Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
A rare first edition of a 'Restoration fiction' morality novel, published by the RLDS Church (now Community of Christ) during their influential Lamoni era. The book features a charming pictorial cloth cover and a frontispiece illustration typical of early 20th-century juvenile and religious literature.
Story
Published in 1915 in Lamoni, Iowa, this book was a cornerstone of 'Restoration fiction,' designed to teach moral values to RLDS youth. Estella Wight, the author, was a key figure in church publishing, serving as managing editor of the 'Saints' Herald.' It represents a unique moment when a religious community built its own literary world.
Maker / Origin
Estella Wight was a prominent editor and author within the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She was instrumental in shaping the church's literary output for children and families, often working alongside Marietta Walker to produce periodicals and books that defined the community's cultural identity in the early 1900s.
Condition & Value
The cover shows typical age-toning and minor soiling consistent with its 100+ year age. The binding appears stable, and the internal pages shown are remarkably clean without the heavy foxing often seen in books from this period. Condition is 'Good to Very Good' for its age.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.