This fascinating lot is a special edition of the Los Angeles Times praising the virtues of Southern California. This "Midwinter" edition, issued on New Year's Day, ran from 1885 until 1954. It grew in size from a twenty-four page paper in 1886 up to 240 pages composed of five magazines - the maximum size allowable under the postal regulations. The magazines, printed on newspaper, are divided into five parts:

Part I - The Year's Achievements
Part II - Commerce, Industry
Part III - Encyclopedia
Part IV - The Great Southwest
Part V - Pictorial Journey (black & white)

Part I includes a map of the Southwest United States on the cover and a centerfold entitled "Los Angeles Harbor" which is a bird's-eye view of the region by Charles H. Owens with an explanation of the points on the map on the preceding page. Part II has a very nice full page illustration of the "Oil Pools and Wells at Santa Fe Springs." Part III has a double-page map by Owens of "Motor Routes through the Heart of California" showing the topography of the state from Sacramento to the Mexican Border. Part IV has a dramatic centerfold map of the Southwest by Owens "How the Mighty Colorado Will Put to Work for the Whole Southwest," and a full page map of "Rancho de las Palomas," a massive ranch in Mexico on the U.S. border owner by a Los Angeles family. Part V includes "The End of the Journey - Los Angeles, Metropolis of the West, Has Room for Expansion," a large, double-page topographical map (black & white) by Owens of the region with an aerial photograph of the center city.

In addition to the maps and views listed above, the magazines are absolutely filled with color illustrations and informative content. Folio, complete in five parts, 48 pp. per magazine. A very unique piece for any Southern California collector.

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Condition: B+

The overall condition is very good considering it is newsprint. The magazines have light to moderate toning with edge tears and chips as to be expected. A few of the pages are loose, and Part V has some dampstaining on the sides and bottom, not significantly impacting the images and text.