Books in the American Guide Series
Arranged alphabetically by title.



Some Background Information on The American Guide Series

One of the best known, and perhaps least understood, series titles is The American Guide Series which was produced under the direction of the Federal Writer's Project, an agency of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).  The impact of this program sent some 6,000 Depression-era authors out across the country to record anything of interest.  Referring to this effort the poet, W. H. Auden, called it "one of the noblest and most absurd undertakings ever attempted by a [government]."  Many collectors choose to limit the meaning of "American Guide Series" to just those tour guides which were published on the 48 contiguous states plus Alaska, Puerto Rico, New York City and Washington, D.C.  However, the Federal Writer's Project used the term to apply to many more titles in the series.  Indeed a huge collection of articles, monographs and books were published on many facets of American life.  This diversity included topics of history, folklore, nature, national parks, communities, highways, rivers, islands and growing vegetables.  In most cases in exchange for the fees and stipends received by the authors they had to remain anonymous allowing the WPA and the Federal Writer's Project to take authorial credit.  The list that follows represents only a small sampling of the books in the series.

Copyright © 2001, Town's End Books, All Rights Reserved.


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    WPA:  San Francisco The Bay and Its Cities.  New York: Hastings House, 1940. First Edition. Very near fine in heavy, light blue-gray cloth covered boards with dark blue text on the spine and front board. An octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with foxing in the gutters most likely from a reaction due to the glues used in binding. In a very good+, unclipped dust jacket with small chips from the ends of the spine area and at the upper corners of the front panel. This volume was written and compiled by the Federal Writers' Project of the WPA in Northern California and is one of the volumes in the American Guide Series. 531 pages with index,text and photographs through-out.
    TB33476  $150.00



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    WPA:  Alabama A Guide to the Deep South.  New York: Richard R. Smith, 1941. First Edition. Very good in light green cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine and on the front board. A small octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with the cloth at the head and heel of the spine rubbed and with a 1 inch stain on the fore edge of the test block and with a prior owner's name on the fly title page. Without its issued dust jacket. Reportedly the first printing of the book was restricted to only 5,000 copies. 442 pages with index, bibliography, chronology, text, maps and eight sections of photographs with map front end papers of the state. The map pocket is present and contains the large fold-out map which is in excellent, undamaged condition.
    TB33794  $100.00



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    WPA:  The Angler's Guide For Washington [DC] and Vicinity.  Northport, NY: Bacon, Perry & Daggett, 1941. First Edition. Very good+ in its original printed, light orange, cloth covered boards with black text and an illustration of a fish and a worm on a hook on the front board. An octavo of 8 3/4 by 6 inches with soiling in the gutters of the boards and very light hand soiling to the fore edge of the front board. The hinge areas are both foxed due to a reaction with the glues used in binding. There is a book plate of William C. Siebert, Jr. on the front paste down who was a well-known angling book collector. 61 pages of text and humorous illustrations by Rafael Cesar and Bob Williams. "A guide, directory, and compendium of useful information, showing where to fish, how to get there, what to hook for, where to stay or eat, together with hints on equipment and bait." (from the title page) Jeff Dykes in his catalog/bibliography: American Guide Series stated that this title was "now scarce" (as of 1966). OCLC shows only 14 institutions holding this title. Although not part of the American Guide Series this title may occasionally appear in catalogs and bibliographies on the subject. It was only printed once in both hard bound and soft bound format. (Dykes, 388; Scharf & Schoyer, 691; Powell 155; WPA Writers' Program Publicatons (reprint), p. 7; Bruns, p.508 #172)
    TB33699  $450.00



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    WPA:  Arizona A State Guide.  New York: Hastings House, 1940. First Edition. Very good+ in tan buckram with brown text stampings on the spine and front board and map end papers with a neatly written gift inscription written at the upper edge of the second free end page. A small octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with foxing to the front gutter and foxing to the hinge areas front and back due to a reaction with the glue used in binding. In only a good, price clipped dust jacket with heavy chipping to the upper 1/3rd of the spine area and a three inch chip from the upper rear corner of the front panel. 530 pages including an index, appedices, and photographs in eight sections. The 27th volume in the American state Guide Series.
    TB30886  $75.00



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    WPA:  Arkansas A Guide to the State.  New York: Hastings House Publishers, 1941. First Edition. Fine in black cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine and on the front board with map end papers. The end sheets show faint foxing near the hinges due to a reaction with the glue used in binding. In a very good+, price clipped dust jacket with very shallow chipping at the upper and lower edges of the spine area and rubbing to the corners of the front panel. One of the volumes in the American Guide Series which was originally scheduled to be released in January of 1938 but was delayed until September, 1941. (Schoyer- 41) The book was not issued with a fold-out map. Instead there are sectional maps at the end of the text of the book with transportation maps on the front and rear end papers. 447 pages including an index, maps as stated above, a list of consultants, bibliography, chronology, text and 8 sections of black and white photographs. A very scarce volume in jacket.
    TB33717  $180.00



