This first edition copy of Joel Chandler Harris' "On the Plantation: A Story of a Georgia Boy's Adventures During the War," fetched $620 at Britannic Auctions in 2022.
Published in 1892 by D. Appleton, this book offers readers a window into the New South, immersing them in the adventures of a Georgia boy amidst the backdrop of the Civil War. "On the Plantation" is a mostly autobiographical work by Harris, a New South journalist and folklorist who presents the unique southern African American dialect in this book.
Presented in its original publisher's pictorial cloth, this first edition is complete with original advertisements at the back, including an ad for Uncle Remus. The book's inclusion of these original advertisements adds to its auction value as the presence (or absence) of such advertisements can help to authenticate the book's edition.
Joel Chandler Harris Books: An Author's Legacy
Joel Chandler Harris (1848-1908) was a journalist, folklorist, and author who left a significant mark on Southern literature. His works captured the essence of Southern culture, particularly through the Uncle Remus stories that introduced characters like Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox, and Br’er Bear. These tales, rooted in African American folklore and dialect, gained widespread recognition for their cultural and historical importance.
In addition to Uncle Remus, Harris authored several other notable works, including Nights with Uncle Remus (1883), Daddy Jake, the Runaway: And Short Stories Told After Dark by 'Uncle Remus' (1889), and Tales of the Home Folks in Peace and War (1898). These books further reflect his role in preserving Southern oral traditions through written storytelling.
In recognition of his work, Harris received numerous awards and honors, including an honorary master's degree from Emory College in 1902. Additionally, his legacy lives on through the Joel Chandler Harris House in Atlanta, Georgia, which serves as a museum dedicated to preserving his memory and showcasing his work.
Collectibility and Auction Values of Joel Chandler Harris Books
Joel Chandler Harris’ books left a lasting impact on Southern literature, and while Uncle Remus is hands-down his most famous work, On the Plantation is a gem in its own right. Harris wrote several Uncle Remus books, starting with Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings in 1880. He followed up with Nights with Uncle Remus in 1883 and Uncle Remus and His Friends in 1892, among others. These books brought African American folklore to life and showcased storytelling traditions that were central to Southern culture.
Back in the early 2000s, first edition Uncle Remus books were selling very well, with fine copies going for $2,000 to $5,000 at auction. But like anything collectible, values shift with time. Over the last decade, those numbers have dropped quite a bit. These days, you’ll find first editions selling for a few hundred dollars to a thousand or so, depending on their condition and history.
Now, On the Plantation might not be as well-known as Uncle Remus, but collectors still value it for its semi-autobiographical look at life in the South after the Civil War.
Here are some real-world auction results for other copies of On the Plantation:
- Christie's (1988): A later edition (1899) in original mustard cloth sold for $825.
- Heritage Auctions (2025): A first edition from 1892 fetched $375.
- Schilb Antiquarian (2022): Another 1892 first edition sold for $250, illustrating steady collector interest in Harris' works.
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