There are some books that just jump off the shelf at you, even from across a room. This isn’t just about size or color; it’s about a distinct visual signature, a little wink from the past that says, “Hey, look at me.” For me, one of those instant magnets is the 1912 true first edition of Motor Journeys by Louise Closser Hale. Seriously, I spotted a copy once amidst a jumble of dusty travelogues, and my eyes went straight to it. Why? Because it’s got driving goggles – actual silver-gilt driving goggles – stamped right there on the spine. It’s a small detail, but it’s utterly brilliant, instantly dating the book, announcing its subject, and just generally making it an absolute joy to hold and look at. This isn’t a book you forget once you’ve seen it, and finding one in truly exceptional condition, like the one I’m talking about today, is always a small victory for any collector who appreciates early automobilia and the charming quirks of turn-of-the-century design.
Currently available: A copy of this item is in our collection — listed at $145. View listing on eBay →
Those Goggles! An Instant Icon
Let’s be honest, the star of the show here, even before you open the covers, is that incredible decorative binding. We’re talking about bright silver-gilt driving goggles on the spine, framed by blind-stamped mountain scenery across the front and back covers, all set on a robust, unusually clean buckram. It’s not just pretty; it’s a piece of kinetic art that telegraphs the book’s entire premise. Imagine standing in a bookstore in 1912, surrounded by staid, often plain cloth bindings. Then you spot this. It practically begs you to pick it up and go for a drive.
This isn’t just a quirky design choice; it’s a direct reference to the daring and relatively new world of early automobile travel. Back then, driving wasn’t the climate-controlled, smooth affair we know today. Roads were often unpaved, dust flew everywhere, and open-air touring was the norm. Goggles weren’t just a fashion accessory; they were essential protective gear. So, to have them emblazoned on the spine is a stroke of genius by the designer, instantly transporting you to that era. It makes the book instantly recognizable to collectors and enthusiasts of automobilia. I’ve had conversations start at book fairs just because someone saw that spine and wanted to know more. It’s a fantastic conversation starter.
What really makes this copy stand out, and what I always look for, is the condition of that silver-gilt. Over the decades, metallic finishes on book bindings can tarnish, chip, or simply fade away, especially on a book that might have been handled often or stored poorly. To find a copy where those goggles are still bright and distinct, almost as if they were freshly minted, is quite uncommon. It speaks to how well the book has been preserved over its 112 years. The blind-stamped mountains are also still crisp, adding a tactile dimension to the visual appeal. It’s a testament to the quality of production by A. C. McClurg & Co. and the care taken by previous owners. This kind of intact decorative element is a big part of what makes a first edition like this so sought after.
Louise Closser Hale and the Dawn of Motor Touring
Beyond the eye-catching exterior, we find a charming and insightful travelogue penned by Louise Closser Hale, an American actress and author who, in her day, was quite well-known on both stage and screen. What I find particularly cool about her is that she wasn’t just an entertainer; she was an adventurous spirit who documented her travels alongside her artist husband, Walter Hale. This book, Motor Journeys, is a direct product of that collaboration, published in October 1912, right smack in the middle of a truly transformative period.
Think about it: 1912. The automobile was still a relatively new phenomenon, certainly not the ubiquitous mode of transport we know today. For many, taking a “motor journey” was an adventurous, even somewhat daring pursuit. Roads weren’t standardized, service stations were few and far between, and breakdowns were probably a regular occurrence. It was a time when travel, particularly by car, was still something of an exploration, not just a commute.
Hale’s writing offers a window into this nascent era of personal mobility. She captures the spirit of early motor touring, giving us a glimpse into how people experienced travel and observed landscapes before the widespread development of modern highways and infrastructure. Her observations are fresh, direct, and often humorous. She’s not just reporting facts; she’s sharing an experience, complete with all its quirks and charms. It’s like getting into a time machine and riding along with her, hearing her thoughts on the changing scenery, the people she meets, and the simple joys and frustrations of motoring through the countryside. This isn’t a dry, academic account; it’s personal, reflecting the enthusiasm and curiosity of someone discovering a new way to see the world. For anyone interested in the history of transportation or the evolution of leisure, her perspective is incredibly valuable.
Walter Hale’s Artistic Detours
No discussion of Motor Journeys would be complete without talking about Walter Hale, Louise Closser Hale’s artist husband. This book isn’t just a travelogue; it’s truly a collaborative work of art. Walter provided no less than 33 full-page illustrations that perfectly complement Louise’s text. And these aren’t just generic sketches; they’re detailed, atmospheric renderings that capture the places and moments Louise describes.
Walter Hale was an accomplished artist, and his contributions elevate this book beyond a simple written account. His illustrations transport you visually to the roads, villages, and scenic overlooks that the Hales explored. I always find that a good illustrator doesn’t just depict what’s written but adds another layer of interpretation, another dimension to the experience. Walter Hale does exactly that. His work provides a visual counterpoint to Louise’s prose, allowing you to see the landscapes, the early automobiles, and the quaint scenes of small-town life as they might have appeared over a century ago.