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    WPA:  California A Guide to the Golden State.  New York: Hastings House, 1945 c1939. First Edition. Very good in light-green cloth covered boards with the spine slightly tanned and with foxing to the end papers due to a reaction with the glue employed in binding. A small octavo measuring 8 by 5 1/4 inches.. The book is missing its issued dust jacket. 713 pages with index, text, black and white photographs in eight sections and a pocket on the rear end paper with the multi-colored fold-out map of the state which is in excellent condition.
    TB33226  $100.00



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    WPA:  Connecticut A Guide to its Roads, Lore and People.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1938. First Edition, First Printing. Near fine in red simulated leather covered boards with foxing to the rear inner hinge due to a reaction to the glue used in binding. A small octavo measuring 8 by 5 3/8 inches. In a very good+, unclipped dust jacket with small chips and closed tears to the ends of the spine area and with short closed tears to the ends of the rear panel. The rear end paper of the book has a pocket within which is the multi-color map of the state which is in fine condition. 593 pages including an index, chronology, ten tour guides and text. Illustrated with eight sections of black and white photographs. Overall, a very nice, tight and with no prior ownership markings of any kind.
    TB32856  $125.00



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    WPA:  Delaware A Guide to the First State.  New York: The Viking Press, 1938. First Edition. Fine in tan cloth covered boards with blue text on the spine and front board. A small octavo measuring 8 by 5 1/4 inches with the rear map pocket excised. In a very good-, price clipped dust jacket with a 1/4 inch chipping across the upper edge of the spine area and 1 1/4 inch "V: shaped chip at the upper rear corner of the front panel. Reportedly the first printing of the book was restricted to only 10,000 copies. 549 pages with index, bibliography, chronology, text, maps and photographs throughout with the fold-out map of the state missing as is the pocket as noted above. Despite the problems, this is still a handsome copy with no prior ownership markings of any kind.
    TB33718  $100.00



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    WPA:  Georgia A Guide to Its Towns and Countryside.  Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1946. Second Printing. Near fine in red buckram covered boards with gilt text on the spine. A small octavo measuring 8 by 5 3/8 inches with the front paste down illustrated with a road map of the state. There are two small brown spots on the fore edge of the text block. In a very good, unclipped (no price) dust jacket with several small, shallow chips at the head of the spine area and small chips over the tips of the boards. 559 pages with index, bibliography, chronology, text, maps and photographs throughout. The fold-out map appearing in the rear pocket of the first edition was not produced with this printing as there is no map or pocket at the rear of the text.
    TB33765  $125.00




  • Colby, Merle:  A Guide to Alaska Last American Frontier.  New York: The Macmillan Company, 1939, 1943. Reprint of September, 1943. Near fine in medium blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping and decorations on the spine and front board with illustrated end sheets. A small octavo of 8 by 5 1/4 inches with a prior owner's book plate on the verso of the first free end page. In a very good+, unclipped dust jacket with very shallow chipping at the ends of the spine area and to the corners of the panels over the tips of the boards. 427 pages including an index, text, maps, photographs and a fold-out map in a rear pocket. One of the few volumes in the American Guide Series to carry a specific author's name.
    TB33729  $85.00




  • WPA:  Here's New England.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1939. First Edition, First printing. Very good+ in decorated red cloth covered boards with modest fading to the heel of the spine and the lower edge of the front board and with a gift inscription on the front free end paper and a prior owner's name on the front end paper. In a poor dust jacket with a 3/4" deep chip at the upper edge of the spine area which wraps around to the panels with numerous other small chips, wear, creasing and tears some of which have been repaired with tape. 122 pages including an index and illustrated with maps and two sections of black and white photographs.
    TB17301  $28.00



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    WPA:  Here's New England A Guide To Vacationland.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1939. First Edition. Near fine in decorated bright red-orange cloth covered boards with black text on the spine and front board. A small octavo measuring 8 by 5 3/8 with a prior owner's book plate on the first free end page and with mild dust staining to the top edge of the text block. In a very good+, unclipped dust jacket with shallow (1/8 inch) chipping across the upper edge of the spine area and a 1/4 inch closed tear at the upper edge of the fold to the front flap. 122 pages including an index and illustrated with maps and two sections of black and white photographs and with a multi-colored, fold-out map in the rear pocket which is in perfect condition. A handsome, tight, clean and collectible copy.
    TB32978  $75.00



