Collectible WPA American Guide Series Books
Arranged alphabetically by title.


Rare Federal Writers' Project Travel Guides

Why Collectors Seek the American Guide Series

The American Guide Series was produced under the direction of the Federal Writers' Project, an agency of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), during the Great Depression. The project sent roughly 6,000 authors across the country to document American life, history, folklore, and geography. Poet W. H. Auden called it "one of the noblest and most absurd undertakings ever attempted by a government."

Most collectors associate the American Guide Series with the state and territory tour guides covering the 48 contiguous states, plus Alaska, Puerto Rico, New York City, and Washington, D.C. The Federal Writers' Project used the term more broadly, however, producing hundreds of additional titles on subjects ranging from national parks and rivers to folklore, highways, and community histories. In most cases, authors received fees or stipends in exchange for remaining anonymous, allowing the WPA and the Federal Writers' Project to take authorial credit.

Collectors seek these books for their historical significance as a unique government-sponsored literary project, their often-scarce first-edition bindings and dust jackets, and the window they provide into Depression-era American life. Below is a sampling of the American Guide Series titles currently in our collection, arranged alphabetically by title.

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    WPA:  San Francisco The Bay and Its Cities.  New York: Hastings House, 1940. First Edition. Very good+ 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. Without its issued dust jacket. 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.
    TB31156  $80.00




  • Alsberg, Henry G. (Editor):  The American Guide A Source Book and Complete Travel Guide For The United States.  New York: Hsatings House, 1949. First Edition, First printing. Very good+ in dark blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine and on the front board and with decorated map end papers. The head and heel of the spine are slightly turned in and the hinge areas at the end pages are beginning to tan due to the hight acid content of the glue used in binding. This book undetakes what the WPA's American Guide Series was not able to accomplish, that is to create a tour guide for the entire United States in one volume. 1348 pages with an index.
    TB16459  $24.50



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    Selvaggio, Marc S.:  The American Guide Series: Works by the Federal Writers' Project.  Pittsburgh, PA: Arthur Scharf, Bookseller and Schoyer's Books, n.d. (1990). . Fine in heavy printed paper wraps over an adhesive binding. A small quarto measuring 10 5/8 by 8 1/8 inches. Without a dust jacket as issued. 176 pages. Essentially a catalog of 872 items organized by state. Extremely useful as a price guide and bibliographic reference for the WPA Federal Writers' Projects.
    TB33844  $75.00



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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. The tan buckram binding assures the first state binding for this title. 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:  The Armenians In Massachusetts.  Boston: The Armenian Historical Society, 1937. First Edition. Fine in pebbled, blue cloth covered boards with yellow text on the spine and on the front board and map end pages. A small octavo of 7 3/4 by 5 3/8 inches. In a near fine, unclipped dust jacket with hints of soiling to the spine area and light rubbing to the colors on the fold to the front panel. One of the more obscure volumes in the WPA's collection of volumes in the American Guide Series. 145 pages followed by a bibliography and an index and illustrated with black and white photographs. A beautiful, handsome and clean copy, never read and without any prior ownership markings of any kind.
    TB33932  $275.00




  • WPA:  Augusta.  Augusta, Ga.: City Council of Augusta, 1938. First Edition. Near fine in light gray cloth covered boards with white inside of red lettered text on the spine and on the front board together with blue text for the American Guide Series. An octavo of 9 by 6 inches with a prior owner's address label on the front paste down. The contents are in perfect condition. Without a dust jacket. Jeff Dykes states in his American Guide Series catalog and check list that this title is "scarce". 218 pages including an index and bibliography and text. Illustrated with black and white images from photographs and two fold-out maps: one of the City of Augusta and a second of the surrounding area. (Scjarf/Schoyer, 159; Dykes, 61; Powell, 256; Brewer. 603)
    TB33967  $175.00



