Baedeker Baedeker entered a new era. In 1974, the first post-war international guidebook appeared, financed largely by the German airline "Lufthansa"—the voluminous 872-page "Baedekers USA" in German, which had the look of traditional pre-war Baedekers. Florian Baedeker (1943−1980), the only son of Karl Friedrich Baedeker, succeeded him when he died in 1979. After completing his studies in Munich in 1971, he had devoted himself to matters relating to book publishing under the guidance of his father, and had helped him with the preparation of the "Munich" guide, released for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Florian also carried out most of the
Baedeker destruction of their headquarters in Leipzig, with total loss of the firm's archives, in the early hours of December 4, 1943 when Britain's Royal Air Force bombarded the city. See also Baedeker Blitz for Baedeker Raids. Hans was extremely proud of what the Baedeker clan had achieved and not one to give up trying to revive the firm. He received a loan from Allen & Unwin, the London publishing house, which represented Baedeker in Britain, and continued to do whatever he could to rejuvenate the firm at home. On July 1, 1927, Hans celebrated the centenary of its foundation by