Rome and the Environs — Guide Treves, 1908

A fascinating early twentieth-century travel guide to Rome, published by Fratelli Treves in 1908 as part of its Guide Treves series. Designed in the compact format popularized by Baedeker, the guide provided English-speaking travelers with practical information as well as detailed descriptions of Rome and its surroundings.

The book contains 352 pages followed by extensive period advertising material for the 1908–1909 travel season. The advertisements are particularly appealing today, featuring contemporary Italian hotels, restaurants, banks and businesses, including the Excelsior Hotel, Grand Hotel Venice, Peroni Beer and Liquore Strega.

The original folding Map of the Environs of Rome is present at the front and remains loosely attached. The separate Plan of Rome called for on the title page is missing. The title page also calls for 32 engravings. [If you confirm all 32, change this to: All 32 engravings are present.]

A period bookseller's label from Libreria Loescher & Co., Rome appears inside the front cover, an appealing remnant of the book's history in Rome.

Bound in the publisher's distinctive red cloth with embossed decoration and lettering. The binding shows age-related wear, including rubbing, fading, bumped corners and wear and fraying at the spine ends. Pages show expected toning and occasional spotting. The surviving folding map is loosely attached.