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    WPA:  Augusta Hallowell on the Kennebec.  Kennebec: Augusta-Hallowell Chamber of Commerce, 1940. First Edition. Very good+ in heavy textured paper wraps with blue text on the front panel and with the edges of the panels tanned as is the spine area over an adhesive binding. An octavo of 9 by 6 inches with a prior owner's name written at the upper edge of the front cover and the front and rear covers are beginning to separate from the text block. This problem has been mitigated with the application of clear acrylic tape to the spine and covers. 123 pages with an index, a bibliography, a chronology and brown and white photographs with the three fold- out maps of the city streets of Augusta, Hallowell and the general area at the rear. Part of the American Guide Series and quite scarce as it is not cited in Scharf/Schoyers, but is listed in Jeff Dykes' American Guide Series catalog/bibliography (124) as being "very scarce".
    TB33849  $95.00



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    Mellon, James, Editor:  Bullwhip Days The Slaves Remember.  New York: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, (1988). First Edition, First Printing. Fine in 1/4 black cloth and black paper covered boards with silver colored text on the spine. A small quarto of 9 1/8 by 6 inches with prior owner's book plate on the first free end page and his library stamp at the top edge of that page. In a fine, unclipped dust jacket with a tiny nick to the upper fore corner of the front panel. 460 pages of text with black and white images from photographs. This title contains the full interviews of 29 former slaves of the nearly two thousand interviews conducted by employees of the Federal Writers Project (a division of the WPA) conducted between 1934 and 1941 now know as the Slave Narrative Collection in the possession of the Library of Congress.
    TB33976  $95.00



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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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    Digges, Jeremiah:  Cape Cod Pilot.  Provincetown: Modern Pilgrim Press, 1937. Second Printing of August 1937. Very good in yellow cloth covered boards with soiling to the spine and boards and with the cloth on the spine and boards lightly soiled and with a prior owner's name and date on the fly title page. Without its issued dust jacket. One of the volumes in the American Guide Series funded by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). This is one of the few volumes produced by the WPA which allowed an author's name to appear on the title page. In this case the author's name, Jeremiah Digges, is a pseudonym used by Josef Berger who wrote the book during his spare time while working for the WPA. 403 pages including an index, text and illustrated with black and white photographs throughout and map end papers.
    TB33838  $80.00



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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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    Heermance (Compiler) , Edgar L.:  The Connecticut Guide What To See And Where To Find It.  Hartford: Emergency Relief Commission, 1935. Second Printing of June, 1935. Near fine in heavy, light green printed paper wraps over an adhesive binding with map front end papers. A small octavo measuring 8 3/8 by 5 1/4 inches containing 320 pages including an index. The spine is very slightly tanned and with a slight list. Without a dust jacket as issued. As recognized in Jerre Mangione's study of the WPA's Federal Writer's Project on page 46, The Connecticut Guide What to See And Where To Find It "helped to clinch the plan of preparing a series of state guides that could employ the services of researchers and all kinds of writers." "Although The Connecticut Guide fell short of the standards that were later" to be established for "the American Guide Series, it did provide the model for WPA's series". This title is also recognized in the American Guide Series volume for Connecticut as the "predecessor and inspiration" for the series.
    TB33840  $75.00



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    WPA:  Death Valley A Guide.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1939. First Edition. Very good in printed, heavy paper wraps over an adhesive binding. A small quarto measuring 9 1/4 by 6 1/4 inches with wear and rubbing to the folds to the spine and around the edges of the covers. Without a dust jacket as issued. This volume was written and compiled by the Federal Writers' Project of the WPA of Northern California and is part of the American Guide Series. 75 pages with index and a fold-out, double-sided map at the rear end paper.
    TB33842  $50.00



