“The City of Chicago showing the Burnt District.”

A wonderfully detailed antique print of Chicago based upon a view by Currier and Ives, and published in 1874 by Harper’s Weekly.

Lake Michigan occupies the foreground of the image with many sailing ships and steamships plying the waters. The view extends from the South Side to the near North Side and far into the distance, beyond the buildings and across the bridges over the Chicago River. The vibrancy of the city is apparent but the area affected by the Great Fire of 1871 is also shown. The key below locates the South Side, Lake Park, Burnt District, Atkins Theatre, First Baptist Church, Gardiner House, Crystal Palace, Michigan Southern, C.R. I. and P. Depot, Palmer House, New Government Building, Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago River, Great Central Depot, P.F.W. and C. C. A. and St. Louis Depot, Chamber of Commerce, Central Elevators, City Hall, Tremont House, Sherman House, West Side, and North Side.

In the nineteenth century, before photography became commonplace, newspapers, guidebooks, and periodicals were illustrated with wood engravings. Many of the best artists and engravers of the day earned their bread and butter creating wood engravings for Harper’s Weekly. They produced beautiful views that are technically superb original nineteenth century prints, invaluable for the historical information they provide. The original prints provide glimpses into the daily life of the period and information concerning architectural detail.

Hand colored wood engraving.
16 ½ x 21 ¾ inches, sheet.
Archivally framed to 24 x 30 ½ inches, overall.
Excellent condition save slight separation along centerfold at bottom.