Catalog Archive
Auction 186, Lot 242

"[Map in Book] San Francisco Burned District [in] Glimpses of the San Francisco Disaster...",

Subject: San Francisco, California

Period: 1906 (published)

Publication:

Color: Printed Color

Size:
13.1 x 10.1 inches
33.3 x 25.7 cm
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This fascinating and dramatic map was produced by William H. Lee. It vividly depicts large red flames consuming a huge swath of San Francisco - a devastating fire that burned for three days and consuming buildings in more than 500 blocks in today's financial district. An inset at bottom left underscores the magnitude of the fire, comparing it to the smaller fires in Baltimore and Chicago. Despite the alarming map and inset, the "Plain Facts" intended to reassure the audience: "The public must not conclude, from the graphic descriptions and many scenes of the burned district, that the beautiful Golden Gate city has been entirely destroyed…The new San Francisco will be grander and more beautiful.”

The map is still bound to the front of Glimpses of the San Francisco Disaster published by Laird & Lee in Chicago with 116 photographic illustrations of the "Startling, Realistic Views of the Terrible Catastrophe." Oblong octavo with original paper wrappers showing the fire. Accompanied by a partial publisher's envelope.

References:

Condition: A

The folding map is clean and bright with a couple of extraneous creases at top. Photographic illustrations are also near fine. Covers have minor wear, and the accompanying publisher's partial envelope is torn and tattered (not factored in condition grade).

Estimate: $300 - $375

Sold for: $150

Closed on 2/9/2022

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