Includes a Tiny Compass in the Front Cover

"The Panoramic Automobile Road Map. And Tourist Guide Book of Southern California Season 1914-15...",

This rare, early automobile guide by Willard Cundiff contains over 180 bird's-eye view drawings of "all the roads" in southern California. In the author's words from the preface: "A few months ago I recklessly enjoyed a ride in an aeroplane. This gave me an idea, and I learned some new truths about the rarified laws of perspective. This book, like my voyage in the nether, is a decided departure from old methods...I believe it far exceeds anything yet attempted along these lines." Included with the drawings is a map attached to the inside rear cover entitled Relief Map of Southern California Showing Territory Covered with the Panoramic Road Maps (15.7 x 10.7") that spans the region from Santa Barbara south to San Diego and east to Needles and Yuma. The guidebook's front cover also contains an unusual, tiny (working) compass to aid in using the maps. 288 pages with numerous advertisements. Hardbound in tan cloth.

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Condition: B

The single-page maps in the text are generally good to very good with light toning, occasional pencil/pen notations, and a few edge tears. The folding map at back has been severed along the left fold and rejoined on verso with archival tape. The spine has essentially perished and the covers, which are moderately rubbed, are loosely attached.