The Motorist’s Vade-Mecum for 1907

The 2nd edition of an uncommon and early guide to Britain’s auto routes.

This scarce 1907 second edition of the Vade-Mecum is a premier artifact of Edwardian-era motoring, issued by the North British Rubber Co. Ltd. of Edinburgh. Functioning as both a portable road guide and a sophisticated marketing tool for “Clincher Tyres,” the booklet captures a moment when the British “Motorist” was a pioneer navigator in a landscape still dominated by horse-drawn transit.

The contents reflect the technical anxieties of the early 20th-century driver, featuring detailed instructions for tire maintenance and roadside repair—essential skills in an era before widespread service infrastructure. The work includes a comprehensive directory of company agents across Britain and a fold-out map delineating the primary motoring arteries of the United Kingdom. As a “Vade-Mecum” (Latin for “go with me”), the pocket-sized format emphasizes its role as a constant companion for the driver, providing the “basic materials” for successful long-distance travel.