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    WPA:  Idaho A Guide in Word and Picture.  Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton Printers, Ltd, 1937. First Edition, First Printing. Very good+ in its original dark green cloth covered boards with gilt text and designs on the spine and on the front board. An octavo of 9 by 6 inches with rubbing and light wear to the cloth at the head and heel of the spine, the cloth is worn over the tips of the boards and the front and rear hinges have been repaired. Unfortunately, a prior owner removed the title page from this copy. A reasonable, color facsimile is its replacement. Without its very scarce dust jacket. This was the first state guide published appearing in January, 1937. It sold out within weeks with sales reaching 1,800 copies within its first few months. (Penkower) A fire in the publisher's plant destroyed much of the second printing and the plates for the first edition. 431 pages including an index, bibliography and text. Illustrated from black and white photographs and with 15 maps. Jeff Dykes, in his American Guide Series catalog and bibliography, states that this volume is "very scarce". The majority of this title was written by Vardis Fisher, who at the time was the director of the Writers' Project in Idaho. It wasn't until the second printing of this title that Fisher's name appeared on the title page. The second printing also contained a folded, printed map contained in a rear pocket of the book. The first printing did not contain a rear pocket with such a map. (Dykes, 68; Penkower, p.126-127; Scharf/Schoyer, 163; Howes, F-153)
    TB33700  $550.00



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    WPA:  Iowa A Guide to the Hawkeye State.  New York: The Viking Press, 1938. First Edition. Very good+ in green buckram covered boards with faded gilt text stampings on the spine and with foxing on the end sheets a result of the paper's reaction with the glue used in binding. Missing its issued dust jacket. 583 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, text and with maps and black and white photographs throughout with the fold-out, multi-color map (which is in fine condition) in the rear pocket of the book. An uncommon early title in the WPA's American Guide series.
    TB33227  $75.00



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    WPA:  Kansas A Guide to The Sunflower State.  New York: The Viking Press, 1939. First Edition, First Printing. Near fine in light green cloth (buckram) covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine and on the front board with illustrated map front end papers. The cloth on the spine is slightly faded and the areas over the hinges are foxed due to a reaction with the glues used in binding. There is a prior owner's name at the upper edge of the title page. In a good, unclipped dust jacket with two major chips to the spine area. The 22nd volume in the American Guide Series (Schoyer, 197) which is considered "quite scarce" by Jeff Dykes in his catalog #2 of the American Guide Series (Spring, 1966) (Dykes, 103). With the multi-colored, two-sided map within the pocket at the rear of the book. The map is in excellent, unblemished condition. 538 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, text and illustrated with 79 black and white photographs and with three maps within the text.
    TB33785  $200.00



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    WPA:  Livingston The Story of a Community.  Livingston, NJ: Sponsored by the Township of Livingston, 1939. First Edition. Fine in red-brown cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine and gilt text and a blind embossed seal on the front board. An octavo of 9 by 6 inches with illustrated end sheets. In a near fine, unclipped (no price) dust jacket with only a hint of wear to the upper edge of the spine area. 166 pages including an index, appendices and text. Illustrated with a section from black and white photographs and a map. Considered "scarce" by Dykes and Scharf/Schoyer. Indeed very uncommon in such nice condition. (Dykes, 197; Powell 992; Brewer, 692; Scharf/Schoyer, 377),
    TB33100  $65.00



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    WPA:  Los Angeles A Guide To The City and Its Environs.  New York: Hastings House, 1951. Second Edition of 1951. An exlibrary copy in good condtion in cloth covered boards. The dust jacket has been glued to the end sheets and there are the typical notations and stamps within this copy. In a good dust jacket which has been glued to the book. One of the volumes in the WPA's American Guide Series. 441 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, list of tours, text and illustrated with eight sections of black and white photographs and with eight maps within the text plus the end paper maps.
    TB33788  $35.00



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    WPA:  Louisiana A Guide To The State.  New York: Hastings House, 1941, 1947. Fourth Printing of 1947. Near finr in dark green cloth covered boards with red text stamping on the spine and on the front board and with map end sheets. An octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches. In a very good- price clipped dust jacket which has been reinforced with masking tape on the verso side of the jacket. 746 pages including an index, 6 pages of maps of the state with a separate index for same, census figures for 1940 for the state, bibliography, chronology, glossary, text and illustrated with eight sections of photographs and eleven maps throughout the text.
    TB33771  $65.00



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    WPA:  Maine A Guide Down East.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1937. First Edition. Very good+ in leather simulated green paper covered boards with gilt text on the spine and on the front board. The cloth of the spine is slightly soiled and the end sheets are foxed in the hinge areas due to a reaction with the glues used in binding and the edges of the text block are soiled. In avery good unclipped dust jacket with rubbing and flecking of the colors to the ends of the spine area and to the edges of the panels. One of the volumes in the American Guide Series. 476 pages with index, text, and illustrated with eight sections of black and white photographs. The fold-out map of Maine is in the rear pocket and is in very nice condition.
    TB33224  $125.00



