La Crosse Illustrated, Historical, Picturesque, Descriptive -

NP (La Crosse, WI): Art Publishing Company., 1887. First Edition. Rare. OCLC cites ONLY four copies of the original edition. Published in eight individual parts. With a total of 54 photogravures, most full page of La Crosse and surrounding area. 4to, bound in the original stiff printed staple wrappers. A fine set of the photographs and text-blocks, some edge wear to the covers, four covers detached, but a rare and elusive work. FIRST EDITION, RARE EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY OF LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN. No photographic credits are given, but the quality is excellent, with shots of downtown streets with people congregating. The printed text describes places photographed. They are exquisitely crisp, 19th century, artistic, black and white photographs that showcase picturesque views. Many of these sites have changed physically since these were taken, so these photos document an earlier environment.