Cracow (1929)
First Edition of This English-Language Illustrated Guide to Pre-War Cracow Poland
(Poland). Cracow. Cracow, Poland: Society for the Promotion of Foreign Travel, 1929.
Octavo. Hardcover. 1st Edition.
First edition of this travel guide to Krakow (Cracow), released by the Society for the Promotion of Foreign Travel and featuring numerous illustrations after drawings and photographs including one of the Old Synagogue before its destruction by the Nazis. This travel guide presents the golden era of Krakow, during its brief period as the independent Second Polish Republic and prior to the Nazi occupation. Krakow at the time was a beautiful, cultured city and travelers were keen to see it in person. While Krakow was largely preserved during the War due to its suitability for conversion into a German city, the medieval Old Synagogue was turned into a warehouse by the Germans and systematically destroyed. What remains is a careful restoration of the original. This book presents a rare and valuable opportunity to see the Synagogue as it was in 1929, prior to its desecration and reconstruction. Additionally, the last page and a half recommend the Jewish Ghetto as a tour extension for interested travelers, inviting them to view "Characteristic types of orthodox Jews, in original, festival attire... on Friday afternoon and Saturday"--Jewish people who would largely be dead a little over a decade later. Interior generally fine, a few tiny spots of soiling and light rubbing to edges of oversize wrappers. Near-fine or better. Quite rare.