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    WPA:  A Maritime History of New York.  New York: Doubleday, Doran and Company, Inc., 1941. First Edition, First printing. Very good+ in light blue cloth covered boards with black and yellow text on the spine and a black sketch of Sandy Hook Lighthouse on the front board and with illustrated end sheets. An octavo measuring 8 1/4" by 5 1/2" with the cloth at the head and heel of the spine crimped, but otherwise undamaged. Without its issued dust jacket. With an introduction by Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia. 341 pages including an index, bibliography, and text. Illustrated with 16 black and white photographic reproductions and reproductions of earlier works of art. Considered "scarce" by Jeff Dykes (item 222) in his catalog and checklist of the American Guide Series.
    TB28600  $95.00




  • WPA:  Maryland A Guide to the Old Line State.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1940. Second Printing of November, 1941. Fine in light blue cloth covered boards with green text and decorations An octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with a prior owner's book plate on the verso side of the front free end page. In a very good+, unclipped dust jacket with the spine area slighlty tanned and with several short closed tears to the upper edge of the spine area. 561 pages including an index, appendices, bibliography, chronology, photographs in eight sections and with the fold-out map (which is in excellent condition) at the rear of the book in the pocket.
    TB33730  $125.00




  • WPA:  Massachusetts A Guide to its Places and People.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1937. Reprint. Near fine in simulated blue leather cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine and on the front board. An octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with the cloth at the head and heel of the spine is lightly rubbed and the text on the spine is slightly faded as is typically seen and with a prior owner's book plate on the verso of the fly title page. In a very good+, price clipped dust jacket with a 1/8 inch deep chip at the upper fore corner of the spine area, and light wear at the upper edges of the panels and spine areas. 675 pages with index, text, and eight sections of black and white photographs with maps throughout and with the multi-colored map within the pocket at the rear of the book. A clean and handsome copy with no prior ownership markings.
    TB33732  $100.00



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    WPA:  Minnesota A State Guide.  New York: The Viking Press, 1947, c.1938. Second Printing of November, 1947. Very good+ in light blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine and on the front board with a slight concave shape to the spine and the gilt on the spine barely visible. There is a prior owner's name on the first free end page. In a very good-, price clipped dust jacket with a tape repair at the top edge of the spine area on the recto side. 523 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, text and 53 pages of black and white photographs and with 12 maps within the body of the text. The multi-colored map of the state is missing from the rear pocket.
    TB33777  $75.00



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    WPA:  The Minnesota Arrowhead Country.  Chicago: Albert Whitman & Co., 1941. First Edition, First printing. Near fine in smooth green cloth covered boards with dark green text on the spine and on the front board with map end papers. A small octavo measuring 7 7/8 by 51/8 inches with moderate dust staining to the top edge of the text block. In a very good, price clipped dust jacket with 1/8 inch deep chipping across both the upper and lower edges of the spine area and two large chips from the rear panel. The contents are very clean, tight and free of any damage or prior ownership markings. Similar content to the American Guide Series for the state of Minnestoa. 231 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, glossary, industrial and commercial data for the state, text and illustrated with 44 black and white photographs in six sections and with four maps within the body of the text.
    TB31982  $85.00



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    WPA:  Mississippi A Guide To the Magnolia State.  New York: The Viking Press, 1938. First Edition. Near fine in light green buckram covered boards with gilt text and decorations on the spine and on the front board with printed map front end papers. The end sheets are foxed due to a reaction with the glues used in binding and with minor dust staining to the top edge of the text block and some foxing to the fore and lower edges of the text block.. In a very good+, unclipped dust jacket with rubbing and light wear to the ends of the spine area to a depth of 1/4 inch. 545 pages with index, bibliography, chronology, text and illustrated with images from photographs through-out with the multi-colored, fold-out , double sided, color map in the rear pocket. The map is in exceptional condition with no tears, chips or soiling. Three of the black and white photographs (pages 12, 16 and 449) are by Eudora Welty which represent her first appearance in print. (Schoyer, 302; Dykes, 155; Brewer, 671) Overall this book and its jacket are a great example of a very difficult title to locate in acceptable condition.
    TB33333  $225.00



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    WPA:  Missouri A Guide to The 'Show Me' State.  New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce, (1941). First Edition, First Printing. Very near fine in gray cloth covered boards with blue text on the spine and front board. An octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with the cloth very faintly rubbed at the corners of the head and heel of the spine. Without its issued dust jacket. 652 pages including an index, chronology, maps of sections of the state and photographs in several sections through-out. A separate map at the rear was not produced with the book. (Scharf & Schoyer 306)
    TB33784  $75.00



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    WPA:  Montana A State Guide Book.  New York: The Viking Press, 1939. First Edition. Near fine in dark blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping and decorations on the spine and front board. The hinge areas of the end papers are tanned from the reaction with the glue used to bind the book. There is a small inked "26" in the upper fore corner of the first free end paper with a prior owner's name and address and date of "Feb. 10, 1942" on the verso of the first free end paper and there is some slight separation after the second free end paper. The book is missing its original issued dust jacket. One of the early volumes in the American Guide Series which is considered somewhat uncommon. 430 pages containing an index, bibliography, appendicies and illustrated with maps and photographs throughout. The rear, tipped-in pocket contains the color, double sided, fold-out map which is in excellent condition.
    TB33782  $85.00



