Catalog Archive
Auction 177, Lot 178

"The Panoramic Automobile Road Map and Tourist Guide Book Of Southern California - Season 1914-15",

Subject: Southern California

Period: 1914 (published)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
4.9 x 8.8 inches
12.4 x 22.4 cm
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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. Includes a 22 page "Special Supplement" with a double page "Comprehensive Index Map outlining the motor routes charted in this book.” The supplement also includes a listing of “inadvertent errors” in the guide book brought to the publisher’s attention. 288 pages with numerous advertisements. Hardbound in full leather with gilt title on the front cover.

References:

Condition: B

The folding map at back is very good with light toning and a short fold separation at bottom that has been closed on verso with archival tape. Text and illustrations are good to very good with occasional pencil notations in the margins, and several pages of the supplement are detached. The spine is lacking and the covers are chipped, worn, and nearly detached.

Estimate: $300 - $375

Sold for: $1,900

Closed on 4/29/2020

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