Social Index and Blue Book of Springfield (Massachusetts)" - 1889

This is a scarce, antique directory of only the elite in the town of Springfield, Massachusetts near the turn of the century - "Social Index and Blue Book of Springfield." 1889 1st edition (stated); Index Publishing Company; Springfield, MA. The blue book provides a list of "notable" town residents and their address, advertisements for local businesses, lists of members of the "Leading Social Clubs of Springfield" (Oxford Tennis Club, Women's Club, Unique Club, Washington Club, etc.), a list of "Prominent Journalists," advertisements for new book publications, and more. At the back of the blue book is a lengthy essay on the topic of "Society." Decorative end papers. From the Publisher's Notice: "It is proper to state that the editors fully recognize as good people out of this book as in it. With the criterion, however, on which the list is based: active prominence in fashionable society and church-social affairs, it can comprise only those who, for various reasons, are thus notable in the several social exchanges of the city."

Included is an entry for the wife and other relatives of Samuel Bowles, friend of Emily Dickinson and publisher/editor of the "Springfield Republican" newspaper.

Condition:
Soiling to the covers and spine. Tight binding with no cracks and no loose pages. Occasional foxing and smudges to the pages (heaviest on pages 12 & 13). The lower-inner corners of the advertisement between pages 22/23 and 30/31 are creased and have pulled 1" from the bottom of the spine. Bookplate affixed to a blank front end paper. A few random pages have a tanned outline of a flower petal that had been left between them. A few random pages have a small checkmark in pencil next to a name. Overall the book is in Good condition.