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    WPA:  Delaware A Guide to the First State.  New York: The Viking Press, 1938. Second Printing. Very good+ in light blue cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine and front board. The cloth on the spine is slightly faded and the front end sheets are tanned due to the glue used in binding. . Reportedly the first printing of the book was restricted to only 10,000 copies. 549 pages with index, bibliography, chronology, text, maps and photographs through-out with the fold-out map of the state in a rear pocket of the book.
    TB33795  $75.00



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    WPA:  Festivals in San Francisco.  Stanford University: James Ladd Delkin and the Grabhorn Press, 1939. First Edition. Very good+ in 1/4 tan buckram cloth and yellow paper covered boards with the illustration of a lady with floor lenght, light blue dress with a service tray and with candles on her head. There is a printed paper label with red text adhered to the spine. A small quarto of 10 1/2 by 7 inches with light foxing to the buckram and light soiling to the paper on the boards. This copy lacks a dust jacket and evidently one has not been seen on any copy to date. One of only 1,000 copies printed at The Grabhorn Press in 1939. 67 pages printed in red and black. Illustrated with a color frontispiece, three color plates and 12 color chapter headings by by Pauline Vinson. As stated in the Scharf/Schoyer catalog on page 11: "Possibly the most handsome of all productions in the American Guide Series. The text provides descriptions of 41 festivals held in the city by various ethnic groups...." And Jeff Dykes indicated that this title is "scarce". (Scharf/Schoyer; 67; Dykes, 23; Powell, 80; Brewer, 575)
    TB34005  $300.00



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    Colby, Merle:  A Guide to Alaska Last American Frontier.  New York: The Macmillan Company, c1939, 1941. Reprint of August, 1941, Third Printing. 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 gift inscription on the fly title page and with a small Juneau bookseller's label on the title pag; otherwise, fine. In a very good-, unclipped dust jacket with a "v" shaped chip one inch deep on the upper rear corner of the front panel, 1/2 inch deep chips across most of the upper edge of the spine area and 1/8 inch deep chips across the lower edge of the spine area and chips over the upper fore 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. Other than tape stains at the corners of the fold-out map it is in excellent condition. One of the few volumes in the American Guide Series to carry a specific author's name.
    TB34001  $85.00



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    WPA:  A Guide to The United States Naval Academy.  New York: Devin-Adair Company, 1941. First Edition. Very good in light blue-gray cloth covered boards with black text on the spine and a gilt anchor on a black background on the front board. A small octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with the cloth rubbed through at both ends of the spine. Without its issued dust jacket. The contents are extremely clean and neat with no prior ownership markings of any kind. Compiled by the WPA's Writers' Program for the State of Maryland and is one of the volumes in the American Guide Series. 158 pages including an index, bibliography, a listing of Naval Academy Slang, text and illustrated with images from black and white photographs and sketches. (Dykes, 129; Scharf/Schoyer, 251; Powell, 577)
    TB33999  $175.00



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    Federal Writers' Project Of Ohio:  Guide to Tuscarawas County.  New Philadelphia, Ohio: The New Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, 1939. First Edition. Good in printed, heavy paper wraps over an adhesive binding. An octavo of 8 7/8 by 5 7/8 inches with the spineback split, but holding and with a significant lean to the spine. Without a dust jacket as issued. Said by Jeff Dykes in his catalog/bibliography that this title is "scarce". 119 pages of text with a chronology of the county's history. Illustrated with maps and black and white images from photographs. (Brewer, 734; Dykes, 255; Scharf/Schoyer, 493; Powell, 1282)
    TB33826  $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:  In The Land Of Breathitt.  Northport, NY: Bacon, Percy & Daggett, (1941). First Edition. Near fine in dark blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine and on the front board. An octavo of 8 1/4 by 5 3/4 inches with the gilt text on the spine slightly faded, but still clear enough to be easily read. Without its issued dust jacket. 165 pages including an index, points of interest and text. Illustrated with images from black and white photographs including a frontispiece and 13 plates. The gilt title on the cover adds the subtitle: "A Guide to the Feud Country". (Scharf/Schoyer, 208; Powell, 575; Brewer, 634; Not listed in Dykes)
    TB34004  $200.00




