A Peculiar Treasure Value Guide

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 affects the value of A Peculiar Treasure?

• 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.