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Description

Including Mendel Map Firm!

Fine aquatint view of historic Chicago in 1864, showing a bustling scene of commerce at the corner of Lake Street and La Salle Street, looking toward the Marine Bank Building.

Includes a lively street scene, with pedestrians and horse drawn wagons, etc.

At the top left is a sign advertising "Engraving".  This would be the office of one of Chicago's earliest mapmakers, Edward Mendel.

French artist Raoul Varin's limited edition of 31 views of the city (issued 1927-32) have been beloved by generations of Chicagoans. The series of aquatints, based on early photographs and other images from the city's past, were initially published by Ernest Byfield. Financial woes forced him out of the project and the series was completed by the Chicago branch of Ackermann's, the English publishing house founded in 1783. Ackermann's agent W. Russell Button, eventually took over the Chicago business.

Most examples suffer from the poor framing practices of the 1920s and 30s.

Condition Description
Minor toning.