Copelin and Son

Copelin and Son was a photographic firm active in the late 1860s and early 1870s, documented specifically between 1868 and 1873. Known primarily for their documentary photography of the burgeoning urban landscape of Chicago, their works provide significant visual records of civic infrastructure and recreational spaces during this crucial period of American expansion.

The firm's focus centered on capturing local landmarks and civic events, often published as part of the series Stereoscopic Views of Chicago and Vicinity. Five photographs representing the work of Copelin and Son are held in museum collections. These museum-quality photographs include views such as Artesian Well, Central Park, Chicago, and Eagle's Cage, Lincoln Park. Other notable representations document major local events, exemplified by two distinct views of the Grand Inter-State Exposition, Chicago. A key example of their documentary output is Jefferson Park, Chicago, which further illustrates their commitment to recording the city's parks and public works.

The photographs produced by Copelin and Son are preserved in institutional archives, establishing their historical importance. Works by the firm are represented in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, providing verifiable access to their output. Today, these historical Copelin and Son prints and related images are often available through repositories distributing public domain images, facilitating historical study and the creation of high-quality prints for research.