Author: Published Under the Joint Auspices of the Merchants' Exchange and Board of Trade of the City of Oakland, Cal., by Authority of the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County
Title: Oakland, "Athens of the Pacific. " the City of Churches, the City of Schools and Colleges, the City of Art and Science, the City of Wealth and Industry, the City of Health and Homes. Also, Facts and Figures of Alameda County, Its Cities and Towns, Farms and Factories, Railroad and Shipping Interests, Public Institutions, Harbors, Climat, Soil, Products, Etc. , Etc.
Description: Oakland, CA, Calderwood, G. W. and Loofbourow, G. T. 1897 (Copyrighted 1896). First Edition. First edition; 11 3/4 x 9 1/4; pp. iii-v, [3], 9-99, [1]; pink wraps, printed in blue, with a sepia-tone photograph; illustrated with numerous maps and b & w photographs; two stamps of the Calfironia State Board of Trade to lower margin of front wrap; small, antiques shop label to front wrap verso; a thin strip of clear tape to spine cover; a few spots to margins; overall bright and well-preserved; in about very good- condition. Intented to be "mailed free to prospective home seekers on application to Secretary of Merchants' Exchange or Board of Trade, Oakland, Cal." the book was pronounced by, then, former Mayor William R. Davis, to be: "..the best and most accurate presentation of our resources and local attractive features, and as an advertising medium yet published in the interest of Alameda County." It began with an aptly-titled chapter - "Deadly Parallel" - listing specific statistics and numbers from August, 1896, of people dying of heat-stroke in cities around the country, while in Oakland the temperature is balmy 65 degrees. It proceeds to describe Alameda County and the City of Oakland, their climate, resources, modern ammenities, notable businesses, often with flowery and/or bombastic statements, e.g. "One does not need to sniff the odor of the Chicago River, or of its immense piggeries, as a New Yorker contemptuously styled its huge pork-packing establishments to realize that he is in the Garden City." Several copies at institutions, most e-publications; none other in the trade (as of December 2019). Very good .

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