That's a Good Question:
Personal Effects Tasha Tudor Books October 2014

Question: Dear Jerry, I love love love Tasha Tudor. I've collected her books, prints and everything I can lay hands. I enjoy her attempts to travel back in time to the 1820's with her clothing and home. I have a couple of her books that are signed. I bought them new and I'm not sure if they have any value aside from whats I paid. I have Tasha Tudor's Heirloom Crafts and The Private World of Tasha Tudor. Both have the dust wrappers, are marked 1^st edition and are spotless inside and out. Both are signed but the crafts book is double signed and upside down. Why? Has her death increased their value? Keep the articles coming. I save them. Thanks and kindest regards.

Cover of Tasha's beautiful Heirloom Crafts. 

Answer: I too, enjoy the lifestyle of Tasha Tudor. Though some say that she was living in a bubble of her own fantasy. I think that's harsh. If you can afford to do it, if its what you want and no one is harmed over it, live in the 1820's if you want. However, the world that Tasha created and the one she illustrated are somewhat different from the true life she led. Tasha Tudor was an American author and illustrator. Known for her illustrations of quaint 19^th century farm / country life, featuring bonnet topped kids, New England styled homes and long lost customs and traditions. Born as Starling Burgess, in Boston, Massachusetts, in August of 1918. She, while still a child, was re-named Natasha, which was later shortened to Tasha. Following the first of two divorces, she legally adopted her mother's maiden name, Tudor. Tasha and her first husband had four children. Her second marriage was very brief. Tasha died on June 2008, at age 92, in Marlboro,Vermont. The bulk of her two million dollar estate was left to her oldest son Seth and her grandson Winslow. The remaining children were disinherited, due to what was called “their estrangement from their mother.” Though, it was cited that the other children were gifted millions of dollars, in the form of her original art work, during her lifetime. So see it wasn't all tea and cakes and ices.

Tasha Tudor's autograph

Tasha's first book, Pumpkin Moonshine was published in 1938. A mint condition first edition of this title will fetch upwards of $2000.00. More than one hundred other titles, either illustrated or illustrated and written by Tasha culminated her career. Tasha received many awards and honors in her career, including two Caldecott Awards and a Regina Medal. There was several ground breaking exhibits of Tasha's work and collections at such places as The Norman Rockwell Museum,the Henry Ford Museum and Colonial Williamsburg. Her writings, manuscripts and original art work are in collections all over the world.

Tasha is most well known for her children's books and that is where some serious value is. I wish that you'd told me what children's book you have. The two, lets call them “lifestyle books”, that you have are very collectible and beautiful. The addition of signatures is even more desirous. She'll not be signing anymore. The reason for the double upside down signature? Likely, it was during a mob packed book signing and someone just handed her the same book twice, upside down. A double signature does not add nor detract from it's value. I looked online and found that these two titles were being offered for up to $390.00. Realistically, I'd say that in a good book store environment that they would be priced between $75.00 to $100.00 each. You've done pretty well, as you probably paid $25.00 for them when new. Thanks for sharing them.