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    WPA:  Nebraska A Guide to the Cornhusker State.  New York: The Viking Press, 1947, c.1939. Second Printing of October, 1947. Fine in tan cloth covered boards with brown text on the spine and on the front board with map front end sheets. An octavo of 8 by 5 1/8 inches. In a very near fine, price clipped dust jacket with very light rubbing at the corners of the spine area and over the tips of the boards. 424 pages with index, text, black and white photographs throughout and a pocket at the rear if the book; unfortunately, without the double-sided, fold-out map of the state.
    TB33786  $125.00




  • WPA:  New Hampshire A Guide to the Granite State.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1938. First Edition. Very near fine in dark blue, simulated leather, cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine with map end sheets. A small octavo measuring 8 by 5 1/4 inches with the gilt text on the spine faded and front board faded and with a dated, gift inscription on the fly title page. In a very good-, price clipped dust jacket with 1/2 deep chipping across the upper edge of the spine area and 1/16 inch deep chipping across the lower edge of the same. There a numerous short closed tears around the edges of the panels. 559 pages with index, text, black and illustrated with eight sections of black and white photographs and a pocket on the rear end paper with the multi-color, fold-out map of the state within which is in fine condition. Overall a very nice, clean, tight and collectable copy with no prior ownership markings of any kind.
    TB32473  $125.00



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    WPA:  New Mexico A Guide to the Colorful State.  Alburquerque: The University of New Mexico Press, 1945. Second edition of June, 1945. Near fine in dark blue cloth covered boards with silver colored text stampings on the spine and front board and map front end papers. The upper fore corner of the front board has been bumped. In a good, price clipped dust jacket with major chipping. One of the American Guide Series. 458 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology and illustrated with eight sections of black and white photographs and four maps within the text. With a large errata page preceding the title page which is continued on page xviii. Although the pocket at the rear end paper is present this dealer is not certain that the map contained within is the correct map for this publication.
    TB33780  $50.00



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    WPA:  New York A Guide to the Empire State.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1940. First Edition. Very good- in light blue cloth covered boards with black text and decorations on the spine and front board. The cloth at the corners of the spine are rubbed and worn and the cloth over the tips of the boards is worn and rubbed. There is also a prior owner's name on the first free end page. 782 pages including an index, appendices, chronology, text and photographs. The folding map located in a pocket at the rear of the book is present and in fine condition.
    TB33775  $75.00



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    WPA:  New York City Guide.  New York: Random House, 1939. First Printing of the Second Edition (without the 1939 Worlds Fair section). Near fine in textured tan cloth covered boards with a gilt on black title block on the spine with light handsoiling to the cloth over the spine. Without its issued dust jacket. The subtilte on the title page reads: "A Comprehensive Guide to the Five Boroughs of the Metropolis - Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Richmond - Prepared by the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration in New York City." 680 pages including an index, a list of books about New York, text and illustrated with 36 maps and ten sections of black and white photographs. At the rear of the book is a map pocket in which is a double sided fold-out map street of Manhattan and the subways and elevated lines of the city. the map is in excellent condition. (Dykes, 213)
    TB33791  $100.00



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    WPA:  New York Panorama.  New York: Random House, 1938. First Edition. Very good+ in dark blue cloth covered boards with faded gilt text and decorations on the spine and on the front board with illustrated end papers showing the five boroughs of New York with the gilt text on the spine faded. Without its issued dust jacket. "A comprehensive view of the Metropolis, Presented in a series of articles prepared by the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration in New York City." Although considered a "companion" to the New York City Guide this was the first book of the two produced to create the complete WPA guide to New York. One of the earliest volumes in the American Guide Series. 526 pages with an index, text with eight sections of black and white photographs through-out the text.
    TB33228  $80.00



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    WPA:  North Dakota A Guide To the Northern Prairie State.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1950. Second Edition. Very good+ in light blue-green cloth covered boards with black text on the spine and black decorations on the front board and map end papers. A small octavo of 8 by 5 1/4 inches with the spine slightly tanned and with pages 130, 131 and 204 marked in ink and red pencil by a prior owner. The cloth over the spine is slightly tanned. Without its issued dust jacket. 352 pages containing an index, appendices, bibliography, text and illustrated with two sections of photographs. The first edition of this title is extremely scarce due to the fact that only 3,000 copies of the book were printed.
    TB33769  $50.00



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    WPA:  Oklahoma A Guide To The Sooner State.  Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1945 c. 1958. Second Edition, Second printing of 1958. Near fine in red-orange cloth covered boards with yellow text on the spine. A octavo of 8 by 5 1/4 inches with map front end sheets. Without its issued dust jacket. This was the last state guide issued in the American Guide Series. 532 pages including an index, appendices, and photographs in eight sections, and maps.
    TB33783  $50.00



