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Identification

1899 Bradford's History "Of Plimoth Plantation"

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

The title page explicitly identifies the book as 'Bradford's History "Of Plimoth Plantation"', printed in Boston by Wright & Potter Printing Co., State Printers, in 1899.

Story

William Bradford's manuscript is the foundational text of the Plymouth Colony. After being lost for over a century and discovered in London, the original manuscript was returned to Massachusetts in 1897. Wright & Potter, the official State Printers of Massachusetts, produced these editions starting in 1898 to commemorate the manuscript's return, making them historically significant early public editions.

Maker / Origin

Wright & Potter Printing Co.

Condition & Value

Currently, only the title page is visible, which appears intact, clean, and legible. Because photos of the exterior boards, spine, and text block are missing, a full condition assessment cannot be made.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for early printings of Bradford's History is stable but niche, appealing primarily to New England historians, genealogists, and institutional collectors. Copies printed by the State Printers (Wright & Potter) between 1898 and 1901 are relatively common in the antiquarian trade. Because buyers have options, they tend to prioritize condition, leaving standard reading copies to move reliably in the sub-$100 range while premium prices are reserved for exceptional bindings.

Value Drivers

▲ Exact 1899 Wright & Potter printing confirms early state-issued edition status.

▲ Foundational historical text with steady, predictable demand from New England historians.

▲ Retail comps for 1898-1901 printings show a tight, reliable cluster between $60 and $90.

Concerns

▼ Unverified exterior condition — detached boards or heavy spine wear would drop the value to the $30-$40 reading-copy floor.

▼ Unverified text block — missing plates, torn pages, or severe foxing would limit collector appeal.

Best Venue

Provide clear photos of the front cover, spine, and any interior illustrations to confirm the book's physical condition. Once verified, this is best suited for a fixed-price listing on platforms like eBay or AbeBooks (if a registered dealer) with a target price of $65-$85. Highlight the '1899 Wright & Potter' imprint in the listing title to attract specific collectors of Massachusetts state history.

Upside Potential

If the book features a pristine original binding, exceptional provenance (such as an important historical bookplate), or is accompanied by related ephemera from the 1897 manuscript return ceremonies, the value could push past the $100 mark into the $135+ range seen in high-end retail listings.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 3 comps

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • Terrace Horticultural Books
    Bradford's History " Of Plimoth Plantation" from the Original Manuscript.
    Excerpt describes a completely different book ('By Bread Alone' by Lester R. Brown).
    $99
  • Claydon Auctioneers· 2026-04-26
    Book: Bradford's History 'Of Plimoth Plantation'
    Sale on record but hammer price not published.
    No price
  • viaLibri
    Bradford's History 'Of Plimoth Plantation.' From the Original Manuscript... The Honorable George F. Hoar s personal copy, Copy #1 of only 15 copies printed on handmade paper.
    Sale on record but hammer price not published.
    No price