Item #6639 London und Umgebung Handbuch für Reisende; Strassenverzeichnis und Pläne von London. Karl BAEDEKER.
London und Umgebung Handbuch für Reisende; Strassenverzeichnis und Pläne von London
London und Umgebung Handbuch für Reisende; Strassenverzeichnis und Pläne von London

London und Umgebung Handbuch für Reisende; Strassenverzeichnis und Pläne von London

Leipsig: Karl Baedeker, 1909. Wagner & Debes. Sixteenth Revised Edition. Hardcover. 16mo. Pp. xxxiv, 393, 44. Illustrated with 4 maps and 33 plans, several in colors and/or folding out. Index. With appended Strassenverzeichnis und Pläne von London (Street Guide) containing several additional three-color fold-out plans. Publisher's textured red cloth over flexible boards, titles stamped in gilt on the cover and spine, blind stamped decorations, red and black silk bookmark ribbons, edges marbled, publisher's advertising on front endpaper. Mellowed crease to front board, extensive text highlighting in colored pencil, one fold split on the first fold-out map but others well preserved. Good. Item #6639

In 1844 Baedeker established a two-star rating system for hotels, restaurants and the tourist destinations, one star being trustworthy, two stars being excellent. By WWII, considerable use was made of Baedeker guides, their accuracy, per travel writer Eric Newby, was "made as if by spies for spies." When the RAF bombed Lubeck in 1942, the Luftwaffe declared they would destroy all structures in England that were awarded "three stars" in Baedeker, not realizing Baedeker's was a two-star system.

Carefully researched and frequently updated, with contributions from travelers, Baedeker's pocket guides were essential baggage for the savvy tourist. The thoroughness with which they describe a country now affords an informed glimpse of the place, the people and their customs at a specific time in history. The clear and beautiful lithographed maps, plans and panoramas created by the firm of Eduard Wagner & Ernst Debes were unequalled. Indispensable for researchers, a treat for armchair historians, and prized by collectors.

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Price: $50.00