Curiosities Collections

Bird’s Eye View of World’s Columbian Exposition

DateDimensionsAccession_numberMaterials

1898H: 20 7/8" W: 25 5/8"851Paper and ink

Marked near bottom center: "Bird's-eye view of World's Colombian Exposition, Chicago 1893". Large aerial view with 133 buildings list and numbered at the World's Colombian Exposition, Chicago 1893. Water areas are colored blue. The rest is black ink on cream colored paper. Lower right corner is marked: "Copyright, 1898, By Rand, McNally & Co."

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This is a close up from the piece of paper on which the illustration was made. The artist has droppings of water colors here, likely used to as a test.

Designed and hand-painted by Mrs. Caroline Scott Harrison with hand painted purple and lavender Pansies. Edge is a cutout lace pattern with gold paint.

Inside cover is heavy cardboard, red edges come out farther than the wood. Inside is pale green. Between each page is a layer of tissue paper. The book is written in Hebrew and opens from right to left. Pages appear to be done by hand.

Closeup on the ribbon on the metal. Appears to be a sleek blue and white fabric with light bouncing off.

Photograph (sepia tone) mounted on heavy board. Images shows 1888 Campaign Ball with D. E. Brockett (designer and builder) standing to the left with other men behind him and to the right side of the ball. There is also a stack of lumber to the back on the right and a shed type building to the left. Below image on board is the following information:

Photograph of crowd in front of Harrison's North Delaware Street home in 1888. Benjamin Harrison is standing near the front door slighlty to the left. Image shows the front of the house as it looked in 1888, picket fence at front sidewalk, and crowd of mostly men and young boys. A few women stand behind Harrison at the front door. The crowd is lined up on the rightside of the walk leading to the front door, in the yard to the left, and on the front sidewalk to the left.

Closeup of the engraved glass on the door. Shows french style patterning with curves and hard edges.

This close up of Caroline's gold dress shows an inscription on the inside that reads,

Close up of a figure on the composition. Shows a soldier hoisting an american flag and a sword, with little detail.

A certificate for a Naval Commission from signed by Ulysses S. Grant for John Parker to be promoted to Ensign in the Navy starting on July 17, 1875. Signed and issued on January 9, 1877. Grant's signature under text at lower right. Also signed by Secretary of Navy Geo. W. Robeson. George Maxwell Robeson (March 16, 1829 – September 27, 1897) appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant as Secretary of the Navy on June 25, 1869. Image of the eagle on top center; bottom center has a blue seal with image of Poseidon coming out of the sea with maidens, etc.

Photograph showing finer details on the dress skirt. There skirt is ornately connected with buttons and lining the accents vertically, in gold. The fabric is lightly wrinkled.

Original Harrison large rosewood and satinwood Renaissance Revival bed. Satinwood panel in tall head board. Large Egyptian medallion in center of head board that matches smaller medallions in chairs. The head board is 8 feet tall with squared feet. Squared urn design on foot board. Foot board has round massive legs. Ornamental pieces in medallions, scrolls, etched designs, etc.

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Curiosities Collections

Bird’s Eye View of World’s Columbian Exposition

Bird’s Eye View of World’s Columbian Exposition

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Bird's Eye View of World's Columbian Exposition

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