1908 Chelsea Fire from East Boston Reservoir Postcard - Oil Works Blaze

$ 5.28

Continent: North America Era: Pre-WWII Time Period Manufactured: 1900-1919 Postage Condition: Unposted Signed: No Unit of Sale: Single Unit Brand/Publisher: The Metropolitan News Co., Boston brand: The Metropolitan News Co., Boston Number of Items in Set: 1 Original/Licensed Reprint: Original Subject: Fire Type: Printed (Lithograph) Year Manufactured: 1908 City: Chelsea Unit Quantity: 1 Country of Origin: United States Country: United States Region: Massachusetts Features: Divided Back Unit Type: Unit

Description

1908 Chelsea Fire from East Boston Reservoir Postcard - Oil Works Blaze. This compelling vintage postcard captures a dramatic moment in history: the Great Chelsea Fire of April 12, 1908. Viewed from the East Boston Reservoir, the image showcases massive plumes of smoke billowing over the city, specifically highlighting the catastrophic blaze at the Oil Works. In the foreground, numerous onlookers gather on a hillside, observing the unfolding disaster, providing a poignant human element to the scene of urban devastation. The monochromatic tones emphasize the intensity of the event, offering a stark visual record of this significant New England conflagration. Published by The Metropolitan News Co. of Boston, this postcard features a classic divided back design, characteristic of the early 20th century. It serves as a valuable historical artifact, documenting a pivotal event in Massachusetts' past and the resilience of its communities. This piece is a must-have for collectors of historical disaster memorabilia, Bostoniana, or early 20th-century American urban history.