AI identification & appraisal estimate

Limited edition book bearing a signature attributed to John Foster Dulles

Submitted photo of Limited edition book bearing a signature attributed to John Foster Dulles
Photo submitted by the user — not generated by AI

User's notes

Signed John Foster Dulles no 70 of 500

These notes were written by the person who submitted this item. Appraiser.AI has not verified them, and the AI's identification and estimate may rely on them.

AI Estimated Value

Not an official valuation

$100 - $150

AI estimate as of May 29, 2026 · verify with a professional before acting

AI-Generated · Verify before acting

Everything on this page is generated by AI for informational purposes only. AI can make mistakes — the AI may misidentify items or misattribute them (artist, maker, brand, designer, origin, era). This is not an official valuation and should not be used for insurance, sale, tax, estate, legal, or lending purposes — or any decision requiring a certified appraisal. It is not an authoritative claim about any person, brand, or rights holder — do not share or rely on it as a factual statement about a third party. Always consult qualified professionals before making financial decisions.

This analysis also relies on unverified notes provided by the user, which may be incomplete or inaccurate and could affect the result.

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AI Item Analysis

The item is an open book showing two pages of text with a limited edition statement and an ink signature. Page 4 contains the text: 'This is No. 70 of a limited edition of 500 copies of Seven Essays by Robert Lansing, especially printed and bound for distribution by Frank C. Ash.' The number '70' is handwritten in blue ink. It also bears a copyright date of 1957 by Frank C. Ash. Page 5 features a block of printed text regarding observations on the Galloo Island area and the P.K. Club. Below this text is a bold ink signature that appears consistent with the signature of John Foster Dulles, with his name printed below the line. The user notes this as signed by Dulles, though this attribution remains a hypothesis subject to physical verification of the ink and paper. The paper appears to be an off-white or cream-colored bond, typical of mid-20th-century private press or limited distribution books. Visible condition includes some minor foxing or spotting on the right side of the page and slight yellowing consistent with a 1950s era of manufacture. Without a physical inspection, the authenticity of the signature cannot be verified, as signatures can be printed, stamped, or forged, though the ink flow here is stylistically consistent with a fountain pen or similar fluid ink instrument.

AI Appraisal Report

Based on the provided image and user description, I am reviewing a limited edition book, copy number 70 of 500, of Seven Essays by Robert Lansing, printed for distribution by Frank C. Ash with a 1957 copyright. The owner identifies this as signed by John Foster Dulles, and the page bears a signature consistent with his known handwriting. I must treat this attribution as a hypothesis, as I cannot physically examine the ink or paper to determine if the signature is hand-applied or printed or stamped. Visible condition shows minor foxing and slight yellowing, which is typical for paper from the 1950s. Market demand for mid-century political signatures varies. Memorabilia associated with John Foster Dulles typically commands moderate interest among American political history collectors. If this signature is a later reproduction, autopen, or printed facsimile, the value would essentially drop to the modest nominal value of the limited edition book itself, perhaps $20 to $40. My current estimate assumes the signature and limited edition numbering are hand-applied and period-accurate. To properly evaluate the piece, an in-person physical inspection by a handwriting specialist is necessary to assess the ink flow, pressure, and paper characteristics.

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