International Cotton Exposition. (Atlanta, Georgia, 1881.) Report of the Director-General
New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1882.
First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. [1], vi, 610 pages, [3] pages advertisements, [1]. Errata page not numbered and is located between pages 342, 343. Green cloth hardcover with illustrated gilt title inside a gilt circle on the front cover. Gilt title on the spine. Some rubbed spots to the cloth covers and spine. Light edge wear to the cloth extremities. The frontispiece is vertically creased and foxed. Pages 7 and 8 are loose. Binding cords visible in several sections but no other loose pages. Small piece of tape on the edge of pages 321 and 327. Hinges are in good condition. Light toning to the text. Illustrated with frontispiece engraved portrait of H. I. Kimbal, 4 plates in text, folding "Plat of the Grounds and Buildings International Cotton Exposition, Atlanta", engraved plate - "The Compound Tubular Steam Boiler Gold Medal Awarded...", 2 more engraved plates, a few illustrated advertisements, and a folding plan - "Model of the Willimantic Company's Works at Willimantic, Conn." Detailed contents make up this comprehensive report including history, speeches, reports, agricultural sections, a variety of forms and documents, lists of groups, awards, committee members, and much more. A nice inscription written on the front blank end sheet from Samuel Inman, one of Atlanta's leading citizens of the period (Inman Park is named after Samuel Inman). Inscription reads - "Henry S. Cave Compliments of Saml M. Inman Treasurer Atlanta Ga. June 23, 1884." H. S. Cave (who is buried in Oakland Cemetery) inscription is written on the verso of the frontispiece. Another owners name in pencil on the front paste down - "Augusta Wylie King." A later owner's address mailing label located in the upper left corner front paste down. Good. Item #26919
From the New Georgia Encyclopedia:
Atlanta held its first exposition, named the International Cotton Exposition, in Oglethorpe Park in 1881. The city then had fewer than 40,000 residents, and the primary sense in which the first exposition was “international” was the display of cotton plants from around the world. Nevertheless, Atlantans were eager to host the 1881 exposition to promote investment and to help the city toward its goal of becoming an industrial center, which was a primary component of Grady’s “New South” concept. Although attendance was lower than expected (fewer than 200,000 in paid attendance during its two-and-a-half-month run), city leaders demonstrated that they could work together to host a major event and that Atlanta was serious about its role in textile production at a time when the North was beginning to grow dissatisfied with the efficiency of southern cotton processing. The exposition displayed new crop planters and cotton seed cleaners, along with a model of Eli Whitney’s original cotton gin, and speakers addressed the crowds about agricultural technology and political reforms.
Price: $500.00