estateRUTH.

Identification

In the Shelter of the Little Brown Cottage by Estella Wight, 1915

Photo reference

4 uploaded photos

Overview

The identification is definitively confirmed by the title page, which explicitly states the title, author, publisher, location (Lamoni, Iowa), and the publication year of 1915.

Story

Published in 1915 in Lamoni, Iowa, by the Board of Publication of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Estella Wight was a known author within this community, writing moral and religious fiction aimed at youth. The Lamoni imprint is historically significant as it was the headquarters of the RLDS church before its move to Independence, Missouri.

Maker / Origin

Board of Publication of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Condition & Value

The visible photos confirm the presence of the frontispiece and a generally intact binding. Assuming standard age-related wear without major hidden defects, it presents as a Good+ to Very Good copy. The book appears to be in very good condition with some light wear and minor fraying at the corners of the cloth cover.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

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

Market Analysis

The market for early 20th-century Midwestern denominational publishing is highly niche, driven primarily by institutional archives, specialized collectors of RLDS history, and descendants of the original communities. Demand is steady but low-volume, meaning items can sit on the market for extended periods before finding the right buyer. Condition and completeness are the primary differentiators between a $20 reading copy and an $80+ collector's copy.

Value Drivers

▲ Confirmed 1915 first edition Lamoni imprint appeals to niche RLDS collectors.

▲ Presence of the original frontispiece illustration.

▲ Intact cloth-over-boards binding with no visible severe structural damage.

Concerns

▼ Unverified copyright page — later printings or states could reduce the first-edition premium.

▼ Potential hidden condition issues like heavy foxing, detached pages, or cracked hinges.

Best Venue

For a steady sale, list the book at $50 to $60 on specialized antiquarian platforms or eBay, ensuring you use keywords like 'Lamoni', 'RLDS', and '1915 First Edition'. Include clear photos of the copyright page and all illustrations in your listing.

Upside Potential

If the book is confirmed to be a true first printing with all illustration plates securely attached, pristine pages free of foxing, and a tight, uncracked binding, it could realize the $85 to $95 retail ceiling seen in top-tier dealer asking prices.

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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.

  • Eborn Books
    His First Venture and The Sequel (Birth Offering Series No. 9) (1912) — by Estella Wight
    Different book by the same author.
    $80
  • Powerpoint Tribe
    A Vineyard Story/Estella Wight HC 1927 (Old RLDS)
    Different book by the same author.
    $20
  • Easy Chair Books
    In the Shelter of the Little Brown Cottage by Wight, estella: Fair Hardcover (1922)
    Link could not be verified.
    $18