The Raffles Treasury (hardcover)

The Raffles Treasury (hardcover)
Author

Andreas Augustin and Rebecca Lee

Pages

64

Leather-bound edition

No

Binding

Hardcover with dust jacket

ISBN

9971-84-785-X

Size/Weight

140 x 205 mm


The first of all Treasury books, appeared in 1987, to celebrate Raffles centennial. It was the first paperback (Treasury) book in the Famous Hotels library, and it should become one of the most successful publications in hotel publishing. The first edition was edited by Singaporean Rebecca Lee. It is to an extend based on the precise research work of Ilsa Sharp, whose book There is only one Raffles had been published two years earlier.

The book became famous for featuring the discovery of Raffles' original architectural drawings, lost for over 100 years in the dungeons of a Singapore archive. Andreas Augustin had been looking for them for over one year, finally tracing them down in a dusty corner of an architectural archive in Singapore's North Bridge Road. Raffles General Manager Roberto Pregarz arranged for a huge book launching party, prominently displaying the drawings mounted on boards.

Thus, Raffles renovation and restoration process could begin. Following the discovery of the drawings, the hotel was almost instantly listed as a National Monument of Singapore. One and a half years later it closed for its renovation.

 


 

The cover photography was arranged on the billiards table of Raffles Hotel. The photo was shot by Alain Evrard.

 

The books is today out of print, collectors offer them on the usual markets. The following updated editions had a red cover. Between April 1987 and February 1989, five updated editions were printed.

It does not matter where we are in the world — whether in a Viennese Heurigen winegarden savouring fine Austrian wines, along a sidewalk Bistro in Paris watching the world over a coffee cup, or in a pub on London's Brompton Road soaking up the beer atmosphere — whenever the conversation turns to the Far East and Singapore, the topic of interest is always the same. Not the Singapore is the trade and commerce centre of the South East Asian region, nor that it is the world's second largest port, with a fine airport and communication system. Rathe, the question on everyone's lips is 'Isn't that where the wonderful old hotel is?' And woe betide the ignorant fool who dares to ask 'Which hotel?', for he will swiftly and surely be put in a most uncomfortable position by incredulous acquaintances: 'Why, Raffles of course. Haven't you heard of it? It's been around for ages.'

Publisher's recommendations


Dear wonderful Readers; 

Do you reserve time to read and to prepare your next journeys? This year look out for our new book GRAND HOTEL LVIV (Ukraine) — a bold statement of civil resistance in a war-torn country. 
THE GALLE FACE TREASURY takes you to the exotic island of Sri Lanka. It's one of my heartfelt memories of a wonderful hotel, its owning family and staff. But also it's fantastic history — being the mousetrap for every traveller of note who travelled from West to the South Eastern regions of Asia.

I recommend the new edition of HOTEL METROPOLE HANOI.

The first copies of THE HALF MOON TREASURY are being released – exclusively to our readers (and before its official launching date). 

We have released a reprint of our successful book THE WESTIN EXCLESIOR ROME, the most famous hotel on Via Veneto. 

Upon request, we dispatch all our books personally autographed (as you know).

Have a save journey!

Andreas Augustin

aa at famoushotels dot org

"Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers."

Harry S. Truman

(1884 - 1972)

33rd President of the United States

Most Popular

Mandarin Oriental Savoy Zurich (former Savoy Baur en Ville)

Mandarin Oriental Savoy Zurich (former Savoy Baur en Ville)

Zurich can take great pride in having had such a farsighted entrepreneur, who managed to leave the world two of its most famous hotels. His name was...Read More

Raffles Hotel

Raffles Hotel

The historic building (top, slide to the right): The "new" Raffles main building in 1899. It opened on 18 November 1899, featuring the all new...Read More

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

Since decades “The Oriental”, as it is affectionately known by travellers from all over the globe, leads the lists of most...Read More

Half Moon

Half Moon

In 1952, a group of wealthy individuals including Donald Deskey, the fabled designer (among his works the Radio City Music Hall); Harvey Firestone,...Read More

Mount Kenya Safari Club

Mount Kenya Safari Club

You don your safari gear during the day, but you always dress for dinner. Because Mount Kenya Safari Club Nanyuki is an exclusive retreat. High on...Read More