L. W. Currey, Inc.

(California; San Francisco; 1894 Midwinter Fair). Graham Charles. WATER COLOR SKETCHES OF THE WHITE CITY AND THE SUNSET CITY [cover title]. San Francisco: Published Exclusively by "The Examiner," 1894. 21.5x29.5 cm (8 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches), 20 plates with chromolithograph illustrations, plus cover illustrations and four supplemental views, original pictorial linen-backed chromolithograph wrappers, string tied. First edition. Part one (apparently all published) plus four additional plates designated "San Francisco Examiner Art Supplement." Charles Graham was "Director of Color of the California Midwinter Fair." Some of the color lithographs have the imprint "The Winters Art Litho. Co., Chicago." Charles Graham (1852-1911) was a self-taught itinerant artist who worked for HARPER'S WEEKLY and other national magazines in the 1870s and 1880s. He had studios in San Francisco at various times between 1883 and 1896. He was director of color at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and served in the same capacity the following year at the California Midwinter Fair where he also illustrated the souvenir guides. See Hughes, Artists in California 1786-1940, p. 182. The California Midwinter Fair, held in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, was extremely successful: it made money while promoting winter travel to the Golden State. "The California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894 was the state's first international event and as such, was a landmark in her history. Purposely held in winter, it showcased the the glorious climate of the Golden State and followed on the heels of the vastly successful World's Columbian Exhibition held in Chicago in 1893 ... The fair did much to attract visitors to California ... The Midwinter Fair was extremely successful and had a lasting impact not only in San Francisco but also in the state's southern realm ... San Francisco was host to another international event two decades after the Midwinter Fair: in 1914, one of the most important events in California history took place there -- the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Although the PPIE was larger and grander that its predecessor, its heritage may be traced to the pioneering Midwinter Fair of 1894" (Victoria Dailey, California's First International Exposition: The Midwinter Fair of 1894). Not in Cowan (1933; 1964) or Rocq (1970). String tie is missing. With the exception of tiny nicks in two margins and mild tanning to two margins, the twenty plates in the main portfolio are in fine condition. The inner surface of the covers is a bit foxed. Creases and short tears in the margins of two supplemental plates have been professionally mended. An excellent copy overall. Quite scarce; seldom found with the supplemental plates. (#167662).

Price: $650.00