Trailer Travel: A Visual History of Mobile America (Paperback)

~ Phil Noyes (Author), (Author), Allison Arieff (Author) "Across the far horizons of the west..." (more)
Key Phrases: Special Collections, Vintage Vacations, Phil Noyes (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Trailer Travel showcases the rich visual history of America¹s enduring fascination with life on the road. Beautifully reproduced color and black-and-white images culled from public archives and the private collections of passionate trailerites vividly document the travel trailer¹s storied past.

This engaging volume offers a look at motor-camping trips in the early 1900s, the unparalleled innovations in trailer design during the thirties, rare and unique trailer models and interiors, and an extensive array of bold and graphic promotional material, literature, and postcards that illustrate the undeniable attraction of living on wheels. Trailer Travel is the perfect book for the fan of the open road and the fervent collector of trailer ephemera.

From the Publisher

Culled from the private collections of passionate trailerites, the book is chock full of color and black-and-white illustrations including linen postcards of trailer camps and auto courts and campy family photographs. This is the perfect book for the fan of the open road or the fervent collector of trailer ephemera.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith (July 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586851578
• ISBN-13: 978-1586851576
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #463,531 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Candy For The Trailer Park Crowd, April 26, 2003

By	F. Orion Pozo "Orion Pozo" (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book brings together a wonderful collection of visual images of travel trailers from the late 1920s through the 1950s. The images come from vintage photographs, publicity brochures, and other publications. A majority of the materials come from the collections of the University of Southern California, the Auto Club of Southern California, and Vintage Vacations (a California travel trailer restoration company). The quality of the image reproduction is excellent making this book a genuine feast for the eyes.
Although subtitled "A Visual History Of Mobile America," the majority of pictures are from California with the rest of the country only sketchily represented if at all. Florida is the only other state to have more than one or two pictures included.
The book has eight chapters. Each begins with one page of text consisting of three paragraphs. The rest of the chapters are illustrations with captions and quotes. The first chapter "Motor Camping" has some of the earliest photos and portrays the beginnings of the travel trailer craze. The second chapter "Selling The dream" contains a collection of illustrations from brochures and advertisements. "Wish You Were Here," the third chapter, is a collection of postcards both humorous and illustrative. The fourth chapter "Trailer Shows" contains pictures from various California trailer shows. Pictures of the latest trailer designs are often enhanced by including attractive female models. "Take A Look Inside" is the next chapter which portrays the interior furnishings of travel trailers. Again attractive female models often enhance the photos. "I've Got This Idea" is a chapter that captures some of the more inventive and original travel trailer designs. A whole chapter is devoted to "Trailer Logos." It was in this chapter that I found the only reference to my 1948 trailer made in Alma, Michigan.
The book ends with a chapter on "Teardrops," compact trailers with outdoor kitchens built into a back hatch. A one page bibliography provides both current and historic books and articles for further reading. A joyful coffee table book, light on text, but very rich on illustrations, that is eye candy for the trailer park crowd.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My new favorite book!, September 3, 2002

By A Customer

I am so happy that there is finally a book about this part of American pop culture that has been largely ignored! I had no idea that so many amazing pictures have survived all these years. The graphics are wonderful and I love all of the logos. Great book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! What a great book!, July 25, 2002

By A Customer

Colorful, instructive and full of eye candy. It's about time someone published a book for those of us who love vintage travel trailers and just plain Americana. This book will live on the very top of my coffee table library.