Rare Early Southern California Promotional Guide, "Southern California Illustrated Containing an Epitome of the Growth and Industry of the Three Southern Counties..."

Subject: Southern California
Period: 1886-87 (published)
Color: Printed Color
Size: 10.3 x 6.8

This 152 page promotional guide was compiled by S. L. Welch and published by Warner Brothers. While the title refers to the three southern counties, most of the book is about Los Angeles when its population was “nearly 50,000.” The contents include numerous advertisements, illustrations, and the following three small folding maps: San Fernando Lands Los Angeles, Cal. (9.5 x 9.5"); Map Showing Lands of the East Riverside Land Co. San Bernardino Co. Cal. (9.0 x 9.0"); and City of San Diego (9.5 x 7.4"). The two former maps were by Fred Cantin whose ad on page 125 as a woodcut engraver mentions “Map Work a Specialty.” Many of the great ads are illustrated, some with maps. A Rand, McNally map is used for a real estate company ad on page 20, and a full page map on page 82 shows the route of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. Quarto, pictorial paper wrappers.
Condition: B+
Contents are very good with a hint of pleasant light toning and a small chip in the upper blank margin of the last 20 pages of text. Rear wrapper is missing and the front wrapper is worn and soiled with a small dampstain at center that bleeds into the first 12 pages of text.