The Tombs of Atuan (1971) Signed First Edition Reference

The Tombs of Atuan shifts the Earthsea series to a new protagonist — Tenar, a young woman consecrated to the service of the Nameless Ones in a vast underground labyrinth. Published by Atheneum in 1971, the novel earned a Newbery Honor and is one of Le Guin’s most psychologically intense works. When Ged enters the labyrinth seeking a lost artifact, Tenar must choose between her role as priestess and her desire for freedom.

First Edition Identification

Publisher: Atheneum, New York Publication date: 1971 Format: Hardcover in dust jacket

Signed Copy Market Values

• Signed first edition, fine/fine: $500–$1,500
• Unsigned first edition: $50–$150

The Newbery Honor status and the novel’s position in the Earthsea cycle ensure sustained collector interest. The shift to a female protagonist was radical for fantasy in 1971.