The HMMBA in California

Pasadena, California, 1896. First Edition First Printing . Hardcover. Near Fine. The HMMBA (Hotel Men's Mutual Benefit Association) was an organization comprised of the leading hotel men in the US, created in Chicago, IL, in 1879. They held annual meetings around the country, & while in each area, engaged in "excursion parties.with the entertainment on so colossal a scale that all who attended were amazed, delight, & enthusiastic as never before." Authored by then HMMBA president G. Wharton James, the present volume chronicles the group's 1896 California trip, lavishly illustrated throughout with duotone photos & drawings of the cities & attractions & hotels they visited. Self-published by the author from Pasadena, CA, he dedicated the book "to those who came & enjoyed & to those who stayed home & sighed." In 338 pages + unpaginated (16 pages) of vintage ads in rear, edged on all sides in gilt, which is bright. Textured floral patterned endpapers, split parallel to rear hinge. This is a FIRST EDITION, first printing, from 1896, SIGNED by the author on the half-title page with a personalized inscription "To Deming (?) & Stella: Next time the HMMBA goes, come along! With sincere affection, George Wharton James." Small quarto (7" x 10.25") had textured red cloth over boards stamped in gilt design & lettering to front cover & spine (heavily faded here). Emboss of California bear & "California '96" with HMMBA initials in circle in gilt in front, stamped on rear board. Condition VG+: very clean, binding strong & straight, pages with just a whisper of tanning. Cloth is worn & frayed at both ends of spine & all corners show mild bumping. A handsome copy! Our photos depict the Exact book you will receive, never "stock" images of books we don't actually have! Same Day Shipping on all orders received by 2 pm Weekdays (PST); later orders, Weekends & holidays ship very next business day.