The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1964

This official state reference volume bears the seal of Wisconsin and identifies itself as a legislative and reference bureau publication. The Wisconsin Blue Book served as the authoritative governmental directory and reference work for the state, containing rosters of elected officials, departmental information, and civic records. First published in 1853, the Blue Book became an indispensable resource for citizens, businesses, and government agencies seeking accurate information about state administration. The 1964 edition represents mid-century Wisconsin governance during a period of significant economic and social change. Such official publications, though lacking the sensational covers of pulp magazines, formed another crucial category of American printed matter—institutional records that documented the bureaucratic structure of state power.