Manuscript Guest Book, 1937-1955
- San Francisco, CA , 1937
San Francisco, CA, 1937. Near Fine. San Francisco or San Mateo, CA: 1937-1955. Octavo (21.5cm); recent full crimson morocco wallet binding elaborately tooled in gilt, interior bound in diced turquoise morocco, housed in matching slipcase; each leaf pressure stamped with a small message in what appears to be Farsi; [190]pp. of which more than two-thirds are filled with autograph notes from visitors. Textblock a bit finger-soiled, else a Fine example in an opulent new binding.
Guest book for the busy and successful Bay Area power couple Ralph and Violette Lee, who resided in San Mateo for most of the first half of the 20th century. More than five hundred guests passed through their home between 1937 and 1955, including visitors from Shanghai, Palestine, Rome, Prussia, Burma, Panama, England, Canada, and Hawaii.
The Palestinian businessman Suleiman Tannous, an early guest, wrote that "It is a great privilege to see a typical American home. The hospitality I had in this home was above my expectations." Indeed, the messages throughout this volume indicate a totally atypical American home: "Listening to Schubert's 'Litany' on your beautiful organ reminds me of the warmth and hospitality of your beautiful home.
Guest book for the busy and successful Bay Area power couple Ralph and Violette Lee, who resided in San Mateo for most of the first half of the 20th century. More than five hundred guests passed through their home between 1937 and 1955, including visitors from Shanghai, Palestine, Rome, Prussia, Burma, Panama, England, Canada, and Hawaii.
The Palestinian businessman Suleiman Tannous, an early guest, wrote that "It is a great privilege to see a typical American home. The hospitality I had in this home was above my expectations." Indeed, the messages throughout this volume indicate a totally atypical American home: "Listening to Schubert's 'Litany' on your beautiful organ reminds me of the warmth and hospitality of your beautiful home.