Mid-20th-century medical reference book, titled 'Modern Medical Counselor'

This item is a printed title page from a medical reference book titled 'MODERN MEDICAL COUNSELOR', with the subtitle 'A Practical Guide to Health'. The text identifies the author as 'HUBERT O. SWARTOUT, M.D., Dr.P.H.' and notes it was written 'IN COLLABORATION WITH SIXTEEN LEADING MEDICAL SPECIALISTS'. The page is printed with a date of '1949' and bears the publisher's imprint of 'SIGNS OF THE TIMES PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION' located in 'OSHAWA, ONTARIO'. At the very bottom, there is a small circular mark that says 'PRINTED IN CANADA'. The paper appears to be an off-white or cream color, consistent with age-related toning of mid-century book stock. The typography utilizes a mix of serif fonts, with the main title in a bold, capitalized serif and the subtitle in an italicized script style. The condition shown in the image suggests a well-preserved interior page with minimal foxing, though some faint speckling and slight softening of the paper edges are visible near the gutter. The binding or cover is partially visible on the left, suggesting a hardcover format typical for medical encyclopedias of this era.

Based on the provided image, I have examined a title page for 'Modern Medical Counselor' by Hubert O. Swartout, M.D., dated 1949 and published by the Signs of the Times Publishing Association. This volume was a common household medical encyclopedia frequently distributed through denominational channels in North America. While the page appears consistent with mid-century book stock, I cannot verify the physical integrity of the binding, the completeness of the plates, or the scent of the paper (which can indicate mold) from a photograph alone. This value estimate assumes the book is a complete, well-kept hardcover edition. The valuation is based on the general market for mid-20th-century domestic medical guides. These items are valued more for their nostalgic aesthetic and period illustrations rather than practical medical utility. A well-preserved copy typically occupies the $40 to $85 range. The presence of a dust jacket or pristine 'marbled' edges could push value toward the higher end, while common issues like cracked hinges or foxing would reduce it significantly. Generally, these are not high-rarity items due to their wide historical distribution. To confirm this estimate, a physical inspection is required to check for missing pages and the condition of the spine. While the title page bears markings consistent with a 1949 Canadian edition, I cannot rule out later reprints using original plates without an examination of the copyright page and binding materials. If the book is found to be a modern facsimile or is missing its interior illustrations, the value would likely drop below $15. Provenance indicating a specific historical ownership could increase interest, though such documentation was not provided.