"Book of Summer Resorts…A Complete Guide for the Summer Tourist, with Maps and Illustrations", Sweetser, Charles H.

A lovely small, but very thick book bound in green cloth with gilt titling, separately paginated sections, 528 pages total, five folding maps, 28 full-page engraved illustrations, and approximately 30 pp of advertisements at back. The folding maps are: 1) The Seashore of New England, 13 x 16.8"; 2) Map of the Rensselaer & Saratoga Rutland & Burlington and Lake Champlain Railway & Steamboat Line and Connections, 6 x 8.5"; 3) Map of Pleasure Travel and Excursion Routes to the Sulphur Springs, Natural Bridge and Battle-Fields of Virginia (title above map is "New-York & Philadelphia R.R. Line … Ticket Office, Foot of Courtlandt Street, New York"), 8.2 x 6"; 4) Tourist's Map of Long Island Sound, 14.4 x 8.5"; and 5) Tourist's Map of the Dominion of Canada, 17.2 x 7.5 inches. Most of these maps have on their face "Maps of every description" available at Colton's Geographical Establishment, G.W. & C.B. Colton & Co., No. 172 Williams St., New York.

This is the first edition of this comprehensive work with another edition promised by the author in 1869. The book is divided into numerous chapters including Lakes, Rivers, and Mountains; Springs and Falls; Seaside Resorts; Dominion of Canada; Time Tables, etc. Filled with information and charming text like "For a four weeks' sojourn at the Sea-Shore, one hundred and fifty dollars will suffice, even at the most popular places." A very fine example of an early tourist oriented book.

References:

Condition: A

Covers are near fine. Contents are very good to fine. One signature at center is slightly loose. Title page with original owner's name at top in ink.