  • WPA:  The Intercoastal Waterway Norfolk to Key West.  Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, 1937. First Edition. Very good+ in heavy paper, printed wraps over an adhesive binding with black text on the spine, and black text and decorations on the front cover. A small quarto of 9 1/8 by 5 7/8 inches with slight fading to the spine and around the edges of the covers. The first and only printing of this title. Without a dust jacket as issued. 143 pages of text including an index. Jeff Dykes states in his American Guide Series catalog and check list that this title is "very early and very scarce...." Illustrated throughout with black and white images from photographs including a nautical frontispiece and 29 images within the text. Tipped-on to the rear inside cover is a large fold-out map of the entire Intercoastal Waterway from Key West to Norfolk and an inset showing the Intercoastal through North Carolina with all of its side routes. (Scharf & Schoyer, 698; Dykes, 400; Powell, 1763)
    TB33964  $125.00



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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.
    TB33796  $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




  • Botkin, B. (Ben) A.:  Lay My Burden Down A Folk History Of Slavery.  Chicago: University of Chicago Press, (1945). First Edition, First Printing. Near fine in printed cloth covered boards with tan text on the dark spine. A small quarto of 9 by 6 inches with minor hints of rubbing to the corners of the spine. In a very good, unclipped dust jacket with large chips from the ends of the spine area, a 1/2 inch chip from the lower edge of the front panel, several short closed tears and creasing at the top edge of the same and one short closed tear at the upper edge of the rear panel. 286 pages of text and illustrated with a frontispiece black and white image from a photograph and eight pages of black and white images from photographs. The narratives contained within this title result from the efforts of employees of the WPA in their efforts to interview the then survivors of slavery. Unfortunately, the finished product was never published by the WPA or any of its subsidiary organizations, probably a result of racial bias in the 30s and 40s. It is for that reason this dealer has placed this title under the topical heading of WPA, American Guide Series and Federal Writers' Project.
    TB33987  $85.00



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    WPA:  Livingston The Story of a Community.  n.p. (Livingston, NJ): Progress Publishing Company and sponsored by the Township of Livingston, 1939. First Edition. Very good+ in brick red cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine and front board together with a blind embossed town seal on the front board and with illustrated end papers. An octavo of 9 by 6 inches with printed end sheets. There is a prior owner's name and address written at the lower corner of the first free end page. Without its issued dust jacket. 166 pages including an index, text and illustrated with a section of black and white photographs and a map of the township. As stated on the title page this is one of the volumes from the WPA's American Guide Series and one which is extremely uncommon.
    TB33009  $50.00



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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:  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. Laid-in at the front of the book is a New York Times reprint of the February, 1942 review of this title. 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.
    TB29614  $75.00



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    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, 1938. First Editon, in first state binding. Near fine in dark blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the spine and on the front board with foxing to the end sheets a result of a reaction to the glues used in binding and with three small stains to the fore edge of the text block. There is a Christmas gift inscription on the second free end page. In a very good+, unclipped dust jacket with 1/4 inch deep chipping to the lower edge of the spine area, shallow wear and rubbing to the upper corners of same and nicks over the tips of the boards. This is the first state binding of three different binding states. 523 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, text and 53 pages of black and white photographs near the front of the book and with 12 maps within the body of the text. The multi-colored map of the state is contained within the rear pocket. The map is in excellent condition. (Scharf & Schoyer, 239; Dykes, 149; Powell, 704)
    TB33945  $200.00



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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:  Missouri A Guide to The 'Show Me' State.  New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce, (1941). First Edition, Second Printing only showing on the dust jacket. Fine in gray cloth covered boards with bright 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. In a very good+, unclipped dust jacket with a 1/2 inch deep chip by 1 1/4 inch long chip to the upper edge of the rear panel and nicks to the corners of the front panel. As noted above only the front flap of the jacket states "second printing" with no date on the title page and at the same price the first edition was priced ($2.75). 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)
    TB33944  $130.00