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    WPA:  Oregon End of The Trail.  Portland: Binfords & Mort, 1940. First Edition. Very good+ in blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine and on the front board and with map end papers. An octavo measuring 8 by 5 1/4 inches with light rubbing to the cloth at corners of the spine, over the tips of . the boards and the edges of the joints Without its issued dust jacket. In first edition, this is one of the more uncommon volumes in the American Guide Series. 549 pages including an index, a reading list, chronology, text and illustrated with two sections of black and white photographs. The double sided, multi-color, fold-out map is tucked into the rear pocket at the rear paste down. (Dykes 263)
    TB33793  $95.00



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    WPA:  Pennsylvania A Guide to the Keystone State.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1940. First Edition. Very good in decorated gray cloth covered boards with dark red text and decorations on the spine and front board with map end sheets. An octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with spotting to the boards possibly due to mildew and with a prior owner's book plate on the second free end page which has cause wrinkling to that page. In a good unclipped dust jacket with shallow chipping across the upper edge of the spine, a long closed and open tear to the fore edge of the front panel and soiling to the rear panel and spine area. One of the later volumes in American Guide Series and one which is repeatedly given high praise for its coverage of the state. 660 pages including an index, appendices, and illustrated from photographs, maps and with map front end papers. In the pocket at the rear end sheet is the fold-out map (Schoyer, 523; Brewer, 765; Dykes, 278)
    TB33270  $145.00



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    WPA:  A Picture of Lycoming Copunty.  Williamsport: The Commissioners of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, 1939. First Edition. Very good+ in blue cloth covered boards with little left of the gilt text on the spine and slightly slightly chipped gilt text stamped on the front board. A small octavo measuring 7 3/4 by 5 3/8 inches with light rubbing to the cloth at the head and heel of the spine. Without a dust jacket. 219 pages of text and black and white photographs followed by a one page bibliography. Considered "scarce" by Jeffery Dykes in his bibliography/catalog of the series. Currently there are no other copies presently on the Internet market. (Dykes: American Guide Series, 288)
    TB29147  $125.00



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    WPA:  The Records of the Swedish Lutheran Churches At Raccoon And Penns Neck 1713-1786.  Elizabeth, New Jersey: New Jersey Commission to Commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the Settlement by the Swedes and Finns on the Delaware, 1938. First Edition. Near fine in blue cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine. A small quarto of 9 1/8 by 6 inches with a prior owner's name on the first free end page. In a good-, unclipped dust jacket with a large four inch deep chip from the lower section of the front panel which extends onto the lower portion of the spin area. 387 pages including an index. Illustrated with a frontispiece from two black and white photographs. Jeff Dykes in his catalog/check list of the American Guide Series refers to this title as "scarce". (Dykes, American Guide Series, 202)
    TB31682  $125.00




  • WPA:  Rhode Island A Guide to the Smallest State.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1937. First Edition. Fine in simulated red leather cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine and on the front board. An octavo of 8 by 5 1/2 inches with slight rubbing to the cloth at the upper corners of the front board and a prior owner's book plate on the verso of the front free end page. In a near fine, price clipped dust jacket with light wear to the ends of the spine area and to the upper fore corner of the front panel. 500 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, tour guides, and illustrated with maps and eight sections of black and white photographs. The rear pocket on the rear end paper contains the multi-colored, fold-out map of the state which is in excellent condition.
    TB33731  $165.00



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    WPA:  South Carolina A Guide to the Palmetto State.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1941. First Edition. Good in light blue cloth covered boards with dark blue text on the spine with text and decorations on the front board. The cloth at the head and heel of the spine is worn through to the underlying spine lining. The binding is otherwise tight and sound. Without its issued dust jacket. One of the volumes in the American Guide Series. 514 pages with index, 1940 census data for the state, a list of consultants, bibliography, chronology, text, and illustrated with eight sections of black and white photographs in eight sections and three maps within the text and a map on the front end papers. A pocket at the rear end paper contains the fold-out, black and white map of the state which is in very good condition.
    TB33790  $75.00



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    WPA and M. Lisle Reese:  South Dakota A Guide To The State.  New York: Hastings House, 1938, 1952. Second Edition of 1952. Fine in light green cloth covered boards with dark green text on the spine and front board and with illustrated map end papers. A small octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches In a very good+, unclipped dust jacket with shallow chips at the ends of the spine area. The co-author, M. Lisie Reese, was also the editor of the first edition and the director of the Federal Writers' Project in South Dakota. (Scharf/Schoyer) The first edition of this guide is one of the most scarce titles in the series. Only 2,500 copies of the first edition were printing. 441 pages with index, sectional maps to the state, the state census figures for cities and towns from the 1950 Federal Census, tours, bibliography and eight sections of black and white photographs. (Scharf/Schoyer, 567)
    TB33767  $125.00



