12 Issues 1938 Santa Monica CA CASA DEL MAR CLUB LIFE Magazine Beach Club/Hotel

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12 Issues 1938 Santa Monica CA CASA DEL MAR CLUB LIFE Magazine Beach Club/HotelThis is a bound copy containing 12 different sequencial issues of DEL MAR CLUB LIFE, from the collection of a former commercial printing company in Los Angeles, California. (Check my other listings for other material from this collection - some very interesting things here). The Del Mar Club was in Santa Monica CA, on the beach. It was both a social club and hotel. It was an exclusive, invitiation only club which apparently started as a popular prohibition spot. During the war it became a r&r location for service men. (So the events in this issue were the 'last harrah' until the war arrived. There are actually articles about the chances of upcoming war in some of these issues). It still stands today as the Hotel Casa Del Mar. Additional information from the Hotel Casa Del Mar: "On Saturday, May 1, 1926, the Harter brothers, “Jack” and “Til,” who owned the H&H Holding Company, opened an incomparable palace by the sea, sparing no expense. Building the club for the then-incredible sum of $2 million, Club Casa Del Mar housed fine furnishings, Oriental rugs, brass fixtures, bronze statuary and hand-painted ceilings unrivaled by any beach club in America. Designed in an Italian Renaissance Revival style, by noted Los Angeles architect Charles F. Plummer, Club Casa Del Mar offered luxury beach facilities, a sea-level esplanade, an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool, a salon, dining rooms with ocean views and 129 elegant hotel rooms. The Club was instantly the Grande Dame of the shore, attracting elite membership of the well-heeled, including leading business executives and Hollywood starlets. It was the place to see and be seen, as it was known for its swinging parties and festive affairs – Saturday night dinner dances, Sunday afternoon concerts in the Grand Ballroom, Sunday night operas, barbecues on the beach, elaborate floor shows, volleyball tournaments and championship aquatic events. Looking to surpass its Atlantic City of the West reputation, Santa Monica’s beach clubs also provided its members with gambling and cavorting that lasted throughout the night. Club Casa Del Mar lined its balconies with illegal slot machines and offered horse betting at its “Race and Sweepstakes Buffet” on Thursday nights. Thursday evenings became known for small fortunes changing hands, skinny-dipping in the heated indoor pool and flowing illegal “hooch” (with Prohibition still enforced). Such activities were kept “hush-hush” by club members and media alike." For additional information, check out this link. This magazine was issued monthly and covered the many club activities (dances, plays, dinners, art exhibits, recitals, etc). Lots of photos of various members - who probably were the 'upper crust' of the day. Each issue is about 8.5 x 11.5", and runs about 30 pages. The bound cover has a leather spine with leather corners, and gold imprinted title on the spine. The inside issues are in very good condition with no damage found. Minor handling wear. The hardcover has wear, but the binding is still tight. See photos. Guarantee: I want you to be fully satisfied with your purchase. Therefore I offer a refund if this item does not meet your expectations upon initial receipt. I guarantee the item to be as described. I've been buying and selling on eBay since 2000. My feedback speaks for itself. Bid with total confidence. Questions: Feel free to contact me with any questions. You can use eBay's message system and I will reply as soon as I can. Powered by SixBit's eCommerce Solution read more

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