A Peculiar Treasure Value Guide

A Peculiar Treasure (1939) by Edna Ferber: Very Good ...
A Peculiar Treasure
Estimated Value
$75 – $85
Period
1939
Origin
United States
Materials
Paper, cardboard, cloth, ink

This 1939 first edition autobiography offers a profound look into the life of Edna Ferber, a Pulitzer Prize-winning member of the Algonquin Round Table. It is highly collectible for its historical commentary on American Jewish identity and the looming threat of anti-Semitism in Europe during the late 1930s.

What Is A Peculiar Treasure Worth?

The typical price range for A Peculiar Treasure is $75 - $85 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 can drive the price toward the $85 high end.
  • Overall structural integrity, including the crispness of the cloth binding and lack of foxing on the paper.
  • Provenance or signatures, as copies owned by other Algonquin Round Table members command a premium.
  • The scarcity of well-preserved copies that have not suffered from typical age-related cardboard degradation.

How to Identify A Peculiar Treasure?

  • Verify the 1939 publication date on the title page and copyright page to ensure first edition status.
  • Check for the original cloth binding and cardboard covers typical of United States production in the late 30s.
  • Look for the presence of the original dust jacket, which significantly impacts the book's authenticity and presentation.
  • Confirm the publisher's imprint matches the known first printing houses for Ferber's works in 1939.

History of A Peculiar Treasure

Published in 1939, this autobiography by Edna Ferber recounts her life as a Jewish woman in America and her rise to literary fame. Ferber was a member of the Algonquin Round Table and wrote legendary works like Show Boat and Cimarron. The book is notable for its exploration of American identity and the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe during the late 1930s.

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