1874 The City of Chicago
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Sketched and Drawn by: Parsons & Atwater
Originally Published by: Currier & Ives
Date of Original: 1874 (Published) New York
Original Size: 24 x 34 inches
This fine print reproduction presents the celebrated first issue bird’s-eye view of Chicago, originally sketched and drawn on stone by Parsons and Atwater and published by Currier and Ives. The original work is a landmark in American lithography and among the earliest large-scale depictions of the rebuilt metropolis following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Currier and Ives later reissued the print in 1892 for the World’s Columbian Exposition, producing far more impressions to celebrate Chicago’s rebirth as a modern city.
The print captures Chicago from an elevated perspective looking westward over the city to a horizon of farmlands that would, in time, become the vast suburbs of “Chicagoland.” In the foreground, the rebuilt business district rises along the riverfront, its new brick and stone architecture symbolizing resilience and ambition. To the south and west, sprawling rail yards, factories, and canal routes illustrate the city’s transformation into the industrial and commercial hub of the Midwest.
Created just three years after the Great Fire, this image embodies Chicago’s remarkable recovery and expansion. Within a short span, the city not only replaced its wooden skyline but also re-established itself as a vital artery of the American economy—channeling lumber, grain, and manufactured goods from the East to the Western frontier by rail and waterway.
Faithfully recreated from the original lithograph, this print preserves the intricate detail, shading, and composition that made Currier and Ives’ work so iconic. It stands as both a historical document and a striking piece of wall art that celebrates the enduring spirit of Chicago.
Inventory # 12311