King James Bible Red Letter Edition Value Guide

This 1920s-era Red Letter Edition is a significant piece of American religious history, popularized by Louis Klopsch's 1899 innovation of printing Christ's words in red. As a specialized Sunday School Teacher's Edition, it serves as a scholarly artifact containing extensive concordances and self-pronouncing dictionaries from the early 20th century.

What Is King James Bible Red Letter Edition Worth?

The typical price range for King James Bible Red Letter Edition is $40 - $45 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the leather binding, specifically looking for minimal cracking or 'red rot' common in 1920s volumes.
• The preservation of the gold gilt on the page edges and the clarity of the red-letter printing.
• Completeness of the supplemental materials, including all maps, dictionaries, and teacher's aids.
• The presence of any unique provenance or well-preserved family records sections that remain unmarked.

How to Identify King James Bible Red Letter Edition?

• Check for the distinctive red-letter text specifically used for the words of Jesus throughout the New Testament.
• Verify the presence of a 'Sunday School Teacher's Edition' designation on the title page or cover.
• Look for authentic period materials including genuine leather binding and gold gilt edges on the pages.
• Confirm the inclusion of scholarly supplements like the self-pronouncing dictionary and comprehensive concordance.

History of King James Bible Red Letter Edition

The Red Letter Edition originated in 1899 when Louis Klopsch, then editor of The Christian Herald, conceived the idea of printing the words of Jesus in red. This particular 1926-era edition was a popular scholarly resource for Sunday School teachers, featuring extensive concordances and self-pronouncing dictionaries.