fine, former owner inscription on front free end papers; otherwise, a clean, strong and very nice copy.
- Jacket Condition
- Very good with some light wear and chipping to perimeter aspects of jacket.
- Edition
- Second Printing in a first state dust jacket
- Published
- 1982
- Binding
- Hardcover 8vo quarter bound with purple cloth spine and silver lettering, cream boards in an glossy illustrated dust jacket, 245
- ISBN 10
- 0151191530
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Ridgewood, New York, USA
- Item Price
-
$201.00
Show Details
Description:
New York City, NY & London, England: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, 1982. Second Printing in a first state dust jacket. Hardcover 8vo quarter bound with purple cloth spine and silver lettering, cream boards in an glossy illustrated dust jacket, 245 pp. Near fine, former owner inscription on front free end papers; otherwise, a clean, strong and very nice copy./Very… Read more about this item Item Price
$201.00

The Color Purple
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- Fair
- Edition
- First US Edition/First Printing
- Published
- 1982
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0151191530
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Albany, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$180.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982. First US Edition/First Printing. Hardcover. Good /Fair. A First Printing of the author's highly acclaimed novel with First Edition stated and with correct letter sequence BCDE on copyright page. In ivory boards with purple spine cloth and silver type(a little dulled). Corners still pretty sharp, though all dinged and/or split. Some… Read more about this item Item Price
$180.00
![The Color Purple: a novel [signed]](https://d3525k1ryd2155.cloudfront.net/h/062/886/847886062.0.m.0.jpg)
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The Color Purple: a novel [signed]
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used
- Published
- 1982
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0151191530
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Francisco, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$2,500.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982. 245p., signed by Walker on the title page, stated first edition with letters BCDE as called for by Zempel & Werkler, lightly shelfworn quarter-cloth boards in edgeworn unclipped dust jacket with original $11.95 price intact. True first of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel for 1983, signed. Item Price
$2,500.00

The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
- Condition
- Used - Very Good+
- Published
- 1982
- ISBN 10
- 0151191530
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
West Bountiful, Utah, USA
- Item Price
-
$24.32
Show Details
Description:
1982 paperback. In great condition and is unmarked. Item Price
$24.32

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The Color Purple: A Special 40th Anniversary Edition of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (Signed Anniversary Edition)
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- New
- Jacket Condition
- New
- Edition
- 1st Edition 1st Printing
- Published
- 2022
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
St Albans, Hertfordshire, GBR
- Item Price
-
$97.22
Show Details
Description:
London: W&N, 2022. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. New/New. 1st Printing. Signed to tip in page. Brand new copy.
Item Price
$97.22

THE COLOR PURPLE (Tenth Anniversary Edition} SIGNED
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First Thus Edition 1st Printing
- Published
- 1992
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0151191549
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Los Angeles, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$325.00
Show Details
Description:
New York, New York, U.S.A. : Harcourt Brace & Company, 1992. First Thus Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Signed by author on title page in black fountain ink. Finem first thus edition. Alice Walker's masterpiece, a powerful novel of courage in the face of oppression. Originally published in 1982, THE COLOR… Read more about this item Item Price
$325.00

The Color Purple
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0753818922
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$2.18
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Acceptable. Item Price
$2.18

THE COLOR PURPLE
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$5.86
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Good. Item Price
$5.86

The Color Purple
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1982
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0151191530
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
truth or consequences, New Mexico, USA
- Item Price
-
$2,400.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982. First Edition . Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. 245pp.; HB quarter-bound; white w/purple&silver; slight rub w/lt.wear on edges; lt.soil,foredge; clean,tight pgs. DJ palegray w/purple-pic.cover; slight rub. Walker's classic of two sisters in a period between the World Wars. laid in signed… Read more about this item Item Price
$2,400.00

The Color Purple
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- First edition
- Published
- 1982
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Item Price
-
$330.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich [1982], 1982. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo. [10], 3-245, [1] pp. Quarter purple cloth over cream paper-covered boards with silver lettering on the spine. First printing of the first edition in the correct dust jacket. Ahearn APG 012b. Walker's third novel, a powerful portrayal of deep family ties and of resilience… Read more about this item Item Price
$330.00

