Gunn's Domestic Medicine Value Guide

First published in 1830 by Dr. John C. Gunn in Knoxville, Tennessee, this guide was a vital resource for American settlers lacking access to professional doctors. It is highly collectible for its unique blend of 19th-century folk remedies and early botanical medical knowledge tailored for the rural frontier.

What Is Gunn's Domestic Medicine Worth?

The typical price range for Gunn's Domestic Medicine is $135 - $150 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the leather binding, specifically looking for intact spines and minimal cracking.
• The presence of all original pages, as these working manuals often suffered from heavy use and missing leaves.
• The specific edition and printing year, with the earliest 1830 Knoxville editions commanding the most interest.
• Provenance or historical inscriptions from early American families that used the book as their primary medical resource.

How to Identify Gunn's Domestic Medicine?

• Check for the original leather or vellum binding typical of early 1830s American publishing.
• Verify the title page attributes the work to Dr. John C. Gunn and mentions the Knoxville, Tennessee origin.
• Look for specific sections detailing the use of native North American plants and herbs for domestic treatment.
• Examine the paper quality for foxing and age-appropriate wear consistent with early 19th-century production.

History of Gunn's Domestic Medicine

First published in 1830 by Dr. John C. Gunn in Knoxville, Tennessee, this book was designed to provide medical advice to settlers in rural America who lacked access to professional physicians. It became one of the most popular medical handbooks of the century, blending folk remedies with professional medical knowledge and focusing on the use of native plants.