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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



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    WPA:  New Hampshire A Guide to the Granite State.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., c.1938. Reprint. Very good in royal blue cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine and on the front board. The cloth at the head and heel of the spine is slightly worn and rubbed. A small octavo measuring 8" by 5 1/4". Without its issued dust jacket. 559 pages with index, text, black and illustrated with eight sections of black and white photographs with a map of the state's roads on the front end sheets.
    TB27097  $45.00



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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 Orleans City Guide.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1938. First Edition. Near fine in heavy blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stamping on the front board and on the spine. The front end sheet is printed with the street map of the city. In a very good-, price clipped dust jacket with 1/4" deep chips across the upper edge of the spine area and with small chips from the lower edge of the spine area, small chips over the tips of the boards and several closed tears and creases to the rear panel. A pocket at the rear end paper contains a very fine, multi-colored map of the city. 430 pages containing an index, bibliography, a glossary, a chronology, a checklist of noted personalities of the city, text and illustrated with eight sections of black and white photographs.
    TB33943  $125.00



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    WPA:  New York A Guide to the Empire State.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1962. Eighth Printing. Fine in light blue cloth covered boards with black text and decorations on the spine and front board. An octavo of 8 by 5 1/2 inches. In a very good+, price clipped dust jacket with shallow wear to the ends of the spine area. 782 pages including an index, appendices, chronology, text and with eight sections of photographs.
    TB33773  $60.00



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    WPA:  North Dakota A Guide To the Northern Prairie State.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1968. Second Edition, Second Printing. 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 dust jacket taped to the end sheets of the boards and with the typical library stampings throughout. In a very good+, price clipped dust jacket with the jacket taped to the book. 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.
    TB33937  $40.00



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    WPA:  The Ohio Guide.  New York: Oxford University Press, 1962. Eighth Printing of 1962. Very good+ in light blue 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 sheets with light rubbing to the cloth at the corners of the spine area. Without its issued dust jacket. One of the volumes in the American Guide Series. 634 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, text and 8 sections of black and white images from photographs and with 17 maps within the text. (Schoyer, 475)
    TB33828  $70.00



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    WPA:  Oklahoma A Guide To The Sooner State.  Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1945 c. 1941. Second Edition, Third printing. Very good+ in dark blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stampings on the spine and front board. An octavo of 8 by 5 3/8 inches with rubbing to the cloth at the head and heel of the spine and a dent at the fore edge of the front board and the cloth rubbed through at the tips of the boards. In a very good-, price clipped dust jacket with 1/8 inch deep chips across the upper edge of the spine area, and rubbing to the edge of the lower edge of the spine area and flecking of the colors at the ends of the spine area and there is an ink check mark on the upper fore edge of the first free end page. This was the last state guide issued in the American Guide Series. 445 pages including an index, appendices, and photographs in eight sections, maps and with the fold-out map in the rear pocket which is in excellent condition.
    TB33989  $125.00




  • WPA:  Oregon End of The Trail.  Portland: Binfords & Mort, c1940. Third Printing. Very good+ in green 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. The map is in perfect condition. (Dykes 263)
    TB34039  $125.00



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    WPA:  The Oregon Trail.  New York: Hastings House, 1939. First Edition second state. Very good+ in decorated heavy tan colored buckram covered boards with brown text and decorations stamped on the spine and on the front board. The end papers are mildly foxed due to the glues used in binding. The spine is slightly tanned and the cloth over the rear lower board tip is roughly warn. Without its issued dust jacket. 244 pages including an index, bibliography, appendices and illustrated with 26 reproductions of contemporary art work and photographs. This is the second state of the first edition which shows no mention of US 30 on the binding or on the title page. This volume remains in collectible condition and has the multi-colored map tipped-in at the rear end paper.
    TB33938  $100.00




