Swinging Doors
Seattle: Frank McCaffrey, (1949). Gerald Grace. First Edition. Hardcover. 8vo. Pp. 267. Bibliography. Frontis. illustration. Illustrated with excellent photos of Western bars and saloons, and line-drawings by Gerald Grace. Fore-edge untrimmed. Bound in printed cloth, Slight dust soiling to top edge. Near-Fine in a Fine dust jacket. Near Fine / Fine. Item #4975 An atypical title in the body of work from Seattle's preeminent fine-press printer, Frank McCaffrey, who operated alternately as the Dogwood Press or simply under his name as the imprint. While much of his work evokes Victoriana, this appears as a major trade publication, in format and with dust jacket. A handsome copy of a handsome book. Dust jacket is now protected in a removable, clear archival sleeve.
The author's candid preface reveals much substance was gathered by putting his belly to the bar, and drawing information from old-timers while drawing a draft of beer. Marshall claims Seattle developed around a saloon operated by San Franciscan John Pennell called the Illahee and located at Yesler and Alaskan Way. Predating Asa Mercer's "Belles," Pennell imported several shiploads of women from San Francisco to give company to loggers and fishermen.
Price: $30.00