Dixieland in Technicolor (1940)

[Curt Teich & Company] ; [Publisher]

Scenic Wonders of Dixieland [C. T. Art-Colortone Photo-Brochure] [1940]

Chicago: Curt Teich & Company, 1940.

A vibrant specimen of mid-century regional promotion featuring the hallmark 'Art-Colortone' lithography of the Curt Teich Company. 

Produced at the height of the pre-war American touring boom, this brochure presents a curated visual narrative of the Southeastern United States, moving from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Florida Everglades. It serves as a primary document of the 'Dixieland' tourist identity, utilizing high-saturation color processes to market the natural and civic 'wonders' of the South to a mobile, automobile-reliant middle class.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Illustrated throughout with C. T. Art-Colortone photographic views, characterized by the linen-texture aesthetic and vivid color palettes synonymous with 1940s Americana. 
+++ Binding: Stapled pictorial wraps featuring a panoramic montage of Southern landmarks. 
+++ Content: Descriptive text paired with views of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Rock City, the Singing Tower, and various historic sites across the Southern states. 
+++ Imprint: Curt Teich & Company, Chicago. 1940. 
+++ Specs: 8.5 x 5.5 inches; 32 pages.

CONDITION: Very Good — The bindings are tight and square. The internal text and plates are clean with light, even age-toning. The stapled wraps show moderate shelf handling wear and minor rubbing to the extremities, but remain bright and structurally sound. A well-preserved example of a fragile, high-use promotional item.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Lithographic History: Represents a sophisticated application of the Curt Teich 'Art-Colortone' process, which defined the visual language of the American postcard and travel brochure for decades.
+++ Regional Branding: Documents the social construction of 'Dixieland' as a cohesive tourist destination during the New Deal era of infrastructure and park development.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE —
Curt Teich & Company was the world's largest publisher of postcards and advertising folders, and 'Scenic Wonders of Dixieland' represents their transition into larger-format, narrative travel booklets. Published just a year before the U.S. entry into World War II, it captures the 'Golden Age' of the American road trip, when regional boosters used innovative color printing to transform the landscape into a commercial product.

SUBJECTS: Southern United States Tourism, Curt Teich Company, Art-Colortone Lithography, 1940s Americana, Road Trip History, Travel Ephemera, Regional Promotion, Photo-Brochure.

Item #21724

Price: $45.00