estateRUTH.

Identification

1879 'Negerslaven Peculiar' by Epes Sargent, Translated by Hermod Alffson, Published by John Anderson & Co.

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

The title page provides definitive identification, explicitly stating the title ('Negerslaven Peculiar'), author (Epes Sargent), translator (Hermod Alffson), publisher (John Anderson & Co., Chicago), and publication year (1879).

Story

This edition was published by John Anderson & Co. (Skandinaven's Boghandel) in Chicago, a premier publisher for the Scandinavian immigrant community in the American Midwest during the late 19th century. The book is a Norwegian-Danish translation of Epes Sargent's 1864 anti-slavery novel, reflecting the political and cultural engagement of the immigrant population post-Civil War. A handwritten 1882 ownership inscription adds a layer of contemporary historical provenance.

Maker / Origin

John Anderson & Co.

Condition & Value

Based on the single visible title page, there is significant foxing, edge wear, and signs of binding stress. The condition of the exterior binding (boards, spine) and the completeness of the text block remain entirely unverified.

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 late 19th-century immigrant press literature is highly specialized, appealing primarily to academic institutions, historical societies, and niche collectors of Scandinavian-Americana. While Civil War-era literature has a broader collector base, translated editions usually see lower demand than original English first editions unless they represent a significant cultural milestone. Sales in this category are often slow, requiring patience to find the right institutional or specialized buyer, with condition playing a major role in final realized prices.

Value Drivers

▲ Definitive 1879 John Anderson & Co. Chicago imprint confirms its status as authentic Scandinavian-Americana.

▲ Thematic crossover between American Civil War literature and immigrant cultural history broadens institutional appeal.

▲ 1882 contemporary ownership inscription adds historical character.

Concerns

▼ Unverified binding condition — missing or detached boards would drop the estimate to the $20-$30 reading-copy floor.

▼ Unverified text block completeness — missing pages would severely impact collectibility.

▼ Visible heavy foxing and edge wear on the title page indicate likely pervasive interior condition issues.

Best Venue

List on specialized antiquarian book platforms (like AbeBooks) or eBay with a highly descriptive title targeting 'Scandinavian Americana' and 'Immigrant Press'. Before listing, carefully collate the book to ensure all pages are present and photograph the binding and spine. Price optimistically at $75 with 'Best Offer' enabled, expecting to settle near $40-$50 if the binding is intact.

Upside Potential

If the binding is in its original, well-preserved publisher's cloth with intact hinges, and the text block is confirmed complete, the item could reach or slightly exceed the $75 high-end to a specialized institutional buyer.

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Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 9 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.

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