Exceptional Artifact & Collectible Auction
Lot 412:
Original 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair Division of Works Engineering Plan
Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company Division of WorksEngineering Plan 1903 to 1904
Large original engineering plan and fairgrounds site map for the1904 St Louis Worlds Fair also known as the Louisiana PurchaseExposition produced by the Division of Works Department of CivilEngineering
The printed title block lists Isaac S Taylor Director of Worksand Richard H Phillips Chief Engineer with drafting credits toG Fredrick traced and E D Williams Head Draftsman checked
The printed date reads May 25 1903 with an additional periodpencil notation dated May 25 1904 consistent with internalengineering office distribution or revision marking
Printed on heavy map grade paper similar to poster stock thelarge format plan measures approximately 36 1 2 in by 25 3 4 in
The plan includes detailed civil engineering and gradinginformation contour lines labeled structures including theGymnasium and infrastructure elements such as the IntramuralRailway
These original construction phase plans were used internallyduring the development and layout of the fairgrounds and werenot sold to the public making surviving examples scarce
A substantial and historically significant architectural andengineering document from the pre opening construction period ofthe 1904 Worlds Fair produced directly by the expositionsengineering department
Provenance
From the estate of a dedicated Worlds Fair collector who livedin St Louis and specialized in 1904 Louisiana PurchaseExposition material
Condition
Very good overall with strong printed lines and a clean surface
Minor tatter along the edges consistent with age and handling
Pencil date notation present
Paper retains good strength and lies flat when weighted
Photo was taken using glass to hold down the corners
It scrolls up like a poster
Excellent condition for framing
A rare and impressive piece of 1904 Worlds Fair engineeringhistory ideal for collectors of St Louis exposition materialarchitectural drawings and early 20th century civil engineeringdocuments
Condition: Authentic
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