Catalog Archive
Auction 195, Lot 295

NO RESERVE - Very Peculiar Travel Guide to Chicago with Map

"The Heart of Chicago"

Subject: Chicago, Illinois

Period: 1890 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
5.6 x 7 inches
14.2 x 17.8 cm
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This 24-page travel guide includes a small untitled map (5.5 x 7.0”) by George Benedict of the downtown Chicago area bounded by Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. It shows the location of the Cosmopolitan Dispensary in red overprinting and 19 buildings are keyed to the map. The accompanying text includes tidbits of more or less useful information (“Ninety-six people out of every 100 have got some disease…”) casually interspersed with reasons for visiting the Cosmopolitan Dispensary. Topics include the Haymarket Riots of 1886, why city women have better health than their country sisters, and how Cortez’ Conquest of Mexico was accomplished. The ad for the Dispensary at the end indicates the Dispensary could deal with any ailment a visitor might have. Paper wrappers (4.0 x 8.0”).

References:

Condition: B+

Folding map and wrappers are lightly toned. Text is mostly clean with a bit of occasional soiling. One leaf is loose.

Estimate: $60 - $80

Sold for: $28

Closed on 11/15/2023

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