The Julio Cortázar First Edition Collector's Guide

Julio Cortázar (1914–1984) is the Argentine writer whose novel Hopscotch (Rayuela, 1963) redefined what a novel could be, and whose short stories — “Blow-Up,” “The Night Face Up,” “Axolotl” — are among the most inventive and influential in any language. Cortázar’s combination of formal experimentation, jazz-inflected prose, and deep engagement with both Latin American and European culture made him a uniquely cosmopolitan figure within the Boom.

Key Titles

• Hopscotch (Rayuela, 1963 / English 1966) — The Cortázar trophy.
• Blow-Up and Other Stories (English: Pantheon, 1967) — Contains the story behind Antonioni’s film.
• The Winners (Los premios, 1960 / English 1965) — His first novel.
• 62: A Model Kit (62/Modelo para armar, 1968 / English 1972)
• A Manual for Manuel (Libro de Manuel, 1973 / English 1978)

Signed Copy Market Values

Cortázar died in 1984. Signed copies are scarce.

• Signed Rayuela Spanish first: $1,000–$3,000
• Signed Hopscotch English first: $300–$800
• Signed story collections: $100–$300