Wonders of the White City... and Shadows in Its Wake
 
Explore the grandeur—and the unease—of 1893 Chicago with this original Rand McNally & Co.’s Hand Book to the World’s Columbian Exposition, an official guide to one of the most ambitious and incredible events in American history. Known as the White City, the Exposition was a glittering showcase of art, architecture, technology, and imperial dreams, built to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage.
 
This book is a firsthand looking glass into that world. With detailed descriptions, maps, and guides to the fair’s sprawling marvels, it offers a glimpse into a time when electric lights were miracles, belly dancers shocked Victorian sensibilities, and every invention promised a brighter future.
 
But history would cast a darker shadow over the fair’s legacy. As millions flocked to Chicago for spectacle and wonder, a man named H.H. Holmes—America’s first known serial killer—was luring victims just blocks away, inside his infamous “Murder Castle.” While the White City dazzled, evil thrived in its reflection.
 
Adding a further layer of industrial lore, the back cover of this edition features an advertisement for the Bethlehem Iron Company, a name that would later become Bethlehem Steel, a giant of American industry. It’s a chilling juxtaposition: a utopia on paper, haunted by blood and built on the bones of industry.
 
Condition:
In great overall condition for being over 132 years old! The front cover is slightly detached but remains connected at the hinge. All pages are present, clean, and legible. The binding is fair. Please see all photos for complete condition details.