Opened in 1896 on the Pacific coast of San Francisco by the city mayor and entrepreneur, Adolph Sutro, it was the world’s largest indoor swimming pool. The vast glass, iron, wood and reinforced concrete structure was, however, mostly hidden in a small beach inlet below the Cliff House, a building which was also owned by Sutro.
The baths boasted seven different swimming pools (one fresh water and six salt water baths at different temperatures) as well as a concert hall and, at one time, an ice-skating rink. During high tides, water would flow directly into the pools from the Pacific, recycling 2million gallons of water in about an hour.
The lithograph sold at PBA Galleries (20% buyer’s premium) in a December 17 sale.
Very good price
A copy of Pearl S Buck’s 1931 novel The Good Earth also turned in very strong performance at PBA.
This first state copy of what was the USA’s best-selling novel for two years, and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1932, showed a little wear and sunning to the jacket, along with some tiny edge tears. There was also some toning to the pages, but instead of a suggested $200-300 it took a record $4250 (£3150).