Imagine Louise describing a winding country road or a charming European village, and then flipping the page to see Walter’s detailed depiction of that exact scene. It creates a richer, more immersive reading experience. These illustrations are not merely decorative; they are integral to the historical and artistic value of the book. For collectors, the presence of these numerous, well-executed full-page illustrations by a known artist significantly enhances the book’s appeal. They are a primary reason why this particular edition is so cherished, appealing not just to lovers of early travel literature but also to those who collect illustrated books and art from the early 20th century. When you have a copy where these plates are pristine, as they are in the copy I’m discussing, it makes all the difference. The print quality is still strong, the paper bright, and the images leap off the page, inviting you to linger.
The Mark of a True First: Deckled Edges and Unread Condition
Now, let’s talk brass tacks for collectors: what makes this specific copy so special? Well, for starters, it’s a true first edition, “Published October, 1912.” This isn’t a later printing, a reprint, or a revised edition. This is the very first time Louise Closser Hale’s Motor Journeys rolled off the presses. For collectors, this distinction is paramount. Later editions almost invariably lack the original decorative binding, the quality of paper, and the sense of authenticity that comes with holding the initial publication. That feeling of holding the book exactly as it first appeared to readers over a century ago? That’s what a true first edition delivers.
But it’s not just its “firstness” that sets this copy apart. It’s the condition. When research data describes a book as having “unusually clean” buckram and a “pristine/unread” interior, that’s music to a collector’s ears. Books from 1912, especially travelogues which might have been packed into suitcases or read on bumpy car rides, rarely survive in such fine shape. The buckram, often prone to scuffs and fading, is described as unusually clean – meaning its original hue and texture are still largely intact. And a “pristine/unread” interior suggests that the pages are crisp, bright, free from foxing or inscriptions, and that the binding is tight, as if the book has barely been opened. This kind of preservation for a book over a century old is simply uncommon, making such copies considerably more desirable and harder to come by.
Then there are the deckled edges. You know, those rough, untrimmed edges on the paper that sometimes look a bit uneven? These aren’t defects; they’re a deliberate mark of quality in book production from this era. Deckled edges indicate that the paper was left untrimmed after folding, creating a rustic, artisanal appearance. It’s a detail that often signifies a higher level of craftsmanship in its original production and adds to the book’s aesthetic and collectible value. They give the book a tactile, organic feel, reminding you that this was a handmade object before mass production homogenized everything. For me, deckled edges are a charming little nod to the past, a subtle detail that says, “This was made with care.” When you find them intact and well-preserved, it’s another feather in the cap for a collector.
Why I Love Hunting These Early Auto Guides
For me, the appeal of books like Motor Journeys goes beyond just the book itself. It’s about collecting snippets of history, holding a tangible piece of a bygone era. Early automobilia literature, especially first editions like this one, represents a fascinating intersection of technological innovation, social change, and personal adventure. These books chronicle a time when the world was literally opening up to people in new ways, transforming not just how they traveled, but how they perceived distance, geography, and even their own communities.
I love to see how authors like Louise Closser Hale experienced the world at a time when travel was transitioning from horse-drawn carriages and trains to the individual freedom (and occasional breakdown) of the motorcar. These books provide invaluable historical perspectives, showing us how people navigated rudimentary roads, what they packed, what their expectations were, and how their perceptions of places changed. They’re not just about cars; they’re about the broader human experience of exploration and discovery.
There’s also a certain charm in the innocence of these early accounts. The world hadn’t yet been crisscrossed by interstates, and every motor trip felt like an expedition. The sense of wonder, the detailed descriptions of landscapes that might look very different today, and the often quaint challenges faced by early motorists are all part of what makes these stories so enduring. They appeal to my inner historian, my inner adventurer, and my inner admirer of beautiful books. Finding a copy in such excellent condition, with all its original charm and quality intact, feels like preserving a direct line to that exciting period. It’s about appreciating the journey, both within the pages and what it took to get the book to my hands over a century later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Louise Closser Hale? A: Louise Closser Hale was a prominent American actress of both stage and screen, as well as an author. She gained recognition for her travel books, which were often illustrated by her artist husband, Walter Hale. She had a robust career in entertainment and brought that keen observation to her writing.
Q: What makes this a ‘True First Edition’? A: The description specifies it was ‘Published October, 1912,’ which indicates it is the very first printing of the work. For collectors, this is crucial, as it distinguishes it from later printings, revised editions, or reprints, which typically lack the original production qualities and collector desirability.
Q: Why are ‘deckled edges’ considered a key feature? A: Deckled edges refer to the rough, untrimmed edges of the paper, a detail often found in quality older books. They contribute to the book’s artisanal appearance and can indicate a higher level of craftsmanship in its original production. For many collectors, they add to the book’s aesthetic charm and value.
About This Copy
This particular copy of Motor Journeys by Louise Closser Hale is a true first edition, published in October 1912 by A. C. McClurg & Co., and presents in unusually fine condition. The buckram binding is notably clean, and the highly distinctive silver-gilt driving goggles on the spine are bright and fully intact, showing almost no wear or tarnishing. The blind-stamped mountain scenery on the covers is crisp. Inside, the pages are pristine and appear unread, with vibrant, clean paper and tight binding, suggesting exceptional care over its 112 years. All 33 full-page illustrations by Walter Hale are present and clear, and the deckled edges are well-preserved, adding to its original character and collectible appeal.