Albumen photograph showing part of the aftermath of The Chicago Fire of 1871, burned from October 8 to October 10, 1871 destroying the entire city. This photograph, with Cook County courthouse ruins in background, is believed to have been taken by George Barnard (George Norman Barnard, American photographer, 1819 – 1902) , who was setting up a new studio in Chicago at the time of the fire. Able to save only one camera, which he miraculously held above his head as he escaped the flames by wading chest-deep into Lake Michigan, Barnard’s incredible photographic record became the definitive images of the disaster and were reproduced in stereographic form all across the world. This photo is attributed to Barnard and was take after the streets were cleaned, probably sometime in November of 1871. Barnard had an incredible career photographing soldiers and battles during the Civil War - he worked in NYC & Washington DC for Matthew Brady and was given the assignment of photographing Lincoln's inauguration in 1861 - some of the photographs that were signed Brady, were actually taken by Barnard and other employees of Brady. Condition: some discoloration around border and a small hole in the sky area, otherwise good condition. The photograph measures 10 1/4" x 13 1/2" and the cardboard backing 16 5/8" x 13 3/8". The 19th century frame measures 17 3/4" x 20 3/4".