Old Grab Corners, Grand Rapids, Michigan — Stereoview

An elevated view of a commercial junction in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Horse-drawn carriages and loaded wagons occupy the cobbled street, where rails curve between the storefronts. Wooden sidewalks, striped barber poles, and broad shop awnings give the foreground considerable detail; a child in a light dress stands beside the nearest carriage.

The front is captioned in pencil, “Old Grab Corners.” This identification accords with the printed reverse heading, “Grand Rapids Views.”, and the clearly legible pencil inscription, “Down town Grand Rapids.” The card supplies no names for the intersecting streets. Signs within the photograph advertise clothing, an auction and commission house, hats, caps and furs, and a barber shop.

The reverse imprint reads, “For Copies of this View, address SCHUYLER C. BALDWIN, KALAMAZOO, MICH.” Kalamazoo is the address for obtaining copies, not the depicted city. The two photographic prints are mounted side by side on an orange card with a pink reverse. No date or individual printed view title is supplied.

A small spot of surface loss interrupts the sky in the left image, and localized brown spotting is visible in the skies, strongest at the upper right. The street and architectural detail remain clear; the card is otherwise sound.