Post Office Telephone Directory Section 269: 1972 Preston Area — 1972 Issue

Post Office Telephone Directory Section 269: 1972 Preston Area, Post Office Telecommunications — 1972 Issue Publication: London, Post Office Telecommunications, 1972 Formatting: 4to, variously paginated. Condition Report: Very Good. The original card wrappers remain structurally sound and firmly attached to the text block, exhibiting some anticipated age-related wear, including slight curling to the fore-edge corners and gentle creasing to the extremities. The flat, unlettered spine is uncreased but shows mild, uniform age-toning. The text block edges are somewhat tanned, typical of the utilitarian paper stock used during this period, with a few internal leaves protruding marginally at the head. Internally, the pages are clean and largely free of markings, though there is evidence of light handling wear and minor corner creases to the preliminary 'Green Pages' section. The binding remains tight and square, presenting a highly respectable and entirely intact copy of a notoriously ephemeral publication. Catalogue Note: This directory is distinguished by its cover illustration of the Preston Guild Procession by Tony Matthews. As it was published during a celebrated Guild cycle, a historic civic festival held only once every twenty years in Lancashire, this particular issue transcends standard telecommunications ephemera to become a highly collectible piece of local commemorative history. Furthermore, the volume is notable for retaining its preliminary 'Green Pages', a fascinating repository of period public information. These sections detail rudimentary automated services such as 'Dial-A-Disc' and 'Dish of the Day', alongside motoring and weather resources, offering rich context for collectors of 20th-century domestic life. A fascinating primary source of regional heritage and a nostalgic time capsule, this Preston Area Post Office Telephone Directory offers a unique window into early-1970s Britain. Published during a historic Preston Guild cycle, the front wrapper fittingly features a distinctive illustration of the civic procession by artist Tony Matthews. Beyond its extensive alphabetical listings of local residents and businesses, the directory includes the iconic 'Green Pages,' a charming compendium of now-obsolete informational services. An essential acquisition for collectors of telecommunications ephemera, local historians, and anyone captivated by mid-century everyday life.…