#4332150 - 01/27/17 10:03 PM
OT: A wonderful old WWI Paris guide book soon to be on my shelves
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Joined: May 2012
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RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
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BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
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L'Etoile du Nord
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. As many of you know I have been building a WWI library for a good many years and while most of the books I collect deal with combat aviation I am always on the look-out for contemporary works about the Great War in general, and living through it, that I can use as reference when writing my stories. Today I found a gem being offered on eBay at a very fair price. It is "Paris in Ten Days - A Little Guide For Tommy and The Yank", by Sommerville Story. It's hard to find surviving guide books that were actually printed during the war. This one was published in 1918, is 128 pages long, and was specifically aimed at foreign soldiers serving along the Western Front. It includes a pull-out with two maps showing points of interest, train lines, subway lines and such in both central and greater Paris. It even lists the locations of various military clubs. The format is built around the premise that a serviceman has a ten-day pass in which to see Paris and it outlines what to do and where to go on each day. I don't even have the book yet and I can tell already that it will be a superb source for contemporary material. And from the online research I did prior to my purchase it appears this particular little volume is quite rare as only four copies are listed in libraries scattered around the globe: one in France, one in Austrailia, one in Kansas, (of all places), and one in the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. There are no reprints or e-book offerings of it anywhere, at least none that I can find, though I imagine one could request such from one of the four libraries owning originals. Oh the sweet anticipation. Cheers! Lou .
Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked._________________________________________________________________________ Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
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#4332177 - 01/27/17 11:37 PM
Re: OT: A wonderful old WWI Paris guide book soon to be on my shelves
[Re: RAF_Louvert]
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
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BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
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. Lucky you Shredward, Paris is a fantastic city. Send us a postcard! .
Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked._________________________________________________________________________ Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
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#4332194 - 01/28/17 12:29 AM
Re: OT: A wonderful old WWI Paris guide book soon to be on my shelves
[Re: RAF_Louvert]
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,398
KodiakJac
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USA
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What a wonderful find, Lou! That is a gem and will be a lot of fun to read
Dogfighting is what you do "after" you drop your bombs and blow something up! Can you say "JABO!"
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#4332288 - 01/28/17 10:25 AM
Re: OT: A wonderful old WWI Paris guide book soon to be on my shelves
[Re: Shredward]
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,064
Sandbagger
Hotshot
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Hotshot
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Posts: 7,064
Coningsby, Lincs, UK
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And it's the jumping off point for the Front! Cheers Shredward Sounds like a great trip coming up - what's your plans during the trip?
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#4332298 - 01/28/17 11:14 AM
Re: OT: A wonderful old WWI Paris guide book soon to be on my shelves
[Re: RAF_Louvert]
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,743
Hasse
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That's a fascinating find and couldn't have gone to a better new owner! Now you're practically obligated to take advantage of the guide and start a new DID pilot. If possible, could you show a few scans of some of the most interesting pages here when you get the book? I'm sure people would be interested in seeing them. Paris is indeed a beautiful city. I've been there once, and though the weather during my visit happened to be terrible with almost constant rain, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Besides, it didn't rain in the museums and cafés.
"Upon my word I've had as much excitement on a car as in the air, especially since the R.F.C. have had women drivers."
James McCudden, Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps
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#4332489 - 01/28/17 09:47 PM
Re: OT: A wonderful old WWI Paris guide book soon to be on my shelves
[Re: Sandbagger]
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 841
Shredward
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Posts: 841
Lake Louise, AB Canada
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And it's the jumping off point for the Front! Cheers Shredward Sounds like a great trip coming up - what's your plans during the trip? The objective is Vimy Ridge and the Remembrance Service. A few other stops along the line - Hill 70, Beaumont Hamel, prolly Thiepval, maybe Menin Gate. Can't put in too many Great War stops this time - we are introducing our seven year old daughter to the wonders of France Cheers shredward
We will remember them.
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#4332667 - 01/29/17 03:51 PM
Re: OT: A wonderful old WWI Paris guide book soon to be on my shelves
[Re: RAF_Louvert]
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
RAF_Louvert
BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
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BOC President; Pilot Extraordinaire; Humble Man
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,879
L'Etoile du Nord
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Raine, I knew you would be one who'd love to also have such an old account. Once I have it I will look at the possibility of scanning it so that it could be made available to you.
Shredward, oh how I envy you that trip! Be sure and post a few pictures of those sites so that the rest of us might enjoy them vicariously.
Thank you Hasse and Bucksnort, I am dearly looking forward to reading this wonderful old guide book. And as mentioned above, I will look into scanning at least portions of it to make available to others.
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Three RFC Brass Hats were strolling down a street in London. Two walked into a bar, the third one ducked._________________________________________________________________________ Former Cold War Warrior, USAF Security Service 1974-1978, E-4, Morse Systems Intercept, England, Europe, and points above. "pippy-pahpah-pippy pah-pip-pah"
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