Catalog Archive
Auction 189, Lot 204

Early Southern California Road Guide

"Goodrich Route Book Southern California Los Angeles to San Diego"

Subject: Southern California

Period: 1912-13 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
5 x 9.2 inches
12.7 x 23.4 cm
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This 16-page route book consists of 15 single-page maps including the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego and maps of the main roads along the coast and inland between Los Angeles and San Diego. The maps locate the Goodrich Road Markers along the way with small encircled "G" symbols. In 1910 Goodrich began installing road signs throughout the U.S.; by 1917 Goodyear had installed its easily seen 10-foot signs along 110,000 miles of road. Following Michelin’s lead in Europe, Goodrich also began to issue route books for tourists, highlighting the Goodrich signs and providing specific directions. This example is an early effort by Goodrich to produce a route guide. The introduction indicates that subsequent editions will be more detailed. Goodrich did issue later editions in a more comprehensive format beginning in 1915 with separate Route Books for Northern, Central and Southern California. Goodrich stopped installing signs in 1920 and apparently stopped issuing its route books and maps at about the same time as map publishers and oil companies entered the market. The rear cover contains a list of the Goodrich Route Books “now published.” Pictorial wrappers with a Goodrich Guide Post on the front cover (5.0 x 9.2").

OCLC locates only a few Goodrich Route Books, including this one. No past sales records in the last 30 years.

References: Harp (A World History of Rubber) p. 66.

Condition: B+

Issued on tan paper, which is lightly toned with some staining around the binding staples that do not impact the map images. Covers are lightly soiled and stained.

Estimate: $200 - $250

Sold for: $210

Closed on 9/14/2022

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