Boston. Fifty Glimpses of Boston.

Rand, McNally, 1898. Bound with string. Similar but not identical to 1895 edition. One photographer identified was Charles Pollack but most photographers not credited. Half tone reproductions, mostly showing exteriors and interiors of notable buildings, on glossy paper. Good with some soiling and rubbing on covers. Summary:

Published in 1898 by the prominent map and guidebook publisher Rand, McNally & Co., Fifty Glimpses of Boston is a classic "view book" that captures the city during the twilight of the 19th century. Part of a series of urban souvenir books, it provides a visual record of Boston’s transition into a modern American metropolis.

Core Content and Format

The book is structured as a curated visual tour, featuring fifty high-quality halftone reproductions of photographs.

• Architectural Portraits: The "glimpses" focus heavily on Boston's civic pride, featuring then-new landmarks like the Boston Public Library (Copley Square) and the "New" State House with its iconic gilded dome.

• Public Spaces: Significant attention is paid to the Boston Common, the Public Garden, and the newly developed Back Bay district, showcasing the city’s commitment to urban planning and greenery.

• Historical Landmarks: Even in 1898, Boston leaned into its Revolutionary War history, with photos of Faneuil Hall, the Old South Meeting House, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

Key Themes

• The "Athens of America": The selection of images emphasizes Boston as a center of culture, education, and refined architecture, highlighting museums, churches, and prestigious clubs.

• Urban Progress: By featuring wide boulevards and massive granite buildings, the book illustrates the city's wealth and its recovery and expansion following the Great Boston Fire of 1872.

• A Pre-Automobile World: The photographs offer a fascinating look at the "streetscape" of the 1890s, where cobblestone streets are filled with horse-drawn carriages, trolleys, and pedestrians in Victorian attire.

Historical Significance

Fifty Glimpses of Boston serves as an invaluable primary source for historians and architects. Because it was published just before the widespread adoption of the automobile and the rise of 20th-century skyscrapers, it preserves the "human-scale" layout of the city. It captures a moment when Boston was asserting itself as a world-class city of tradition and intellectual rigor.