Catalog Archive
Auction 117, Lot 254

"Blanchard's Guide Map of Chicago", Blanchard & Cram

Subject: Illinois, Chicago

Period: 1867 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
13 x 18.3 inches
33 x 46.5 cm
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This is a very scarce pre-fire Chicago map. The map has a long list of "Additions and Subdivisions" giving corner and section, township, and range information at right. Folds into gilt-stamped cloth covers (4 x 5.6") with the title "Guide Map of Chicago," with the title page pasted down on inside front cover, as issued. The 24 pp Chicago City Street-Guide also contains sections on Railroad & Transportation Co's, Theatres, the Dearborn Observatory, Artesian Wells, Suburban Towns, Colleges and Seminaries, Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph locations, the Hack Ordinance, and more. George Franklin Cram and his uncle, Rufus Blanchard, formed Blanchard & Cram on March 18, 1867 in Evanston, Illinois. Cram became the sole owner in early 1869 and renamed the company the George F. Cram Company. A scarce, and most likely, first edition of this map.

References:

Condition: A

The map is printed on fine banknote style paper with original hand coloring. The covers are split at the spine with the map attached to the rear and the street guide attached at front cover. The covers show little wear.

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Sold for: $400

Closed on 12/6/2006

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