(4th of July) Broadside, 1776 – 1882 JULY 4TH IN PRAIRIE CITY…, 656 x 505 mm. (25 7/8 x 19 7/8 in.), ([n.p. Illinois ]: Herald Print, [1882]).

A wonderful broadside, prominently featuring a bald eagle atop an American shied at top, detailing an elaborate program for an Independence Day celebration in Prairie City, Illinois* featuring a oration by local attorney, G.W. Peck, “who has just returned from a year’s tour in Europe.” Mr. Peck’s “eloquent oration,” was to be accompanied by a variety of distractions, most prominently, a dinner of “ROASTED OX AND FIVE ROASTED SHEEP,” as well as “GOOD MUSIC” by the “PRAIRIE CITY BAND AND THE GLEE CLUB.” For those less musically inclined, there was an afternoon and evening performance of “THE GREAT NELSON, CHAMPION ILLUSIONIST,” who promised to astonish the crowd with “the great illusion THE DIAMOND SNOW STORM, Illuminated,” as well as “Miss Lottie Melville, wire-walker.”

The evening was concluded by a “Balloon Ascension,” and (of course), “Fire Works at Night!”

Folds with a minor separation at top margin, a few minor marginal tears, light soiling, a few pinholes at top, mild ink transfer, else very good.

(EXA 6063) $850
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^* History of McDonough County, Illinois: Together with Sketches of the Towns… (1885), 218.