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original 19th century antique american "views of the ruins of chicago" stereoview card depicting the chicago courthouse bronze bell surrounded by limestone walls
  • original 19th century antique american "views of the ruins of chicago" stereoview card depicting the chicago courthouse bronze bell surrounded by limestone walls
  • original 19th century antique american "views of the ruins of chicago" stereoview card depicting the chicago courthouse bronze bell surrounded by limestone walls
  • original 19th century antique american "views of the ruins of chicago" stereoview card depicting the chicago courthouse bronze bell surrounded by limestone walls
  • original 19th century antique american "views of the ruins of chicago" stereoview card depicting the chicago courthouse bronze bell surrounded by limestone walls
original 19th century antique american "views of the ruins of chicago" stereoview card depicting the chicago courthouse bronze bell surrounded by limestone walls

original 19th century antique american "views of the ruins of chicago" stereoview card depicting the chicago courthouse bronze bell surrounded by limestone walls

SKU: UR-22073-15
BLDG. 51 MUSEUM COLLECTION
single all original c. 181-72 highly collectible antique american stereoscopic card featuring the badly damaged oversized chicago courthouse bronze bell after it crashed into the building's foundation during the great chicago fire of 1871. the devastating scene shows the centrally located bell surrounded by limestone foundation walls and uniformed officers that were likely assigned to watch over the bell until it could be moved into storage. the badly mangled bell was later melted down and made into several hundred souvenirs in the form of fireman hats, miniature bells and commemorative coins. the image was taken by famous post-fire chicago photographers copelin & hine, who along with others, documented the fire's aftermath in great detail throughout the "burnt district." the "views of the ruins of chicago" stereoview (and likely several others pertaining to the aftermath of the fire) were printed and distributed by j. a. stoddard, 248 fulton street, chicago, il. the applied albumen photographic prints are in great condition, with very little surface wear. the heavy orange cardstock with rounded edges remains in great shape, considering age. the paper label containing stoddard's information is found on the backside of the card.

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