Commerce

Best.-Nr. 21914 — Very Good. KEY WEST SHOPPING AND VACATION GUIDE A vibrant mid-century time capsule of the Island City at the end of U.S. 1. This comprehensive guide authored by Sue Jones captures Key West during the final years of its intimate pre-mass-tourism era. Boasting bold nautical graphics and a staggering 18-page business directory the booklet documents a community where Havana was a ferry-ride away and 'Quaint Bahaman Architecture' defined the local aesthetic. Accompanied by the original newspaper supplement from the 'Coral Tribune' this set provides an uncommonly deep look at the commercial and social geography of 1957 Florida. KEY FEATURES Visuals: Features bold high-contrast woodblock-style graphics including a full-page aerial view of the island and stylized illustrations of the Municipal Aquarium and local landmarks. Binding & Content: Original stapled pictorial wraps in a striking blue and yellow nautical motif. 52 pages comprising local history sightseeing routes and an exhaustive 18-page Business Directory capturing the town's pre-digital infrastructure. Associated Ephemera: Includes the original 'Your Vacation Guide' newspaper supplement from the 'Coral Tribune' featuring a map of Key West and a reproduction of an original watercolor by Klir Beck. Imprint: Official Publication of the Key West Chamber of Commerce c. 1957. Specs: Booklet: 5.5 x 8.5 inches; 52 pages. Newspaper: 10.75 x 15.75 inches. CONDITION: Overall Grade: Very Good. The Booklet: The bindings are tight and square. The wraps show moderate shelf handling wear and a small fold at the top front corner. Internal: The text block is clean and free of markings. There is light even age-toning throughout with a more pronounced area of toning on the inside front wrap where the newspaper supplement was long laid-in. The Supplement: The newspaper shows standard fold lines and age-toning but remains intact and serves as a significant contextual offset to the booklet. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE -- Key West in 1957 was a city in transition. While the guide celebrates the 'Old Island' charm and 100-year-old mahogany buildings the frequent mentions of the Naval Annex and the growing shrimp industry point to an island increasingly integrated into the national economy. The presence of the Coral Tribune supplement dated 1956/57 in the text is vital. Most ephemeral guides were separated from their newspaper inserts within days of arrival; finding the two items still together provides a 'composite artifact' that allows for a much more granular study of local advertising and civic branding than a standalone booklet. SCHOLARLY FEATURES Social History: Documents a specific mid-century cultural nexus where Key West served as the primary gateway to Havana Cuba evidenced by advertisements for the 'S/S City of Havana' ferry and 'Simone's Tours'. Graphic Design: The booklet utilizes 'Scraperboard' and 'Linocut' aesthetic styles typical of mid-century coastal tourism branding emphasizing a 'tropical-industrial' vibe e.g. the power plant and shrimp fleet illustrations. Urban Development: The directory and text provide a census-level look at businesses before the 1960s development boom recording now-lost shops and 'unnecessary noises prohibited' inns like the Bottlecap Inn. SUBJECTS: Key West History Florida Tourism 1950s Advertising Cuba-Florida Relations Business Directories Regional Printing Ephemera Travel Guide Newspaper Supplement. unknown