California Automobile Tours
An early motorist’s tour guide to California, distributed by the Hotel Del Monte.
Out of stock
Description
This easy-to-read road map of California was published to promote motor tourism across the state at a time when automobiles were becoming increasingly popular for recreation. The routes of six different tours are highlighted according to the legend in the lower right, with distances noted between various points. Hotels, missions, garages, and other locations of interest are overlaid in red. Accompanying text and photographs highlight some of the finest accommodations across California, including the Castle Crags in Shasta County, Hope Ranch Park in Santa Barbara, and the Hotel Del Monte in Monterey.
The map was distributed compliments of the last, and the verso presents a spectacular broadsheet advertising the hotel’s various amenities and nearby attractions. It includes a bird’s eye view of the Del Monte Golf Course and images of numerous California missions.
Originally copywritten in 1913 by Worthington Gates, this particular example has been re-published around 1923, based on the presence of the Pebble Beach Lodge, Hope Ranch, and style of touring car on the cover. Source: Hope Ranch History, Lodge at Pebble Beach
Map Details
Publication Date: c. 1923
Author: Worthington Gates
Sheet Width (in): 19.6
Sheet Height (in): 26.3
Condition: B+
Condition Description: Brochure originally folded into 12 panels, with moderate wear and creasing along former fold lines. About 6" total of separation has been repaired on the verso with archival tape, and the front panel (center right) is somewhat toned and worn, consistent with age. A few small edge tears remain and a handful of tiny scattered spots from the ink do not affect the image overall.
Out of stock