Grout, Aaron H. (1879–1966) – Secretary of State

Lakes of Eastern Vermont [1924 State Publicity Booklet - Profusely Illustrated - Vermont Poetry & Auto Index]

Montpelier, VT: Capital City Press, 1924.

A pristine example of early 20th-century state-sponsored tourism literature, designed to market the 'unspoiled' waters of Eastern Vermont to the burgeoning automobile class. The booklet is a visual archive of the region, pairing crisp photography with literary tributes from celebrated New England poets.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Nearly every page features a black-and-white photograph of Vermont’s eastern lake region, including scenic vistas, camp life, and shorelines. 
+++ Binding: Original stapled cardstock wraps featuring a photographic cover. The binding remains tight and square. 
+++ Content: Includes an 'Index of Distances' specifically calibrated for automobile travel, reflecting the transition of the Vermont landscape into a motorized tourist destination. 
+++ Associated Names: Features three significant poems: a centennial piece by Vermont’s 'unofficial poet laureate' Julia C. R. Dorr, 'A Summer Pilgrimage' by John G. Whittier, and 'Vermont' by jurist-poet Wendell P. Stafford.
+++ Rarity: While a 1917 issue exists, this 1924 revision by Aaron H. Grout is notably scarce; institutional copies are seldom seen in current database searches. +++ Imprint: Capital City Press for the Vermont Bureau of Publicity.
+++ Specs: 8.5 inches tall by 6.25 inches wide / 62 pages.

CONDITION: Near Fine -- No flaws or blemishes. The cardstock wraps show even age-toning but remain sharp. The text block is clean, free of markings, and shows minimal handling wear. A superior collector’s copy.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE --
Aaron H. Grout, serving as Secretary of State during a period of massive infrastructure growth, utilized the Bureau of Publicity to transform Vermont’s image into 'The Nation’s Playground.' This 1924 publication represents a key moment in that campaign, utilizing the prestige of authors like John Greenleaf Whittier and Julia C. R. Dorr to provide a 'literary' veneer to what was essentially an economic development tool for the state.

The inclusion of an automobile distance index marks the definitive shift from rail-based tourism to the era of the independent motorist. Historically, it captures the lakes of Eastern Vermont before mid-century development altered many of the shorelines depicted in the photographs.

SUBJECTS: Vermont Lakes, Aaron H. Grout, Vermont Bureau of Publicity, American Poetry, Automobile Tourism, 1920s Travel, New England History, Ephemera, Travel Guide, Regional History.

Item #21561

Price: $35.00