Hotel Planning and Outfitting: Commercial, Residential, Recreational

Chicago: The Albert Pick-Barth Companies, 1928. Hardcover. 4to. Tan cloth with black lettering and front board burgundy calf label with gilt lettering. 438pp. Extensive illustrations and floor plans. Very good. Faint binding wear only, else internally tight and fine. A superb, tight and handsome first edition of this highly detailed (to cite title page sub-subtitle) "Compilation of Authoritative Information on Problems of Hotel Economics, Architecture, Planning, Food Service Engineering, Furnishing and General Outfitting, Including Numerous Illustrations, Plans and Tables of Data." This lovely and unusual copy has been extra-illustrated with an added frontispiece: Tipped opposite title page is a Typed Letter Signed from Albert Pick Jr., 1p, 8½" X 11", Chicago, IL, 25 May 1965. Addressed to Kenneth N. Anglemire. Very good. On "Pick Hotels Corporation" letterhead, the firm president thanks the president of Marquis-Who's Who Inc. "for your telegram of invitation to attend the World's Fair on Wednesday, June 16. Unfortunately I have an important business engagement in California at the same time, and will not be able to be with you. Am sorry as undoubtedly your program would be a most enjoyable and interesting experience...." Boldly signed in full. (Anglemire was in charge of "Illinois Day" at the 1965 New York World's Fair.) Pick (1895-1977) was the namesake grandson of the founder of this once-thriving high-end hotel chain, and himself served during his long career as the hotel's treasurer, director, president and finally chairman of the board -- and ultimately its sole owner.