[Photo Album Scrapbook of The Continental Dance Club] by [Business]: [Dance Clubs] - [ca. 1958]

(San Diego, CA): The Continental Dance Club, [ca. 1958]. Wraps. Very good +. 4to. Faux-leather covered plastic spiral bound album measuring approximately 10.5” x 8.75”. 7 plastic covered paper leaves with 9 black and white photographs, plus various clippings, business documents and scrap material loosely mounted and laid in. Covers torn at upper spine, crease to front cover at upper right. Contents well preserved, loose articles with moderate wear. Very good overall.

A compact collection of 1950s photographs and archival material relating to The Continental Dance Club, located at the Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Cajon Blvd. in San Diego. Five 8” x 10” photographs of the club’s interior and exterior (stamped "K. Jordan-Day") reveal fine mid-century furnishings, interior design, and hand-painted signage. Four 5” x 7” prints show couples dancing. Business materials include an illustrated mailing envelope, blank membership forms, a blank sales contract, a proof sheet and two clippings of an ad which appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune, and a rough draft plus finished direct mail TLS from the club’s grand opening ad campaign. The club operated on a membership model and promised professional dance instruction along with the opportunity to "mix with wonderful people who share your enthusiasm for social friendship, music and dancing." American entrepreneurship meets post-war optimism.