Paint with Water Coloring Book Value Guide

Vintage Whitman: Paint With Water, Silly Monsters & Elves' Boat Race | eBay
Paint with Water Coloring Book
Estimated Value
$10 – $20
Period
1970s-1980s
Origin
United States
Materials
Paper, ink

This vintage 'Paint with Water' coloring book featuring 'The Elves' Boat Race' is a nostalgic relic of mid-to-late 20th-century childhood play. Published by Merrigold Press, a division of Western Publishing, these books are highly collectible for their unique ink technology that reveals vibrant colors using only a wet paintbrush.

What Is Paint with Water Coloring Book Worth?

The typical price range for Paint with Water Coloring Book is $10 - $20 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

  • Condition of the pages, specifically ensuring they are unused and have not been previously 'painted' with water.
  • The presence of the original cover art without significant fading, creases, or tears.
  • Completeness of the book, including all original activity pages and the binding integrity.
  • Nostalgic demand for specific Merrigold Press titles from the 1970s-1980s era.

How to Identify Paint with Water Coloring Book?

  • Verify the Merrigold Press publisher logo, typically associated with Western Publishing Company.
  • Check for the specific 'The Elves' Boat Race' cover art and title consistent with 1970s and 1980s aesthetic.
  • Ensure the pages contain the characteristic textured ink dots designed to dissolve and spread when moistened.
  • Look for the 'Printed in the USA' origin mark on the inner or back cover.

History of Paint with Water Coloring Book

Paint with Water books were a popular children's activity in the mid to late 20th century. These books contained pages printed with special designs that, when brushed with a wet paintbrush, would reveal colors without the need for traditional paints. Merrigold Press, a division of Western Publishing, was a prominent publisher of children's books and activity books, including many 'Paint with Water' titles, making them a common and cherished item for generations of children.

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