This stereoscopic view shows the streets of Chicago in 1890. It is by Benjamin West Kilburn, who along with his brother established Kilburn Brothers - a photography firm that specialised in producing stereoscopic cards. Here we can see the bustle of everyday life on a Chicago street which would come to life when viewed through a stereoscopic viewer. Three years later, Benjamin was back in Chicago after gaining the exclusive rights to sell stereoscopic views of the Columbian Exposition.
B. W. Kilburn (American, 1827 - 1909)
American photographer Benjamin West Kilburn was born in New Hampshire and became known for his landscape photography and documentation of the migrations that occurred at the end of the nineteenth century. He initially began his career as a partner in his father?s foundry making stoves. Then alongside his brother, Edward, the `Kilburn Brothers? was established ? a photography firm which specialised in producing stereoscopic cards. Although Edward retired from the business in 1877, in 1893 its success climaxed with their gaining the exclusive rights to sell stereoscopic views of the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. During his lifetime, Benjamin made four trips to Europe and on one occasion photographed the Forth Rail Bridge in Scotland.
