The Cable Car in America
Berkeley: Howell-north Books, 1971. First edition. Hardcover. First printing. Heavy, oversized hardcover. Fine in bright, crisp dust jacket with only a small chip and small closed tear top edge front panel. Map endpapers, 484 pp. with bibliography, index. Profusely illustrated with 684 vintage photographs and reproductions and maps. Hilton's magnificent history of the cable car in America. The cable car first appeared in 1873 (though the idea for it came as early as 1812) and cable traction was perfected by Frank J. Sprague in 1888. It was an effective alternative to both horsecars and electric railways (trolleys) and was particularly suited to the nations largest cities. Hilly San Francisco had the largest system in milage though Chicago, without a hill in sight, had the largest number of passengers and Kansas City had the most comprehensive system. It's usefulness, however, was in decline by 1891 and by 1906 there was little left to go. This volume, after the 8-chapter history of the cable Car, provides indivifdual histories of the 62 cable companies in 28 cities; the technology is described in greater detail than ever before and the rest to the rise and fall of the cable car. Fine / near fine. Item #E30543
Price: $28.50