Catalog Archive
Auction 179, Lot 213

Rare & Early California Automobile Road Guide

"Dempsey’s Automobile Book California "

Subject: California

Period: 1909 (published)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
5.3 x 7.8 inches
13.5 x 19.8 cm
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This automobile road guide was issued by the Consolidated Motor Car Company and includes numerous full page illustrated automobile ads and 23 single page maps of roads and tours. The tour maps are focused on northern and central California and include "Redwood City to San Jose", "Stockton to Yosemite Valley", and "Placerville to Lake Tahoe" to name a few. Also includes a state map with major roads and a map of Los Angeles & Vicinity. Text includes descriptions of tours, automobile laws of California, and a brief, but fascinating article on Mrs. Frederick Linz, “The Pioneer Woman Motorist.” Among other achievements she organized and managed the Second San Francisco Automobile Show “…which held as it was, when the city was bearly [sic] recovered from its depression, in the spring of ’08, was worthy of much credit, increasing the automobile business for every dealer in the city from 20 to 60 %.” 96 pages, blue pictorial paper wrappers. While the title page claims an edition of 12,500, there are no past sales records or institutional examples located on OCLC.

References:

Condition: B+

Contents are very good with a hint of toning and some minor foxing to two of the single-page maps. Covers are rubbed with minor soiling.

Estimate: $200 - $230

Sold for: $1,300

Closed on 9/16/2020

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