Public Library, Chicago, Illinois, 1914

Subject: Libraries
Card type: Lithograph
Date: c. 1914 (Golden Age)

Back of Public Library, Chicago, Illinois, 1914, c. 1914 lithograph postcard — Back

About this postcard

The card shows the Chicago Public Library's central building, a massive granite structure with arched lower windows shaded by red-and-white striped awnings, a colonnaded upper story, and American flags flying from the roof and a corner pole. Designed by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge and opened in 1897 as the city's memorial to Civil War soldiers, it served as the main public library until 1991 and is now the Chicago Cultural Center. The card was mailed from Chicago in April 1914 to Frank Winders at the Grand Theatre in Kokomo, Indiana, by a correspondent who had just lost theatre work.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pencil

Chicago, Sunday Apr. 26, 14 Dear Frank:- How are you getting along. I'm out of a job now. The manager of the theatre where I was working wanted to cut down expenses he said and just me piano now. Friday was my last night. I don't know whether I can find work again soon or not but I hope so Yours Stanley E

PostmarkedCHICAGO, April 27, 1914, 09:00

Addressed to

Mr. Frank Winders

Grand Theatre 90 Grand Theatre Kokomo, IN

Postcard record

Postmarked	April 27, 1914, 09:00, CHICAGO
Series	684
Condition	Good
Place addressed	Mr. Frank Winders, 90 Grand Theatre, Grand Theatre, Kokomo, IN
Place depicted	Public Library, Chicago, IL
received	Kokomo, IN
Stamp	1c George Washington, green, issued 1909
Stamp	10c Benjamin Franklin, green, perforated on all sides
Notes	Narrow white border; visible halftone/lithographic dot texture; worn corners and a crease along the right edge. Postmark: CHICAGO APR 27 9-AM 1914 with red flag machine cancel; black KOKOMO IND. APR 28 7-30 AM 1914 machine cancel ties the stamp, plus purple RECEIVED APR 28 Kokomo receiving mark. Divided-back color litho card; pencil message written sideways along left edge; an address line struck through and 'Kokomo' struck in blue pencil with 'Anderson' redirect annotation below; light edge wear and toning.

Cite this card

Public Library, Chicago, Illinois, 1914, postcard, c. 1914. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/public-library-chicago-illinois-1914. Accessed November 2, 2026.