Asheville, North Carolina. "In The Land Of The Sky." (Cover Title)

ASHEVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE [GEORGE MASA, PHOTOGRAPHER]

Publication: Asheville Chamber of Commerce, n d (ca 1935), Asheville

First edition. 8vo. 9" x 8" color pictorial wrappers, folds to 9" x 4," n. p. [16 pp. including covers], illustrated throughout with black & white photographs. An attractive promotional touting Asheville's natural resources, climate, golf courses, recreational opportunities, economic growth, homes, schools, churches, summer camps, transportation network, etc. The photographs depict various hotels, the Asheville Golf and Country Club, the Biltmore Estate, the high school, municipal buildings, the American Enka Co., the Pigeon River Dam, a bird's eye view of the city, views of the surrounding mountain landscape, and a panorama of the Smoky Mountains. The scenic photographs are attributed to "the late George Masa." A native of Japan, George Masa (1881-1933, born Masahara Izuka) immigrated to Asheville in 1915. He rose from working in the laundry at the Grove Park Inn to become one of the most respected photographers in Asheville and played a large role in exploring and creating the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The estimated date of the brochure is based on the 1934 opening of the national park, which is here announced ("America's Newest Adventureland for Vacationists") and described as being only in the "initial stages" of development. (Another clue is the imputed date of another edition which suggests that the Miller Printing Co. may have taken over the contract for this publication by 1937. It was almost certainly not printed after 1940, as the population given for Asheville is derived from the 1930 census.) OCLC finds only one edition that might correspond to the present brochure (same size, same printer, no pagination given), held only by Appalachian State. NUC finds no corresponding editions. Not in Thornton which lists several other editions (see entries 369-376). Minor soiling to the cover, light wear to the spine, staples rusted (but strong and holding), and light wear to the fore-edges, else a very good copy.

Inventory Number: 46666