The Illustrated Directory of Oakland California: Comprising Views of Business Blocks, with Reference to Owners, Occupants, Professions and Trades, and Brief History of the City.
Oakland: The Illustrated Directory Company, 1896. First edition. Oblong 4to, 26 x 35.5cm, 104, [2]pp, illustrations, index. Original maroon pebbled cloth with beveled edges, stamped in gilt on front cover. Very good with cloth worn at corners and spine ends, covers show some soiling. Manuscript notes from the former owner to front and rear endpapers, the first few pages with a light crease and some scattered foxing else clean internally. One of the more beautifully illustrated city directories from the turn of the century, with street views and prominent businesses depicted mainly through photo-engravings by the important perspective map artist and publisher, Eli Sheldon Glover. There are also several photographic plates, and owners and a brief description for many of the featured businesses are included. The impeccable detail of each engraving is consistent with Glover's popular bird's-eye views of various western cities which were published as lithographs from the late 1860's on. The manuscript notes in this copy seem to be drafts of lease violation notices from the former owner, presumably a landlord at 1384 12th Street, which is mentioned in each draft. The first is a Notice to Quit, the second a notice of unsanitary condition of premises due to the tenant residing in the basement, and on the rear endpaper, a notice to pay rent or surrender possession. Worldcat locates nine holdings of this directory, six of them in California. Item #4582
Price: $2,000.00