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Item Title: Vintage 1936 Bologna Italy Travel Guide Brochure Booklet
Publisher: ENIT (Direzione Generale per il Turismo / Ferrovie dello Stato)
Printed By: S. A. Arti Grafiche Bertarelli (Milano-Roma)
Publication Year: 1936-XIV (Fascist Era Era Calendar Year 14)
Language: German Text (Designed for international tourism)
Format: Softcover Booklet / Vintage Travel Ephemera
Product Overview:
An exceptional and rare piece of pre-WWII European travel ephemera. Published in 1936 by ENIT (the Italian Government Tourist Board) and the state railway system (Ferrovie dello Stato), this official promotional guidebook was distributed to German-speaking travelers to promote tourism to the historic city of Bologna.
Featuring a stunning Deco-influenced graphic cover, the guide mixes a deep architectural dive with classic period photography. It acts as an incredible historical time capsule of regional Italian layout design and political tourism infrastructure from the mid-1930s.
Fascinating Historical Content Includes:
- Striking Graphic Art Cover: Front features an exquisite Art Deco composition overlaying a classical Renaissance portrait with the geometric silhouettes of Bologna’s iconic medieval leaning towers.
- Strategic Transit Map: Features a clean, black-and-white regional transit artery diagram detailing railway/road way splits leading out into major thoroughfares like Saragozza, D'Azeglio, Castiglione, Mazzini, San Vitale, and Independenza.
- Detailed Historical Sections: Rich text modules covering "Das Zentrum" (The Center), "Die Hauptstrassen" (The Main Streets), Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Neptunplatz, and the iconic Arco del Meloncello.
- Archival Photo Plates: Beautifully preserved monochrome photographs capturing the Leaning Towers (Die beiden Türme), Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, the Regierungspalast, and the Justizpalast.
Condition Report:
- Cover: Good vintage/antique condition. Striking color registration on the front graphics. Shows some expected, authentic edge rubbing, light corner scuffs, and minor surface aging typical for a 90-year-old paper document.
- Binding: Spine remains fully secure and intact.
- Interior Pages: Excellent condition. Crisp, clear German text columns and sharp photo plates. Free from heavy hand-inked workshop notes, massive tears, or major damp stains. Displaying only light, natural age-appropriate paper toning.
Ships flat in a secure, moisture-resistant protective sleeve with heavy double-wall cardboard structural inserts to ensure it remains flat and safe during transit.
