The Making of Golden Gate Park: The Early Years: 1865-1906

San Francicso, CA: California Living Books. Very Good+. 1980. 1st Edition, so stated; First Printing. Paperback. FLAT SIGNED BY THE AUHTOR AT THE HALF-TITLE PAGE. First Edition (1980) , so stated. Very Good+ to Near Fine in Wraps: shows mild rubbing and the faintest toning to the white background field of the self-wrapper covers; aa hint of creasing to the corners of the rear panel; the binding is square and secure; the text is clean. Free of creases to the backstrip. Free of any creased or dog-eared pages in the text. Free of any underlining, hi-lighting or marginalia or marks in the text. Free of any ownership names, dates, addresses, notations, inscriptions, stamps, plates, or labels. A handsome copy, structurally sound and tightly bound, showing minor, unobtrusive imperfections. Close to "As New". NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 8vo. (8.3 x 10.25 x 0.5 inches) . Profusely illustrated with vintage duotone photographic illustrations. Introduction by Alan D. Cline. Language: English. Weight: 21.6 ounces. Trade Paperback. Provides a great overview of how Golden Gate Park was conceived, initially developed, and how it evolved over its first half century of existence. It contains a lot of unique illustrations and photographs, as well as stories and tidbits that I haven't found in other sources. It's similar in coverage to Terence Young's "Building San Francisco's Parks", but while that book places the park's development in its broader cultural context, this one has more detail about the park's history. For a period of three decades Raymond Clary was San Francisco's most persistent defender of Golden Gate Park from those who sought to acquire the land for their exclusive use, to put up and expand buildings on the land, and to convert the land into money-making venues. Because his criticisms of park encroachers were caustic, witty and informed, it was to be expected that he incurred the wrath of those he rebuked. While Mr. Clary's sharp and eloquent voice has been stilled, despoilers of Golden Gate Park continue to clamor for buildings, museums, monuments, sports arenas, and facilities for special groups. The park needs defenders like Ray Clary to keep the land open, free and green for future generations. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; xiv, 192 pages; Signed by Author .