Scarce 1st Edition first printing of John Betjeman's Shell Guide to Cornwall 1934
Scarce 1st Edition first printing of the Shell Guide to Cornwall (1934), the first issue of the Shell Guides series edited by poet, writer, and broadcaster, John Betjeman. Four coloured maps and numerous large single page and double page full bleed images printed on intermittent pale pink papers. Advertisement for Shell on the Road at the rear by Edward Bawden.
The Shell Guides to the British counties were published between 1934 and 1984. Conceived by John Betjeman, then assistant editor for Architectural Review, in partnership with the Shell oil company, the series was Betjemen’s response to the pomposity of earlier travel guides which consisted mostly of the lands and country houses of royalty and nobility. The first Shell Guide was authored by Betjeman himself under the title “Cornwall: Illustrated in a series of views of Castles, Seats of the Nobility, Mines, Picturesque Scenery, Towns, Public Buildings, Antiquities, etc.” – a dig at the grandiose long-winded descriptions found in 19th century guide books.
Betjemen’s guide to Cornwall consists of a preface, gazetteer, various features on sailing, hunting and fishing, as well as essays on Cornish birds, flowers, and farmhouse recipes. His editorial style was informal and he encouraged his authors to approach their subject from a distinctly personal viewpoint. Not always wholly complimentary, Betjemen describes Newquay in the present volume as: “An interesting specimen of early 20th century seaside style. That is to say it consists of corrugated rows of villas, enormous hotels, flashing shops and pierrots, piers and concert halls.’
Title: Cornwall Illustrated in a series of views of Castles, Seats of the Nobility, Mines, Picturesque Scenery, Towns, Public Buildings, Antiquities, etc.
Author: John Betjeman (ed.)
Publisher: The Architectural Press, London
Publication date: June 1934
Format: card covers in spiral wire binding
Pages: 62pp.
Images: Four coloured maps and numerous black and white photographs throughout. Advertisement for Shell on the Road at the rear by Edward Bawden
Condition: Good. Covers rubbed and creased, upper cover slightly detached from the ring binding, price clipped at lower right corner, a short tear and faint pencil annotations to page 11. Spotting throughout. Otherwise a good example of a very scarce title.
Stock Number: RB01912
Scarce 1st Edition first printing of the Shell Guide to Cornwall (1934), the first issue of the Shell Guides series edited by poet, writer, and broadcaster, John Betjeman. Four coloured maps and numerous large single page and double page full bleed images printed on intermittent pale pink papers. Advertisement for Shell on the Road at the rear by Edward Bawden.
The Shell Guides to the British counties were published between 1934 and 1984. Conceived by John Betjeman, then assistant editor for Architectural Review, in partnership with the Shell oil company, the series was Betjemen’s response to the pomposity of earlier travel guides which consisted mostly of the lands and country houses of royalty and nobility. The first Shell Guide was authored by Betjeman himself under the title “Cornwall: Illustrated in a series of views of Castles, Seats of the Nobility, Mines, Picturesque Scenery, Towns, Public Buildings, Antiquities, etc.” – a dig at the grandiose long-winded descriptions found in 19th century guide books.
Betjemen’s guide to Cornwall consists of a preface, gazetteer, various features on sailing, hunting and fishing, as well as essays on Cornish birds, flowers, and farmhouse recipes. His editorial style was informal and he encouraged his authors to approach their subject from a distinctly personal viewpoint. Not always wholly complimentary, Betjemen describes Newquay in the present volume as: “An interesting specimen of early 20th century seaside style. That is to say it consists of corrugated rows of villas, enormous hotels, flashing shops and pierrots, piers and concert halls.’
Title: Cornwall Illustrated in a series of views of Castles, Seats of the Nobility, Mines, Picturesque Scenery, Towns, Public Buildings, Antiquities, etc.
Author: John Betjeman (ed.)
Publisher: The Architectural Press, London
Publication date: June 1934
Format: card covers in spiral wire binding
Pages: 62pp.
Images: Four coloured maps and numerous black and white photographs throughout. Advertisement for Shell on the Road at the rear by Edward Bawden
Condition: Good. Covers rubbed and creased, upper cover slightly detached from the ring binding, price clipped at lower right corner, a short tear and faint pencil annotations to page 11. Spotting throughout. Otherwise a good example of a very scarce title.
Stock Number: RB01912
Scarce 1st Edition first printing of the Shell Guide to Cornwall (1934), the first issue of the Shell Guides series edited by poet, writer, and broadcaster, John Betjeman. Four coloured maps and numerous large single page and double page full bleed images printed on intermittent pale pink papers. Advertisement for Shell on the Road at the rear by Edward Bawden.
The Shell Guides to the British counties were published between 1934 and 1984. Conceived by John Betjeman, then assistant editor for Architectural Review, in partnership with the Shell oil company, the series was Betjemen’s response to the pomposity of earlier travel guides which consisted mostly of the lands and country houses of royalty and nobility. The first Shell Guide was authored by Betjeman himself under the title “Cornwall: Illustrated in a series of views of Castles, Seats of the Nobility, Mines, Picturesque Scenery, Towns, Public Buildings, Antiquities, etc.” – a dig at the grandiose long-winded descriptions found in 19th century guide books.
Betjemen’s guide to Cornwall consists of a preface, gazetteer, various features on sailing, hunting and fishing, as well as essays on Cornish birds, flowers, and farmhouse recipes. His editorial style was informal and he encouraged his authors to approach their subject from a distinctly personal viewpoint. Not always wholly complimentary, Betjemen describes Newquay in the present volume as: “An interesting specimen of early 20th century seaside style. That is to say it consists of corrugated rows of villas, enormous hotels, flashing shops and pierrots, piers and concert halls.’
Title: Cornwall Illustrated in a series of views of Castles, Seats of the Nobility, Mines, Picturesque Scenery, Towns, Public Buildings, Antiquities, etc.
Author: John Betjeman (ed.)
Publisher: The Architectural Press, London
Publication date: June 1934
Format: card covers in spiral wire binding
Pages: 62pp.
Images: Four coloured maps and numerous black and white photographs throughout. Advertisement for Shell on the Road at the rear by Edward Bawden
Condition: Good. Covers rubbed and creased, upper cover slightly detached from the ring binding, price clipped at lower right corner, a short tear and faint pencil annotations to page 11. Spotting throughout. Otherwise a good example of a very scarce title.
Stock Number: RB01912
