Is a Signed First Edition of Girl with Curious Hair Worth Buying?

Girl with Curious Hair (1989, W.W. Norton) is Wallace's first story collection — the book that established his reputation as a master of the short form. The collection includes pieces that remain among his most anthologized work. As a Norton first edition, it had a modest print run that makes first printings genuinely scarce.

Signed copies are uncommon because the book appeared before Wallace's fame with Infinite Jest. Collectors who acquire signed copies of this title are securing an increasingly scarce artifact from his early career.

First printings are identified by the Norton imprint and the appropriate number line. Dust jacket condition matters significantly. Signed copies typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on condition and inscription quality.

This title is sometimes overlooked in favor of Infinite Jest, which may create value opportunities for collectors who recognize its significance as his debut collection.