05 Dec rare 1909 chicago athletic association building hardbound special anniversary book joins bldg. 51 museum collection archive
December 5, 2024
in Bldg. 51, Events & Announcements, Featured Posts, Miscellaneous, New Acquisitions, New Products
latest acquisition.
rare 1909 chicago athletic association building “cherry circle” 19th anniversary gilt edge hardbound special issue (given to officers and club members only) with silver gelatin photographic image of club member charles ffrench (president, director, and manager of the iron and steel publishing company) inlaid into book cover board.
the 19th anniversary issue of the cherry circle (the monthly publication of the chicago athletic association) is profusely illustrated, with several halftone images (mainly interior with some exterior) of both henry ives cobb’s 1893 building and schmidt, martin, and garden’s annex as they appeared in 1909.
the inclusion of suites and rooms of notable guests offer a unique and personal touch against the backdrop of the more photogenic and noisy grand spaces (e.g., main dining room, library, lounging room, billiards room, etc.). the utilitarian shops and spaces provided for services and maintenance, round out the visual narrative of bustling activity within the walls of the cojoined buildings.
