The Clan of the Cave Bear: Jean M. Auel 1980 First Edition Hardcover

The first book in Jean M. Auel's Earth's Children series—a groundbreaking prehistoric novel following Ayla, a human girl raised by a Neanderthal clan in Ice Age Europe.

This is the novel that launched one of the bestselling series in publishing history, a gripping blend of historical detail, character depth, and the story of a girl finding her place in a world that fears her difference.

Details

• Item: Hardcover fiction novel
• Title: The Clan of the Cave Bear
• Author: Jean M. Auel
• Publisher: Crown Publishers, Inc.
• Year: 1980
• Edition/Printing: First edition, first printing
• Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
• Dust Jacket: Present, shows vibrant green and yellow botanical landscape with mammoth hunter artwork
• Pages: 497 pages
• Size: 8.5 x 6 inches
• Special Features: Dedication page reads "For RAY—My worst critic and best friend"

Condition Grade: Very Good

Positives

• Boards are solid and binding is secure, no loose pages
• Interior text is clean and readable throughout
• Dust jacket is present with vibrant original colors
• No odor or musty smell

Issues / Wear

• Yellow staining visible on page ends (top and side edges) consistent with age
• Dust jacket shows edge yellowing and minor wear consistent with 45 years of handling
• Light shelf wear to boards, no tears or significant damage

See all photos for detail — sold as pictured.

Condition Grade Key

• Near Fine: Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.
• Very Good: Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.
• Good: Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.
• Fair: Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.

Collector's Notes

This 1980 first edition is the book that started the Earth's Children phenomenon—Auel's debut novel that revolutionized historical fiction by centering a female protagonist in a richly imagined prehistoric world.

It belongs with readers who love immersive historical settings, character-driven stories, and books with real staying power on the shelf. The kind of novel people keep and reread, not just once but again years later when they want to revisit that world.

The yellow staining on the page ends is honest age, not a flaw—it's the mark of a book that's been read and loved, stored with care, and kept all these years because it mattered.

This is the beginning of the series: the book that makes readers understand why four decades later, the Earth's Children novels still sell steadily and collectors still search for the original edition.

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Disclaimer

All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description. 

Care and Handling:
Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings.