Overview
A large-format professional maritime photograph of the steamer Ishpeming, a classic 'straight-decker' bulk carrier that defined the industrial era of the Great Lakes.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Original Great Lakes Bulk Carrier 'Ishpeming' Photograph, c.1906-1915
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
Launched in 1906 at the Great Lakes Engineering Works in Ecorse, Michigan, the Ishpeming was a 500-foot steel titan designed to feed the insatiable hunger of the American Industrial Revolution.
Maker / Origin
While the photographer is not explicitly named, this work is consistent with the high-end maritime documentation performed by firms like the Detroit Publishing Company or Young, Lord & Rhoades.
Condition & Value
The photograph itself remains remarkably sharp, though it shows some age-related silvering and minor surface scuffs. Value is driven by the specific ship's popularity among maritime historians and the rarity of large-format original prints compared to mass-produced postcards.
Research
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