The Great Escape: A Source Book of Delights & Pleasures for the Mind & Body

This is a vintage large-format paperback book titled 'The Great Escape: A Source Book of Delights & Pleasures for the Mind & Body.' Published by Bantam Books around 1974, it measures approximately 9 by 12 inches and features a glossy white cover with bold, psychedelic-style 3D typography in orange and yellow. The cover is densely packed with a wide array of activities listed in small black text, categorized into sections such as AIR, LAND, GAMES, WATER, NOMADICS, and MIND & BODY. These include eclectic entries like 'balloon messages,' 'unnatural history,' and 'kirlian cameras.' Notable markings include the Bantam logo and a price mark of $7.00 in the upper left and $7 in the upper right. The condition of this specific copy appears good, though there is a visible vertical crease on the right side of the cover running through the 'P' in ESCAPE and the word 'PLEASURES,' along with slight corner wear and minor yellowing consistent with age. It is a quintessential reference work of the 1970s counterculture and leisure era, reflecting high-quality graphic design of that period.

I have examined the digital images of 'The Great Escape: A Source Book of Delights & Pleasures for the Mind & Body,' published by Bantam Books in 1974. This large-format paperback is a classic example of 1970s 'Whole Earth Catalog' style counterculture publishing. The cover design exhibits the bold, psychedelic typography and dense layout characteristic of the era. This appears to be an authentic first or early printing based on the listed $7.00 price point and the specific Bantam branding. The condition is assessed as 'Good.' While the colors remain vibrant, there is a prominent vertical crease on the front cover, minor corner bumping, and shelf wear along the spine. These factors decrease the value from a 'Fine' specimen. The market for mid-70s lifestyle encyclopedias is stable, driven by nostalgia and interest in period graphic design. Similar titles from this era typically sell in the $30 to $80 range depending on cover integrity. Because the paper used in these mass-market productions was often acidic, inner pages are likely yellowed and potentially brittle, which is standard for this type of collectible. Please note that an appraisal from a photograph has limitations. A physical inspection would be required to verify the integrity of the binding adhesive (which often fails on books this thick), check for foxing or interior inscriptions, and confirm there are no missing pages or cutouts. No scientific testing is required for a book of this nature, but verification of the printing edition on the copyright page would finalize the valuation.