Two illustrated letter sheets of Peoria, Illinois, published and executed by local printer and mapmaker Simeon De Witt Drown, who also produced the first town directories of the town. Both sheets are undated, but likely printed between 1852-1853.
1) Dual illustrated text and letter sheet, with lakeside illustration with steambots "View of Peoria, Illinois, 1852" and map "Plat of the City of Peoria". On bifold sheet, scarring to blank side where letter was removed from scrapbook, with two and a half page manuscript letter datelined April 1853, Adams, Illinois, from Robert Inghram.
2) Tri-view illustrated text and letter sheet, with "View of the City of Peoria, Illinois, in 1832"; "View of Peoria Lake, from Prospect Hill"; "View of Peoria, Illinois, 1852", the final illustration matching that on the first letter sheet. On split bifold sheet, tape mark repairs to blank reverse of printed portion, with two page letter datelined Peoria, April 13, 1854 from Thomas Lake.
Aside from the auction where these were purchased, this bookseller has been unable to locate any other copies, whether in commerce or in institutional collections.
