The Modern Colossus of (Rail) Roads – Historic Reproduction
(Originally scanned by the Library of Congress. Each image is professionally and digitally cleaned of artifacts such as color bars and extra borders prior to printing.)
Description
This rare antique lithograph captures The Modern Colossus of (Rail) Roads in remarkable detail. Sourced directly from the Library of Congress, it represents an authentic piece of documented history.
The framed print arrives ready to hang; the unframed option suits custom framing. It makes a striking addition to a living room, study or office, and a thoughtful gift. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. Snapshots of the Past, founded in 2001, has served tens of thousands of customers worldwide.
The Modern Colossus of (Rail) Roads
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Keppler's title borrows from the Colossus of Rhodes, the ancient statue said to have straddled the harbor. Here a giant figure bestrides the rail lines, with the pun on "(Rail) Roads" built into the title. The figure is widely read as a portrait of financier Jay Gould, whose consolidation of western railroads in the late 1870s made him a favorite target of cartoonists. Published in *Puck* in December 1879, the image reflects public unease over railroad monopolies and the concentration of economic power in a few hands during the Gilded Age.
| Created / published | 1879 |
|---|---|
| Medium | 1 print : lithograph, col. |
| Subjects | Color lithograph by Joseph Keppler. Illus. in: Puck, v. 6, 1879 Dec. 10. Reference copy may be in Biog File. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card, with subsequent revisions. Caption card tracings: PI--Works; Railroads--Cartoons; PI; Shelf. |
| Source | Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division |
| Original scan | 994 × 1,536 px · prints to 3 × 5 in at 300 dpi |
| Reference | AMZ-SOTP-HPA-129245 |
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