AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a horizontal rectangular paper receipt dated December 30, 1941. The document is printed on off-white, slightly aged paper featuring a decorative black border composed of linked circular motifs. On the left side, there is a prominent, detailed engraving of a bald eagle perched atop an American flag, symbolizing institutional or patriotic association. To the right of the eagle is a faint, embossed corporate or organizational seal. The receipt is pre-printed with 'Received of' in ornate cursive script. It records a payment of $103.75 from a 'Mrs. Dorothy Jinn' (or similar) for 'Perpetual Care' related to 'John Lindsay Lot, No. 748'. The form is signed by 'H. P. Steinbach, Exec. Secr.' The paper shows moderate signs of age, including light yellowing, several vertical fold lines (one significant fold through the center), and a small physical puncture or foxing spot near the center upper section. The left edge appears to have been perforated and torn from a ledger book. The handwriting is in black ink and is consistent with the mid-20th-century cursive style. The lower left corner bears a small printer's mark: 'Goebon 754 U.S. Bond'.

I have virtually examined this 1941 Cemetery Perpetual Care receipt. The document exhibits characteristics consistent with mid-20th-century funeral and cemetery ephemera, specifically the 'Goebon 754 U.S. Bond' watermark and the use of structural steel engraving for the patriotic eagle motif. The condition is graded as 'Good' to 'Very Good'; while there is visible toning and expected tri-fold creasing from ledger storage, the ink remains crisp and the embossed seal provides a tactile layer of provenance. Market demand for funeral ephemera is a niche segment of the 'memento mori' and genealogical markets. While individual receipts are common, the decorative border and strong patriotic iconography (eagle and flag) elevate this piece above standard utility forms. Comparables for mundane financial receipts from this era typically range from $10-$20; however, the aesthetic appeal of the engraving and the specific 'Perpetual Care' subject matter—a concept of significant interest to social historians—suggests a higher premium. Factors impacting value include the clear legibility of the names (John Lindsay) which may appeal to specific family researchers, and the December 30, 1941 date, falling just weeks after the U.S. entry into WWII, which adds historical context. Limitations of this digital appraisal: I cannot verify the paper’s weight, scent (indicative of storage environment), or the chemical composition of the ink. A full authentication would require a physical inspection under UVA light to check for modern fluorescence and a microscopic analysis of the ink-to-paper absorption to ensure it is not a modern high-resolution reproduction. Provenance regarding the specific cemetery location would further solidify the valuation.