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    WPA:  A South Dakota Guide.  n.p.: Sponsored by The State of South Dakota, 1938. First Edition. Fine in black cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine. An octavo measuring 8 1/8 by 5 1/4 inches. This may be a more recently bound copy. There is no indication of who bound it or when Missing its original dust jacket. The first edition of this guide is one of the most scarce in the collection. Only 2,500 copies of the first edition were printed. 441 pages with index, sectional maps to the state, bibliography and text. Illustrated with eight sections of black and white photographs. There is no pocket at the rear of the book and the map therein is missing. Jeff Dykes in his American Guide Series Catalog and Check list states: "One of the rarest of the entire series." And, Howes rates this title as "quite scarce". Previous experience with this title by this dealer reveals that another copy had a laid-in letter from the Superintendent of Public Instruction dated April 4, 1942 stating that the state legislature of 1939 abolished the South Dakota Guide Commission and "distributed all unsold copies of the South Dakota Guide to the schools and public libraries of this state." The letter went on to state that the only copies of the book available for "commercial distribution since the enactment of this law were those in the hands of private distributing firms. We know of no place where a copy of this book can be secured at this time." Clearly a strong indicator of why this title remains so elusive in its first edition. (Dykes, 307; Scharf, 566; Powell, 1444; Finlay & Bing, 230; Howes, R-141)
    TB33789  $300.00



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    Federal Writers' Project of the WPA:  Stories Of New Jersey.  New York: M. Barrows And Company, 1938. First Edition, Possible second state binding. Very near fine in light blue cloth covered boards with yellow text on the spine and a partial map of New Jersey with place names on the front board together with the title. A small octavo of 7 1/2 by 5 inches. Without its issued dust jacket. 422 pages of text illustrated from black and white photographs throughout. "Compiled and Written by the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration for the State of New Jersey". Jeff Dykes in his American Guide Series catalog states that this title is "quite scarce". (Dykes, 201; Powell, 1039; Scharf & Schoyer, 385)
    TB33010  $75.00



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    WPA:  The Swedes and Finns in New Jersey.  n.p.: Sponsored by The New Jersey Commissionto Commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the Settlement by the Swedes and Finns on the Delaware, 1938. First Edition. Very good+ in royal blue ribbed cloth covered boards with tarnished gilt text stamping on the spine. The cloth at the head and heel of the spine is lightly rubbed and there is a prior owner's name on the upper fore corner of the first free end page. The end sheets are printed with a map of southern New Jersey. Without it issued dust jacket. A small 4to measuring 9 1/8 by 6 inches. One of the more unusual titles in the American Guide Series as noted on the title page.165 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, text and illustrated with black and white photographs throughout and map end papers.
    TB28672  $85.00



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    WPA:  Tennessee A Guide to the Volunteer State.  New York: The Viking Press, 1939. First Edition. Near fine in green cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine and front board with mild foxing to the glued hinge areas as a result of a reaction with the glue. For our five pages starting at page 19 are mildly creased, but will even out with age. Without its issued dust jacket. One of the volumes in the American Guide Series. 558 pages with index, text, black and white photographs through-out and the fold-out map and its rear pocket missing.
    TB33779  $175.00



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    WPA:  Texas A Guide To The Lone Star State.  New York: Hastings House, 1969. New Revised Edition of 1969. Fine in orange cloth covered boards with black text on the spine and front board. spine. With illustrated end sheets. An octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches. In a very good+, price clipped dust jacket with rubbing to the corners of the spine area and to the corners of the panels. 717 pages including an index, 11 pages of maps with a separate index for same, list of selected readings, chronology, glossary tour guides, text with eight sections of black and white photographs.
    TB33781  $50.00



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    WPA:  Utah A Guide to the State.  New York: Hastings House, 1945. Second Printing of 1945. Fine in light gray cloth covered boards with dark blue text stampings and map end papers. A small octavo of 7 7/8 by 5 1/4 inches. In a very good, price clipped dust jacket with a 1/2 inch deep chip to the upper edge of the spine area and with light wear around the edges of the front panel and lower edge of the spine. One of the volumes in the American Guide Series. 595 pages including an index, chronology, eight sections of black and white photographs, and maps. This is one of the few WPA Guide series titles not called for to have a fold-out map at the rear.
    TB33774  $75.00



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    WPA:  Utah's Story.  Salt Lake City, Utah: Publisher not stated, c1942. First Edition. Near fine in printed, heavy paper wraps over a stapled binding. A small octavo of 7 5/8 by 5 1/4 inches. Without a dust jacket as issued. Compiled by Workers of the Writers' Program of the Work Projects Administration for the State of Utah. Sponsored by the Utah State Institute of Fine Arts and co-sponsored by the Utah State Road Commission. One of the American Guide Series. Starting with a five (v) page index and followed by 90 pages of text and multiple images from black and white photographs. Very uncommon WPA American Guide publication. (Scharf: Selected Publications of the WPA, p.393; Powell: WPA Writers' Publications, 1527; Brewer: The Federal Writers' Project, 802)
    TB33764  $85.00



