This is a scarce, antique directory of only the elite in the town of Springfield, Massachusetts near the turn of the century - "Social Index and Blue Book of Springfield." 1889 1st edition (stated); Index Publishing Company; Springfield, MA. The blue book provides a list of "notable" town residents and their address, advertisements for local businesses, lists of members of the "Leading Social Clubs of Springfield" (Oxford Tennis Club, Women's Club, Unique Club, Washington Club, etc.), a list of "Prominent Journalists," advertisements for new book publications, and more. At the back of the blue book is a lengthy essay on the topic of "Society." Decorative end papers. From the Publisher's Notice:  "It is proper to state that the editors fully recognize as good people out of this book as in it. With the criterion, however, on which the list is based: active prominence in fashionable society and church-social affairs, it can comprise only those who, for various reasons, are thus notable in the several social exchanges of the city."