Pennsylvania Dutch Dictionary Value Guide

This 1951 softcover dictionary, compiled by Edwin R. Danner, serves as a vital linguistic preservation of the Pennsylvania German dialect. Published by William Penn Senior High School in York, Pennsylvania, it remains a sought-after artifact for regional historians and linguists studying the evolution of Palatine German.

What Is Pennsylvania Dutch Dictionary Worth?

The typical price range for Pennsylvania Dutch Dictionary is $25 - $28 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Physical condition of the paper and cardstock, specifically looking for spine integrity and foxing.
• Presence of original owner inscriptions or school stamps from the York, PA area.
• Scarcity of the 1951 first printing compared to later linguistic reprints.
• Overall cleanliness of the ink and lack of significant dog-earing or moisture damage.

How to Identify Pennsylvania Dutch Dictionary?

• Verify the author name Edwin R. Danner is printed on the front cover or title page.
• Check for the 1951 publication date and the William Penn Senior High School imprint.
• Confirm the softcover binding is made of the original mid-century cardstock material.
• Look for the specific focus on the York, Pennsylvania regional dialect within the text.

History of Pennsylvania Dutch Dictionary

Published in 1951 by the William Penn Senior High School in York, Pennsylvania, this dictionary was compiled by Edwin R. Danner to preserve the local dialect. It serves as a linguistic record of the Pennsylvania German language, often referred to as Pennsylvania Dutch, which evolved from the Palatine German spoken by 17th and 18th-century immigrants.