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    WPA:  Vermont A Guide to the Green Mountain State.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1937. First Edition. Near fine in dark green, simulated leather, paper covered boards with very slight rubbing at the head and heel of the spine. In a very good-, price clipped dust jacket 1/3 inch deep chips across the upper edge of the spine area, a 1 by 1/3 inch chip from the upper fore corner of the front panel and numerous creasing marks around the edges of the panels. One of the earliest volumes in the American Guide Series. 392 pages with index, text and illustrated with eight sections of black and white photographs through-out and with the multi-color, fold-out, double-sided map in the rear pocket which is in excellent condition.
    TB33792  $75.00



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    WPA:  Virginia A Guide to the Old Dominion.  New York: Oxford University Press, c.1940 1964. Seventh Printing of 1964. Near fine in light blue cloth covered boards with dark blue text and decorations on the spine. A Small octavo of 7 7/8 by 5 3/8 inches. In a very good, unclipped dust jacket with a 1/2 inch deep chip to the upper edge of the front panel and three closed tears to the upper edge of the spine area and small chips over the tips of the boards. This printing embodies all of the changes which occured in the third printing which saw a number of corrections and included the 1940 census reports and highway number changes. 710 pages with an index, population figures for the state from the 1940 census for cities and towns. The fold-out map appearing in earlier editions was not issued with this the seventh printing.
    TB33766  $75.00




  • WPA:  Washington A Guide to The Evergreen State.  Portland: Binfords & Mort, 1941. First Edition, First Printing. Very near fine in green cloth covered boards with black decorations (an orca on the front board and a covered wagon on the lower edge of the spine. and black text on the spine and front board. An octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with the spine very slightly faded. Without its issued dust jacket. As pointed out by Schoyer's Books years ago, a first edition is identified by the covered wagon on the spine and the pages bulk to 1 7/8 inches thick. The second to last of the American Guide series to be published. 687 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, maps and photographs in eight sections with the fold-out map which is in excellent shape in the rear pocket.
    TB33734  $200.00



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    WPA:  Washington City and Capital.  Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1937. First Edition. Very good+ in heavy black cloth covered boards with faded gilt text stamping on the spine and illustrated map end sheets. A thick, small quarto measuring 9 by 6 inches with light rubbing to the corners of the spine and to the tips of the boards. Without its issued dust jacket. This was the second volume published in the American Guide Series and is rather uncommon in collectible condition. 1,141 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, text and illustrated with maps and black and white photographs throughout. With both of the two multi-colored maps in the rear pocket (both of which are in fine condition).
    TB32635  $130.00



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    WPA:  Washington, D.C. A Guide to the Nation's Capital.  New York: Hastings House, 1968. Revised Edition of 1968. Fine in light gray cloth covered boards with dark blue text on the spine and on the front board. A small octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with map end papers. There is a prior owner's name on the first free end page. In a near fine, unclipped dust jacket with several closed tears to the upper edge of the spine area which have been repaired with tape on the verso side of the dust jacket. A much less hefty volume than the original printed in 1942. 528 pages including an index, chronology, text and eight sections of photographs.
    TB33787  $90.00



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    WPA:  Whaling Masters.  New Bedford, Mass.: Old Dartmouth Historical Society Whaling Museum, 1938. First Edition ("Reynolds Printing"), First printing. Very good in dark green cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine and front board. An octavo measuring 9 by 6 inches with rubbing and wear to the cloth at the ends of the spine area and a split to the cloth of the front joint which has been professionally repaired and with a prior owner's written notes in pencil at the top of the second free end page and with extensive penciled notes on the last free end pages. Without its issued dust jacket One of the most difficult titles to obtain in the WPA's American Guide Series. 314 pages with 3 illustrations. The book provides the most complete directory of Whaling Captains, their ships and voyages from every whaling port in the US. (Dykes, 143; Powell, 632)
    TB32812  $250.00



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    Powell, Evanell K.:  WPA Writers' Publications.  Palm Beach, Fla.: Self-published, n.d.. First Edition. Very good+ in printed wraps over a stapled binding with the spine and outer edges of the wraps slightly tanned. The contents remain completely intact and are clean. Without a dust jacket as issued. 78 pages of text listing the 1,777 WPA publications known by the author and listed by state. Very uncommon.
    TB33698  $150.00



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    WPA:  Wyoming A Guide to its History, Highways, and People.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1966. Sixth Printing. Fine in decorated light blue cloth covered boards with dark blue text on the front board and spine. A small octavo of 7 7/8 by 5 3/8 inches. In a near fine, price clipped dust jacket with minor wear to the upper edge of the spine area. 490 pages including an index, appendices, and photographs, a map at the front end paper and four city maps within the text.
    TB33772  $50.00






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