1870 CHICAGO CITY DIRECTORY- EVERY RESIDENT & BUSINESS PRE-FIRE Original & Rare

Description

1870 CHICAGO CITY DIRECTORY
JUST BEFORE the GREAT CHICAGO FIRE of 1871
EDWARDS' Thirteenth Annual DIRECTORY of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, and Manufacturing Establishments of the CITY OF CHICAGO embracing a Complete Business Directory for 1870.
A directory of every resident and business in CHICAGO in 1870. Everything changed after the GREAT CHICAGO FIRE of 1871.
Published by Richard Edwards Publishers, 164 South Clark Street, CHICAGO, 1870. This is the original, vintage directory.
Hardcovers, professionally rebound in black pebbled faux leather covers, gilt spine title label, 6x9 inches, thick, 1141 pages plus numerous pages of ads at the front and rear.
These directories were produced as advertising vehicles, so there are ads throughout, many with illustrations.
Originally from the collection of Charles F. Gunther. The bottom of the title page has a small blind-stamp that reads: "Charles F. Gunther / Memorial / Chicago Historical Society" which is where he donated his large library, many volumes of which have been deaccessioned over the years to make space for other items. His business was destroyed in the 1871 Chicago fire. Read a bit about him at the end of this listing
GOOD CONDITION: The rebound covers with gilt titling on the spine are sturdy and attractive; internally, there is tape repair to the first page (a page of ads) and a few other pages here and there, two leaves consisting of pages 367/368 and 369/370 were reattached with white cloth tape neatly applied to the gutter between them, page 369 has a large piece of clear tape (now browned) on its face but the text is clearly legible beneath; otherwise tight, bright, clean, clear and unmarked. Clearly someone wanted to make sure this important directory stayed well bound and complete.
An original, vintage, 1870 Chicago City Directory. A treasure trove of pre-fire genealogy.
About Charles Frederick Gunther (from Find A Grave):
******Charles F. Gunther was a confectionery manufacturing magnate who created the “Cracker Jacks” confection, and is credited with introducing caramel to the American populace. A native of Germany, he founded a candy business in Chicago, Illinois that was completely destroyed by the 1871 Chicago Fire. He rebuilt the business with an even larger candy factory, which became a great success. In 1893 he introduced Cracker Jacks, a confection that combined popcorn, peanuts and molasses. He amassed great wealth from his business, which in his later years he used to collect historical and odd artifacts, many pertaining to the Civil War and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.******