1927 Randolph Street Chicago From Clark to State Streets in the Year 1865

A most interesting engraving done in aquatint of a street scene in Chicago, by Raoul Varin, presenting Randolph Street from the corner of Clark, looking east to State Street in the year 1865. This one of the more scarce original prints, numbered 10/100 and signed R. Varin in pencil. The work was published by A. Ackermann & Son in February of 1927. Later examples were reprinted in greater abundance in 1933 for the Century of Progress World's Fair. This fascinating work illustrates a vibrant street scene in the Old Chicago, just six years before the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Many Chicagoans wearing mid-19th century city clothes are shown, going about their business of the day. In the foreground, a single horse drawn carriage trots by while many other horse drawn passenger carriages move about Randolph Street. A wealth of detail is given to local businesses with clearly legible signage including that of Baker's Wood Engraving, Pittsburgh Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railway Office, H.M.