Judge, 1917-06-30 · page 27 of 29
Judge — June 30, 1917 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a political cartoon but a full-page advertisement** for the Automobile Blue Books—a commercial travel guide series published in 1917. The page uses the slogan "Re-discover America" to market these guidebooks as essential tools for automobile touring. The advertisement emphasizes safety and convenience: the Blue Books identify dangerous railroad crossings, unsafe roads, landmarks, and scenic detours, allowing drivers to travel confidently without relying on signs or directions from locals. The appeal reflects early 20th-century automobile culture—when car travel was still novel and infrastructure unreliable. By positioning these books as practical necessities (compared to a ship's compass), the publisher markets them as independence-enabling products for motorists exploring unfamiliar territory. The page includes a mail-in coupon and lists nine regional volumes covering different U.S. areas, priced at $3.00 each. There is no satire present—this is straightforward period advertising aimed at middle-class automobile owners.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
S going stening i} omy. light,” Amoni pects. it-Bits, Com. poili’ e e Re-discover America This year see new places away from the main traveled routes—tour with the assurance of knowing where you go. Don’t dread the crossroads or wonder if there is a railroad crossing around the turn, The New 1917 Automobile Blue Books take you away from the beaten paths—they show about touring with a Blue Book. You know just you the safe and unsafe roads—the distance from where to slow down to see the landmarks of inter- dangerous railroad crossings, in fact they put est you are forewarned of the “Dangerous Curve before you four hundred thousand miles of the bes Ahead” long before you come to it—and if you motor roads. They are practically as neces are ahead of your schedule the Blue Books show for your enjoyment and safety in motoring you short side trips and then point your way compass is toa ship. And. there is a fascination back to the main road again. Mail the Coupon and become a member of the Blue Book Touring Club, with valuable privileges and personal touring service which is free to every owner of the New 1917 Automobile Blue Book. . ery volume averages 1000 pages, printed clearly on a good quality of India paper, with hundreds of maps and illustrations, bound in genuine Royal Blue limp leather, stamped in gold. . Drive in comfort on good roads and save money in gasoline, tires, wear and tear on your car. ‘The New 1917 Automobile dst Blue Book will make you independent of signs or passers by. Last rs edition was oversold by thousands of volumes. M slim Some Things You Find in the Automobile Blue Books sure of yours by ordering tod Mail the coupon now while there is a Blue Book for you. Price $3.00 per volume. poccennennn-- ene 900 SaMichigan Ave Chicago. Pacific Bldg, San Francisco sin, lows, Missouri and filineis. Miles Radius. Dhiain quick aod | ony werviee, i amd with full sebed ? 5 OC antiner aed ! At bookstores, department stores, auto supply stores, the aims r ‘ ks. scente of i} better class garages and hotel news-stands. If there is no si“pomed dealer near you or you have any diffculty in getting a copy, pin remittance to this coupon and mail direct tous. We that 1 Pill'ver chat you are peoespaly eopplled, delivery ‘prepaid. They Cover the Country 1 VOLUME 1 -New York and adj VOLUME 6 -Viins, Tennesee _ cent Canada. N. Car lina, 1 Cem Enclosed please find $_ , for which send tne Volume_ VOLUME 2—Coonecticut, Massa- I chasetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, the New Hampshires Maine and ! wore Maritime Province: ! VOLUME 3—New Jersey, Penn- | Add. sylvania, Maryland, aware, ress — Z Seas et | Dutra Columbia and’ West ! ete ase 5 Idaho and Oregon. vind {—Michiean, Indiana, hop kitu | The Automobile Blue Book Publishing Co. | ee VOLUME A—New York City and bat} rocky an 100 Miles Radius. ! 243 West 39th St.,New York City VOLUME $— Minnesota, Wiscen- VOLUME C—Chicago and 100 ! 1 (UM comicbooks.com