Exhaustive Automobile Tour Guide to Western United States

"Official Touring Information for Year 1916 - The Automobile 16th Year AAA Blue Book - Volume 5 Mississippi River to Pacific Coast", American Automobile Assoc.

This remarkable and early automobile guide is focused on the vast region from Chicago to the West Coast. It contains a staggering 1,308 pages with index map of the region, a small folding map of the United States, numerous single and double-page index maps, and small in-text maps of cities and towns along the 1,286 routes with detailed turn by turn directions. The volume features descriptions of towns, numerous advertisements (some in color), and photographic images. Large sections are devoted to the region surrounding Yellowstone National Park, Texas, Los Angeles and San Francisco. There is also a useful two-page “How to Use the Blue Book,” as the author notes that the book’s value “is secured only by a thorough understanding of its scheme or plan of reference.” The text continues, “Before starting on a tour give ten minutes’ careful study to the following direction and your way will be made plain.” Octavo, gilt stamped limp leather.

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Condition: A

Contents are clean and bright with an occasional spot or minor soiling. The large folding map has a 1" separation at a fold junction and a few minor spots. Covers have light wear. Overall remarkable condition considering the book's size and intended use.