  • WPA:  Our Washington A Comphrensive Album of the Nation's Capital in Words and Pictures.  Chicago: A. C. McClurg & Co., 1939. First Edition, First Printing. Very good+ in beige cloth covered boards with bold gilt text on the spine and a gilt bordered on red title block on the front board. A small quarto of 10 by 7 inches with tanning to the cloth of the backstrip and to the boards. The photographic front end sheets show that something had been removed causing some slight damage. Missing its issued dust jacket. 179 pages of text and illustrated with maps and black and white photographs. A much abbreviated version of Washington City and Capital. (Dykes, American Guide Series, 389; Brewer, Federal Writers' Project, 811; Scharf/Schoyer, American Guide Series, 687)
    TB34031  $125.00



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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 wear and rubbing to the cloth at the corner of the spine and to the lower tips of the boards. The front paste down has a name of a prior owner Missing its issued dust jacket. 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)
    TB33549  $90.00



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    WPA:  Pennsylvania Cavalcade.  Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1942. First Edition, First Printing. Fine in tan buckram cloth covered boards with dark blue text stamping and decorations on the spine and front board. An octavo of 8 1/2 by 6 inches. In a fine, unclipped dust jacket. One of the many volumes in the WPA's American Guide Series co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies. This works comprises a collection of historical sketches dealing with the people and places in Pennsylvania. 462 pages including an index, bibliography, text and illustrated with map end papers and engravings within the text.
    TB33845  $175.00



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    WPA:  A Picture of Lycoming County.  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:  Savannah.  Savannah: Sponsored by the Savannah Chamber of Commerce, 1937. First Edition. Very good+ in green cloth covered boards with vertical yellow text on the spine and a paper map pasted to the front board with illustrated end sheets. An octavo measuring 9 by 6 3/4 inches with the front and rear hinges reinforced. Without a dust jacket as issued, but contained within a clear acetate cover. 208 pages including an index, text and illustrated with line drawings of prominent buildings within the city. A very attractive copy of an uncommon title in the American Guide Series. (Schoyer List #10, 104; Dykes 65; Powell/WPA 273; Brewer, 607)
    TB33966  $225.00




  • 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 on the backstrip is spotted with mildew. The binding is otherwise tight and sound. A small octavo of 8 by 5 1/4 inches. In a near fine, unclipped dust jacket with minor wear to the ends of the spine area and over the tips of the boards. 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 black and white images from 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 perfect, undamaged condition. (Scharf/Schoyer, 564; Dykes, 297; Powell, 1429; Brewer, 778)
    TB33954  $165.00



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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




  • Turchen, Lesta Van Der Wert:  South Dakota MSS. (Manuscripts).  Freeman, South Dakota: Dakota Wesleyan University Press, 1988. Limited Facsimile Edition. Fine in illustrated, heavy blue paper wraps over an adhesive binding with black text on the spine. A quarto of 11 1/8 by 8 5/8 inches with light wear to the heel of the spine. Without a dust jacket as issued. A "facsimile reprint of all nine issues of this very scarce "after-hours" magazine, published by the SD Project, August 1936-August 1937. (Schoyer's Antiquarian Books). This reprint was limited to 500 copies. 221 pages of text including an index. A collection of anecdotes, "short stories, articles, poems and features" (Introduction) all which provide "an important source of South Dakota folklore." (Schoyer's Antiquarian Books, List #10 p.12)
    TB33956  $125.00



