A Child's Book of Prayers Value Guide

First published in 1941, this hardcover book is a quintessential example of mid-century American nursery literature. It is highly collectible due to the ethereal, soft-focus illustrations by Maria Simchow Steiner, the artist famously known as Masha.

What Is A Child's Book of Prayers Worth?

The typical price range for A Child's Book of Prayers is $25 - $28 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence and condition of the original dust jacket significantly impacts the $25-$28 price range.
• Overall physical condition, specifically looking for foxing on the paper or fraying of the cloth spine.
• The edition year, with earlier printings from the 1941-1947 era generally holding more collector interest.
• Absence of personal inscriptions, crayon marks, or typical nursery wear and tear common in children's books.

How to Identify A Child's Book of Prayers?

• Check the title page for the artist name 'Masha' and the original 1941 copyright date.
• Look for the signature ethereal, pastel-toned illustrations with soft-focus edges characteristic of Maria Simchow Steiner.
• Verify the construction materials consist of a cloth-bound spine with cardboard covers and heavy paper pages.
• Confirm the publisher is typically Random House or a similar mid-century American house associated with the 1941-1947 printings.

History of A Child's Book of Prayers

First published in 1941, this book became a staple of mid-century American nurseries. It is renowned for the ethereal, soft-focus illustrations by Maria Simchow Steiner, known professionally as Masha. Her distinctive style defined a generation of religious and holiday children's literature during the 1940s and 1950s.