Need some help.....5 years ago my parents and I remodeled their old house. While we were removing all the wood slats and plaster off the walls. We found this old poster behind the slats dating back to 1875 from Chicago & Northwestern Railway. I have searched for info on this and can not find any other photos about this poster. Does anybody know something or is this a rare poster?
Is there a Date on the poster ? I'll bet that someone from the Chicago Historical Society or Metra may be able to assist you. Keep us informed as to what you find
Wow. That would likely be rather rare and possibly a museum piece. Keep it away from UV light. I would agree with contacting the C&NWHS folks. They might have more information on that event. I would also see if there is a historical group in the City of Chicago or Cook County.
Its from 1875, I did email Chicago & North Western Historical Society today. But I'm sure that will take awhile to get a responce back. What is Metra?
If it is really from 1875 (i.e. not a reproduction), that is definitely rare and likely worth a pretty penny. As Boxcab mentions, keep it away from UV and other nasties. It would be worth having an expert look at it to authenticate it - that's where the historical society folks could help you. And to echo the rest of the people here - WOW!!!:we-eek:
Try the Union Illinois Railway Museum they may be able to shed some light on the poster http://www.irm.org/
Seeing that your in Peshtigo You may also want to check with the Peshtigo Historical Society, With the poster dated at 1875 that is just 4 years after the great Peshtigo Fire 10/8/1871 the same day as the Great Chicago Fire. The C&NW RR transported lumber and workers from Peshtigo to Chicago in that time frame.
Its definitely not a repo, you can tell by the paper texture. I will email the Peshtigo Historical Society and see if they respond back.
Okay...just recieved an email from C&NW Historical Society, This is what they emailed me back, " Thanks for contacting us at the C&NWHS about the poster. It is certainly rare, and I don't remember what Exposition it refers to. The big one was the next year which was the national Centennial. I do wonder if they were selling tickets to the Centennial one, as the building on the poster suggests . You may have the only such poster in existence. However, I need to check with my colleague, who is more of an expert on this time period. I will see him next week, so I printed out the attachment that you sent. Thanks, Joe. "
If that's the only one left... then you have a unique piece of history in your hands. That's even more precious than the value of the poster.