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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:  U.S. One Maine to Florida.  New York: Modern Age Books, Inc., 1938. First Edition. Near fine in decorated tan cloth covered boards with blue and red text and decorations on the spine and front board with foxing to the end papers due to the glues used in binding. In a very good, unclipped dust jacket with 1/4 inch deep chips across the upper edge of the spine area and a 1/2 inch chip from the upper fore corner of the spine area and several short closed tears to the upper and lower edges of the front panel. The spine is slightly tanned. 344 pages with an index, a list of annual events along US 1, text, and black and white photographs through-out. with the colored, fold-out map tipped-in at the rear of the book of Route 1 showing its route from Fort Kent in Maine to Key West, Florida. One of the more scarce titles in the American Guide Series.
    TB33931  $95.00



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    WPA:  Utah A Guide to the State.  New York: Hastings House, 1941. First Edition. Very near fine in dark blue cloth covered boards with gilt text stampings on the spine and front board and with map end sheets. A small octavo measuring 8" by 5 3/8 inches with very slight fading to the cloth at the head of the spine and with a prior owner's name on the first free end page. In a very good- dust jacket with the price intact on the front flap, but with a 1/3 inch deep chip at the upper fore corner of the spine area, a 1 1/2 inch narrow chip on the upper rear corner of the spine area and chipping over the tips of the boards. One of the American Guide Series. 595 pages including an index, chronology, photographs, and maps. This is one of the few WPA Amercian Guide series titles not called for to have a map at the rear.
    TB33949  $135.00



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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



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    WPA:  Warren County A History and Guide.  n.p. (Warren County, New York): Warren County Board of Supervisors, 1942. First Edition. Near fine in light gray-green cloth covered boards with dark blue text on the spine and on the front board. The cloth at the head and heel of the spine is very slightly faded. A small octavo measuring 7 5/8 by 5 1/4 inches. In a very good+ unclipped (no price) dust jacket with 1/4 inch deep chipping at the ends of the spine area and with several short closed tears to the edges of the panels. Warren County is in the heart of the Lake George valley. Given the history of the area full chapters are devoted to the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Considered "quite scarce" by Jeff Dykes in his 1966 American Guide Series catalog. (Dykes 227; not listed in Schoyers 1998 but in supplement #10; not in Brewer.) 275 pages including an index, appendices, text and illustrated with seven sections of black and white photographs. In the rear pocket of the book is a fold-out street map of Glens Falls and a second fold-out map of the highways and landmarks of Warren County. Both maps are in pristine condition. (Powell, 1200; Dykes, 227)
    TB33847  $175.00



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    WPA:  Washington A Guide to The Evergreen State.  Portland: Binfords & Mort, 1941. First Edition, Probable Second Printing. Very good in green cloth covered boards with black decorations (an orca on the front board and a man on a horse reading a book on the spine) and black text on the spine and front board. All four corners are bumped. The pages bulk to 1 3/4 inches. Without its issued dust jacket. As pointed out by Schoyer's Books years ago, a first printing is identified by the covered wagon on the spine and the pages bulk to 1 7/8 inches thick. The second printing shows a man on horse back reading a book at the lower end of the spine and on the title page with the pages bulking to only 1 3/4 inches. 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.
    TB33833  $125.00




  • WPA:  Washington City and Capital.  Washington, DC: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1937. First Edition. Near fine in heavy black cloth covered boards with gilt text on the spine and with illustrated map end sheets. A thick, small quarto measuring 9 by 6 inches with no flaws of any kind. A copy which does not appear to have been read. In only a good, unclipped dust jacket due to a two inch deep chip at the upper edge of the spine area; 3/4 inch chips from the upper corners of the front and rear panels; shallow chipping from the lower edge of the spine area; and, heavy rubbing to the folds to the flaps and several tape repairs applied to the verso of the jacket. 1,141 pages including an index, bibliography, chronology, text and illustrated with maps and images from black and white photographs throughout. With both of the two multi-colored maps in the rear pocket (both of which are in fine condition). This was the second volume published in the American Guide Series and despite its first printing of 5,000 copies collectible copies with the maps are rather uncommon and to locate one in a dust jacket is nearly impossible.
    TB33968  $750.00



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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. Near fine 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.
    TB33551  $175.00



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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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