A Rare Viewbook of the City of Paris, compiled by the Commercial Club of Paris, Illinois.

Published by the Commercial Club of Paris, Illinois. Printed by Charles A. Lawes & Co., Printers, Chicago. 1904 First and only edition. Oblong, 10.25" x 6.75", brown soft card covers with embossed iridescent gilt titling to front, small printers device to middle of the rear cover, red string tied and staple bound, 72 unnumbered pages (complete as issued, collated with copy held at University of Illinois), handsomely illustrated throughout with 34 pages of black & white photographs including industries, homes, and parkland, displayed within a decorative border. The text describes Paris including specific businesses, cultural and civic institutions. VERY GOOD Condition: light wear and a few small scuffs to the covers, and spinefolds, light top outer corner-tip bump affecting inner pages, spots of light foxing, and light signs of wear, otherwise, tight, bright, clean and unmarked. A solid and lovely copy of this scarce viewbook. OCLC records only two copies held, rare book rooms of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and Vigo County Public Library Indiana.

The Commercial Club of Paris, a forerunner to the Chamber of Commerce, was an elite group of successful businessmen and a few women who were actively promoting the economic and cultural development of the city (all of whom are noted at the rear of the book). With this very descriptive 1904 publication they showcase the scenic beauty of the city of Paris and its existing commercial and cultural prosperity, while simultaneously seeking to grow Paris into a leading modern industrial center and a very desirable business and family friendly place to come and live.