Antique one-sided embossed photogravure depicting a scene of the exterior of the Horticultural Building in Winter from the Columbian Exposition. The caption tells us this is a "view from the Island. Illinois State Building on the right." The World's Columbian Exposition was a world's fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Published on heavyweight paper by D. Appleton & Co., New York. Full size measures approximately 12.5 x 16.5. Recommended framing area including image, artist/title, and embossed inner white border (that portion of the border that would normally be visible after framing or matting) measures approximately 14.25 x 11. Condition: Print is in very good condition aside from a moisture stain along the left edge and some age browning of white border along the top edge well outside the recommended framing area. There are no pin holes or tape marks anywhere on this antique print. Comments: During the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the Horticultural Building was located at Jackson Park. It was designed by Chicago architecture firm Jenney & Mundie, was 998 feet long and 250 feet wide, and cost $300,000 to build. It contained eight greenhouses measuring 24 feet by 800 feet. Inside were more than five acres of plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, there was an entire pavilion dedicated to viticulture, which is the study of grapes and the events that occur in the vineyard. There were wines from Australia, France, Russia, Austria, Canada, Japan, Germany and Spain. Visitors could walk through a Japanese garden and a German wine cellar in one visit. |