Description

[Elliot, William]. The Washington Guide. Washington: Printed and sold by S.A. Elliot, 1826. Second edition. 32mo. viii, 138, [2], 139-150 pp. Bound in later 3/4 green Moroccan over green cloth coveted boards; gilt titling to spine, four raised bands; all edges marbled, marbled endpapers. The title is cited by the House of Represented as having no illustrations [History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives, "The Washington Guide,"], and indeed none are present in this example; the preface alludes to a map, however, though it is not expressly stated if this or other plates would have been bound in. No loose pages or disturbances to binding noted. Moderate wear, leather rubbed along front joint and spine ends, some bubbling to the cloth on front cover. Rear hinge starting with paper tear at gutter. Pages are bright and supple. Binding firm. Ex-university library with single ink stamp on blank in rear of text. No other markings, internal or external. A very good copy of this scarce early city guide for the “business traveler” or casual visitor to Washington, D.C., written shortly after the War of 1812 and first published in 1822. Landmark buildings were few, so the text goes into great detail about structures that did exist, as well as the varieties of trees and plants to be found in the city's many green spaces, and the fish that inhabited the Anacostia (or Eastern Branch) and Potomac rivers. Even detailed descriptions of the weather were included in this guidebook.