Bird Guide Land Birds East of the Rockies Value Guide

This vintage pocket-sized field guide by Chester A. Reed revolutionized nature study as one of the first color-illustrated guides designed for field use. Published between 1912 and 1925, it remains a foundational piece of North American birdwatching history and early 20th-century environmental education.

What Is Bird Guide Land Birds East of the Rockies Worth?

The typical price range for Bird Guide Land Birds East of the Rockies is $20 - $22 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the spine and binding, as these were frequently used outdoors and are prone to wear.
• The presence of the original dust jacket, which is rare for field guides of this era and significantly increases value.
• The specific printing year between 1912 and 1925, with earlier editions often commanding higher interest.
• Internal cleanliness, specifically the absence of foxing or handwritten field notes from previous owners.

How to Identify Bird Guide Land Birds East of the Rockies?

• Check for the author name Chester A. Reed and the specific title 'Land Birds East of the Rockies' on the cover.
• Verify the presence of full-color illustrations on nearly every page, a hallmark of Reed's pioneering design.
• Confirm the dimensions are approximately 3 by 5 inches, designed specifically to fit into a field coat pocket.
• Look for the publisher information, often Doubleday, Page & Co., which handled many of these early editions.

History of Bird Guide Land Birds East of the Rockies

First published in the early 1900s, Chester A. Reed's guides revolutionized nature study by being the first color-illustrated pocket field guides. They were designed to be carried into the field, allowing enthusiasts to identify birds in their natural habitats. This specific series became a staple for the early birdwatching community in North America.