This very early Ward Lock & Co illustrated travel guide is one of the original editions of the "red" guides published between 1901 and 1910.  These were the first of those with the famous "coat of arms" design on the cover and with the 1/- net price at the top of the spine, leading to the guides becoming known as the "shilling" guides.  They are full of contemporary photographs, advertisements and fold-out maps. 

These guides are increasingly becoming collectors' items.   Please see my Ward Lock Red Guides website for more information about the series.  I have a large collection of these early guides, but am needing to sell a number because of lack of space to store them.

This particular guide dates from 1905/06.  26th edition revised.  Details as follows :

Area covered :  London and its environs.

Contents : 336 pages of text.  5 maps and 16 plans.   Over 100 illustrations.  100 pages of wonderful old contemporary advertisements.

Overall condition :  Very good.

Maps :   Very good.   All the fold-out maps are present.  Very little wear.  There is a small tear along a fold of the first map, but no loss and it could be repaired.  No other markings or damage. The maps include a rare and collectable Underground (District Railway") plan with all the lines shown in red and black colours. It is in excellent condition but does have a small (5 cm) closed tear at the inner edge. There is no loss at all, and the tear is invisible when the map is laid flat - see extra scan.