Entrance to the Building of the Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, IL, 1896, Henry Ives Cobb

Entrance to the Building of the Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, IL
Henry Ives Cobb, architect(s). From the American Architect and Building News, February 15, 1896. 11.75 by 14.75 inches (with border). VG+.
"The Former Chicago Historical Society Building is the official name of a historic landmark located on the northwest corner of Dearborn and Ontario streets in downtown Chicago...it is a prime example of Henry Ives Cobb's Romanesque Revival architecture, and the home of the Chicago Historical Society prior to relocating to Lincoln Park. This large granite-clad building is simply known as "Excalibur" or "Vision" by Chicago's populace, because it houses two popular nightclubs with those names (Wikipedia)." Probably the first ever photographs of the building, since Cobb replaced the temporary Historical Society facility with this permanent one in the same year these photos were printed. This picture is extremely hard to find. The American Architect and Building News had a very small circulation during this time and these original gelatine prints only appeared in a very limited number of issues that were distributed to a few prominent architects. Has a mat border and foam core backing (not attached to the picture). The whole picture measures 11.75 by 14.75 inches (with border). Extraordinary detail in this early photographic print.