Author: Johnston, Elizabeth Bryant
Title: 1876 Visitors' Guide to Mount Vernon
Description: Washington DC, Gibson Bros. Prs. 1876. First Edition. First edition; 5 3/4 x 4 1/2; pp. [1], 4-39, [1]; olive-green wraps, printed and decorated with an engraving and an elaborate border; several advertisements of hotels and objects of interests in Washington with engravings at the end; tiny chip at tail of spine and a few minor spots to wraps; overall in very good condition. Extremely scarce in its first edition, the booklet was the very first official Mount Vernon guidebook - commisioned by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association (MVLA), who had purchased the property from the Washington family in 1858. It was written by Elizabeth Bryant Johnston (1833 - 1907) - an accomplished art critic, journalist, and historian. Though Mount Vernon had been mentioned in various Washington DC guides since the 1820s, the historic landmark did not have its own book, until Ms. Johnston was invited to author it and stay at Mount Vernon, while writing it. She would create each new edition and arrange for its printing for the next 22 years. The guide described sightseeing on the way to the plantation (by steamboat - the most common way to reach Mount Vernon), the buildings, the rooms in the mansion, the tombs, etc. It also supplied early revenue numbers and sources of revenue, which included sale of photographic views and flowers, entrance fee, lunch, etc. This first edition was not illustrated, though later editions would have engravings added. On the other hand, the latter would omit the advertisements at the end of the book, which in the original edition connected Mount Vernon with the tourist industry of Washington, DC. Very good .

Keywords: Americana


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