Martin Hartzold, bookseller

Generalist concern with ever-developing specialties in automobilia, vernacular photography, and the Midwest. A few items presented here, though most material offered via periodic e-lists and catalogs sent directly to our email list.

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  • [Photograph of the First Train Over the Bellefontaine Bridge]

[Photograph of the First Train Over the Bellefontaine Bridge]

$50.00
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[Photograph of the First Train Over the Bellefontaine Bridge]

$50.00

An original cyanotype-print photograph capturing the first train across the Bellefontaine Bridge, a George S. Morrison Baltimore truss-design built by the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad across the Missouri River connecting St. Charles and St. Louis Counties, about 20 miles north of Downtown St. Louis and just above the Missouri's confluence with the Mississippi.

The print is dated December 27, 1893 in the negative. An article in the Post-Dispatch edition of that day noted the trip "[...] was not the formal opening of the bridge, but a test by the engineer." and further heralded the bridge's potential to "[...] let in all the trunk lines from the north [...]" and "[...] open up the whole northern portion of St. Louis County for suburban home[s]."

[Railroadiana] : [Missouriana]. [Photograph of the First Train Over the Bellefontaine Bridge]. [St. Louis, Missouri] : 1893. A single cyanotype print photograph on thin, plain paper. Approximately 7' x 4 1/2." Small, roughly 3/4," closed tear near center of upper margin, otherwise clean, bright. About very good.

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An original cyanotype-print photograph capturing the first train across the Bellefontaine Bridge, a George S. Morrison Baltimore truss-design built by the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad across the Missouri River connecting St. Charles and St. Louis Counties, about 20 miles north of Downtown St. Louis and just above the Missouri's confluence with the Mississippi.

The print is dated December 27, 1893 in the negative. An article in the Post-Dispatch edition of that day noted the trip "[...] was not the formal opening of the bridge, but a test by the engineer." and further heralded the bridge's potential to "[...] let in all the trunk lines from the north [...]" and "[...] open up the whole northern portion of St. Louis County for suburban home[s]."

[Railroadiana] : [Missouriana]. [Photograph of the First Train Over the Bellefontaine Bridge]. [St. Louis, Missouri] : 1893. A single cyanotype print photograph on thin, plain paper. Approximately 7' x 4 1/2." Small, roughly 3/4," closed tear near center of upper margin, otherwise clean, bright. About very good.