It was founded and compiled by William Henry Koebel (1872-1923),[2] a prolific author who had a particular interest in promoting trade with South America.
It was compiled as a guide to South America, as well as Mexico and Cuba, for the business traveller, and published by the Federation of British Industry.
[3] Two editions later the book was 'privatised' and in 1924 it became the South American Handbook, published by Trade and Travel Publications Ltd, a Royal Mail Steam Packet Company subsidiary[4] incorporated in December 1922.
[5] At the time, travel was by sea and the handbook gave all the details needed for the long voyage from Europe, including a full account of the journey from Liverpool up the Amazon to Manaus, some 5,898 miles without changing cabin.
Early in the 1970s Royal Mail Lines sold Trade and Travel Publications to the Mendip Press's parent company, Dawson and Goodall Ltd.[4] The handbook continued to be published annually and received updates from readers, including figures such as Paul Theroux and the novelist Graham Greene, who addressed his updates to 'The publishers of the best travel guide in the world, Bath, England'.