18. By 1961 the Green Book claimed to list only the best places for travelers
In 1961 the Travelers’ Green Book celebrated its 25th anniversary, announcing in its message that it “…as always…lists only the best places”. By then Victor Green had not been the editor for nearly a decade, with those duties filled by his wife Alma. Green served as an informal advisor, concentrating his own time on the travel agency side of the business. It was claimed in the celebratory message that since the earliest days of publication Green had personally visited and inspected many of the businesses listed in the Green Book, a claim which had not been made in earlier editions, and which was only true of the earliest edition which had covered only New York City and its region.
It was also claimed that Green dropped those businesses which did not deliver the services claimed, but throughout the history of the Green Book the vast majority of businesses listed did not make any claims, simply providing their names and addresses, as well as the type of business they were. As had the Green Book of the preceding year, the 1961 edition ended with a meant to be humorous reminder of driving safely, and it again was aimed directly at those traveling by automobile rather than on the then rapidly fading passenger railroads or by airplane.