Color Purple, The
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- Not Applicable
- Edition
- Reprint
- Published
- 2004
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0753818922
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Buttaba, New South Wales, AUS
- Item Price
-
$5.02
Show Details
Description:
London, England: Phoenix Press, 2004. Book. Good. Soft cover. Reprint. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Medium softcover, reprint, 264gms, 262 pages. Book is in good condition with minor general wear and tear and moderate page discolouration/spotting thoughout, otherwise no other pre-loved markings.. Item Price
$5.02

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The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First hardcover, first printing
- Published
- 1086
- Binding
- Blue cloth and silvert titles
- ISBN 10
- 0704350165
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Kington, Herefordshire, GBR
- Item Price
-
$135.00
Show Details
Description:
This is the first hardcover printing (1986) issued by the Woman's Press, a feminist publishing house of London. A powerful novel in the recognition of identity and feminist literature. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1963 and the basis for the Stephen Spielberg film.The book is fine except for a hint of aging to the topedge of… Read more about this item Item Price
$135.00

The Color Purple
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First American Edition
- Published
- 1982
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
SANTA BARBARA, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$630.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich, 1982. Winner of both the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize. Basis for excellent film. Bookplate on front endpaper applied with glue, else fine. Jacket is bright and fresh with short crease and tiny wrinkle on back panel. First edition stated then B C D E on copyright page. .… Read more about this item Item Price
$630.00

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The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 1992-05-22
- ISBN 10
- 0151191549
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Spring Branch, Texas, USA
- Item Price
-
$60.00
Show Details
Description:
VG. Jacket in mylar, 1st printing thus. Price clip, remainder mark Item Price
$60.00

The Color Purple
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Fine copy; appears to be unread; previous owner's name signed to top edge of inside cover; faintest edgewear from age; o/w spine
- Edition
- 1st Washington Square Press; Pocket Books
- Published
- 1983
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0671458531
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Oakland, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$41.00
Show Details
Description:
New York, 1983. 1st Washington Square Press; Pocket Books. Paperback. Fine copy; appears to be unread; previous owner's name signed to top edge of inside cover; faintest edgewear from age; o/w spine hinge is not creased; wrappers and pages are clean, bright and free of marks and creases.. Octavo in white wrappers; 253 pages; 22 cm. In English.… Read more about this item Item Price
$41.00

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The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- 1st edition
- Published
- 1982
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
College Station, Texas, USA
- Item Price
-
$152.95
Show Details
Description:
VERY GOOD+ — DUST JACKET: Minor wear to top and bottom edges of spine, panels, folds and flaps. BOARDS: Very good condition. No issues. BOOK: Very good condition. No issues. Please inspect photos closely for condition details.
Here on offer is an excellent copy of Alice Walker's award-winning novel, The Color Purple, recipient of both the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction… Read more about this item Item Price
$152.95

The Color Purple (Signed)
by WALKER, Alice
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- Fourth Impression
- Published
- 1982
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0151191530
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Springtown, Pennsylvania, USA
- Item Price
-
$1,275.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Harcourt Brace & World, 1982. Bound in purple cloth over white boards. Endpapers professionally restored and book tightened. (slight bumping to one corner). Dust jacket is in great condition, just shows a hint of rubbing to bottom edge. A tight, clean copy of the fourth impression of the first edition (with "DE" on the bottom… Read more about this item Item Price
$1,275.00

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The Color Purple
by Walker, Alice
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1983
- Binding
- Trade Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0671526022
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Edmonton, Alberta, CAN
- Item Price
-
$50.95
Show Details
Description:
Washington Square, 1983. Trade Paperback. New. New - May Have Minor Shelf Wear To Edges. - For More Information On Condition. Please See All Photos. - Life Wasn't Easy For Celie. But She Knew How To Survive, Needing Little To Get By. Then Her Husband's Lover, A Flamboyant Blues Singer, Barreled Into Her World And… Read more about this item Item Price
$50.95

The Color Purple
by Alice Walker
- Condition
- Used - Very Good. Signed by owner
- Edition
- First Washington Square Press
- Published
- 1983
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0671458531
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Barrington, Illinois, USA
- Item Price
-
$2.99
Show Details
Description:
Washington Square Press, 1983. First Washington Square Press. Paperback. Very Good. Signed by owner. Item Price
$2.99