Early Bird’s-Eye View of Chicago, Limited Edition Copy of Ulysses Available at Hindman

The Illinois Central Railroad opened its doors to the public in 1856. At the time, it was the longest railroad in the world, running 705 miles from Cairo, Illinois to Chicago. The Illinois Central originally intended to enter Chicago from the south but did not receive the necessary permission in 1836. The City Council finally granted Illinois Central the land in Lake Michigan after a prolonged fight. A scarce, engraved bird’s-eye view of Chicago with the Illinois Central Railroad visible is available in Hindman’s upcoming Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana auction. It is a contemporary hand-coloring on four sheets. The Central Railroad features prominently in the lower left of this 1857 piece by James Palmatary. Tracks on trestles protected by breakwaters and dikes over a strip of land several hundred feet out in Lake Michigan can also be seen.

Among books featured in this sale, a limited-edition copy of Ulysses by James Joyce (1882 – 1941) is notable. It is one of only 250 copies signed by both Joyce and Henri Matisse. The illustrations of this edition were completed by Matisse. It includes four to six etchings and 20 reproductions of preliminary drawings on colored paper, as well as the original publisher’s brown cloth and a gilt-decorated upper cover and spine. The sale includes a fine collection of Robert Frost’s poems, books and manuscripts from American presidents, and a rare letter from Al Capone. Find the listed items on Hindman’s website and register to place a bid.