London T. Fisher Unwin and L Compagne de Mayville [ Head Office in Calais ] 1896

60 pp + 33 illustrations including one chromolithographic map and one double page imaginary bird-eye's view. Bound in gilt-decorated full brown morocco, with name "Mayville" and its coat of arms on the front cover. All edges gilt. End papers in gilt moiré paper. Edges and spine a little rubbed and end of fold out view a little crushed. This is a presentation book to promote a new seaside resort at the French Channel coast. The plan included proposals for a limited number of expensive villas, a large pier with a gothic pier- end building as well as golf, sea sports etc. The plan was never realised. Instead a French resort, with the name of Paris-Plage, Le Touquet was constructed. There are a number of line illustrations by Phil May, the English caricaturist. He populated, the then imaginary town with imaginary people. The project was the brainchild of John Whiteley. [1843-1922] He was the British entrepreneur who inaugurated the Earl's Court Exhibition Grounds in West London in 1887. After four major exhibitions on the site (1887–1892), he moved to France and in partnership with Allen Stoneham, developed Touquet-Paris-Plage and created Hardelot-Plage. Whilst the Mayville project was not constructed this book is a very good source for its ambitious plan. Bookplate of Robin de Beaumont.