Photographs Of The 1893 World's Columbian Exposition

E.R. (PHOTOGRAPHER) WALKER

Publication: ER Walker, Photographer, 1893, Chicago

10 1/2" x 14" in original post-binder, stamped in gilt on front cover. Decorated end papers. Contains 41 silver gelatin photographs, printed on matte finish photo paper stock, sized 7" x 9" and mounted on thick boards, hinged with white linen hinges at gutter margin and all with printed text in lower fore-edge of board numbered 1-8, 10-42. This superb album filled with “official” images of the magnificent Columbian Exposition in 1893, captures the massive World’s Fair which ran almost six months, with grounds and gardens laid out by Fredrick Olmsted covering 630 acres, and a Midway skyline dominated by the 250-foot Ferris wheel designed by George Ferris which could carry 2160 patrons when fully loaded. Walker (fl. 1880-1905) was an art photographer and supplier who was contracted along with C.D. Arnold to photograph and sell images from the Columbian Exposition. Amateur photographers were not allowed on the Exposition grounds, with those trying to enter with their own Kodak cameras forced to lock them up upon entry, and if souvenir images were desired, then fair-goers could chose photographs from sample catalogs provided by Walker, or Arnold (1844-1927), and have albums created to order. Individual images could also be purchased, or one could choose to purchase pre-done, or prepared albums. Images chosen to be included in this album include The Cowboy, and Indian on Horseback statues by Proctor, the caravels Nina & Pinta in the Exposition lagoon, Old Vienna, the Midway with the Ferris Wheel looming in the distance, the Javanese Village, the Fisheries, Manufactures, Administration, Machinery, Art, Agricultural, Transportation, and many other pavilions. Of interest is the photo of the Battleship Illinois replica, which was a detailed full-scale mockup of an Indiana-class Battleship at the Exposition, designed by architect Frank Grogan and constructed of brick, plastered with cement. This reproduction was intended to highlight the U.S. Navy fleet modernization program, yet at the time the Rush-Bagot Treaty forbade warships to operate on the Great Lakes. Walker continued to operate his studio in Chicago until at least 1899 with listings in photography trade magazines at 274 E. 63rd St., and afterwards from 1900-1905 in Hollywood, California where he was partnered with Frank S. Hoover producing photographic reproductions of paintings known as Hollywood Prints. Hoover bought him out in 1905. Walker is known to have produced over 175 professional images of the Columbian Exposition. As was common in the period when tourist purchased the souvenir photograph albums, they specified the images they wanted to buy and there was no set album. This lead to albums with wildly different numbers of photographs; some with as few as 17 and some with as many as 42. Occasional toning, browning to fore-edges of boards, minor offsetting from acid in printed labels, old label for “The Morehouse Photo Album” patented on front pastedown. Scuffing and wear on pastedowns; fraying and scuffing to spine along with wear and scuffing to corners. A very good exemplar, with bright, vivid photographs.

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