AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a hardcover medical and educational textbook titled 'Applied Physiology: Including the Effects of Alcohol and Narcotics,' authored by Frank Overton, A.M., M.D., and published by the American Book Company (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago). The title page indicates this is an 'Advanced Grade' edition. Across the frontispiece is a notable early X-ray photograph (roentgenogram) captioned 'Bones in the hand and wrist,' demonstrating the late 19th or early 20th-century origins of the book, likely dating between 1897 and 1910. The paper stock appears to be a heavy, cream-colored wood-pulp paper with a matte finish. Construction features a typical sewn binding of the era with a cloth-covered board, visible in green or grey-blue at the edges. Noted condition includes slight yellowing and foxing consistent with age, minor smudging on the lower right of the title page, and visible wear/fraying on the spine and corners of the cover. The typography is a classic Victorian-style serif, and the inclusion of early radiology as a frontispiece suggests it was a contemporary scientific work for its time, intended for higher education or normal school instruction.

Based on my examination of Frank Overton’s 'Applied Physiology: Including the Effects of Alcohol and Narcotics,' this volume is a definitive example of a late 19th-century educational textbook. Published by the American Book Company circa 1897-1900, the work reflects the Victorian-era intersection of medical science and social reform, specifically the temperance movement's influence on school curriculum. The inclusion of an early X-ray frontispiece is particularly notable, as Roentgen's discovery only occurred in 1895, making this a very early pedagogical application of radiology. Condition-wise, the book shows expected age-related wear. The visible fraying at the spine and corners of the cloth-covered boards, combined with foxing and mild smudging on the title page, would categorize this copy as 'Good' to 'Very Good' by antiquarian standards. The binding appears structurally sound, though common wood-pulp acidification is present in the paper stock. Modern market demand for these textbooks is primarily driven by medical historians and collectors of Temperance-era ephemera. While not exceptionally rare—as these were mass-produced for school districts—the presence of the early radiological plate provides a premium over standard physiology texts of the decade. Limitations: This appraisal is based on photographic evidence. A final determination of value requires a physical inspection to check for page completeness, hidden mold, or brittle hinges. I would also need to verify the exact copyright date (usually 1897 or 1898) and ensure no modern facsimiles are present. Provenance documentation, such as institutional bookplates or signatures of notable physicians, could potentially increase the valuation toward the higher end of the range.