Click images to enlarge
Description
You are bidding on an original Stereoview/Stereograph SV card, titled: Powers' Block - 1812, Rochester, NY. by W. F. Carnall, card # 1, 1870's.
Looking at this Stereoview through a Viewer, is like using Google 3D when looking at a Map.
To see all of my "Stereoview Cards" click here.
To see all of my historical "Cabinet Cards" click here.
Notes:
A former clerk at a local hardware store, Daniel Powers became a prominent member of Rochester's booming business community during the 1850's. Described by many as "larger-than-life", Powers was a successful banker and city leader, as well as a notable patron of the arts in Rochester. In 1863, Powers bought a large block of downtown real estate and, within five years, had razed every building on it. With his new development opportunities, Powers made an ambitious goal for himself. He was determined to own the tallest building in Rochester. Construction began in 1865 on the exact location of Rochester's very first permanent residence, a log cabin belonging to settler Hamlet Scrantom. After five years, the first iteration of Powers' grand new building was dedicated on January 18, 1871. Designed by local architect Andrew Jackson Warner in the Second Empire architectural style, the Powers Building was not only the tallest building in the city- it was the first large fireproof building and the first building to have elevators as well. With ten acres of floor space, it was also structurally massive for the time period.
However, the ornate, huge building was not enough for Daniel Powers. After a taller structure was erected nearby, Powers had both a two-story tower and an extension of the mansard roof added in 1872. Another roof was added in 1881, followed by a third in 1889. Powers' final addition to his building was in 1890, when a five-story tower was constructed on the roof.
The Powers Building was also home to the largest private art gallery in New York. Powers converted the entire fifth floor into a gallery to hold his expansive collection of works he acquired on various European trips. The public was admitted to the gallery at a cost of 25 cents. The rest of the building's floors were mainly used for office space. In the 1880's, Powers decided to construct a luxury hotel in a neighboring plot to the Powers Building. Completed in 1883, the Powers Hotel was opened to the public. Famous individuals such as Mark Twain, Babe Ruth, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt all stayed at the Powers Hotel during its existence. In February of 1895, when Fredrick Douglass’s body was being laid to rest, his family rested at the Powers Hotel in between the public viewing of Douglass’s body and the church ceremony.
Prior to his death in 1897, Daniel Powers intended to donate his art collection to the city- which would have made it the first publicly owned gallery in Rochester. However, when the city refused to supply tax breaks for the gallery, Powers withdrew his offer and most of the works were sold in New York auctions by his family. In 1973, the Powers Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Powers Hotel closed in the mid-1900's and stripped of many of its defining architectural features. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. (ref. theclio.com/entry/54971)
Size: 3.5" by 7"
Subjects: Architecture, Building, Log Cabin, Index
Photographer: William F. Carnell, 18 Buffalo Street, Rochester, NY.
Date: circa 1870's.
Info:
Stereoscopy or Stereoviews have two nearly identical images mounted side by side and were taken by a Stereo Camera. When looked at through a stereo viewer they give a three-dimensional image. Most popular from 1850’s to 1930’s and they usually measure about 3 ½" by 7" (please see images).
Some of the subjects will be:
Alaska, Austria, Boston, California, Celebrities, Chicago, Colorado, Comedy, Cuba, Egypt, Florida, Industry, Ireland, Italy, Japan, London, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York City, Niagara Falls, Paris, Pennsylvania, People, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Rome, San Francisco, Scotland, St. Louis, Tragedies, Virginia, Volcano's, Washington DC, Wisconsin, Yellowstone and Yosemite.
Condition: VG/EX-EX (edge & corner wear, Writing on the back), (please see the images).
Please checkout my 1880's Baseball Victorian Trade cards in my Ebay Store
Please checkout my 1870's Baseball Tintypes in my Ebay Store
Please checkout my Movie Glass Slides in my Ebay Store
Please checkout my NASA Items in my Ebay Store
Visit My eBay Store
To see all my Postcards
To see all my Movie Items
To see all my Disney Items
To see all my Baseball Items
To see all my Boy Scout Cards
To see all my Stereoview Cards
Add me to your Favorite Sellers and Sign up for my Newsletter
This Item will be shipped securely. I will combine lots to save on the shipping costs and I use USPS Ground Advantage (the old 1st class) shipping (it gives both of us tracking of the package).
Please look at my other Auctions for more Collectibles of the 1800's-1900's