Unattributed “Exterior View of Coliseum for the Grand National Peace Jubilee” [Copley Square, Boston]

Unattributed.   “Exterior View of Coliseum for the Grand National Peace Jubilee.”  [Copley Square, Boston]. 

Boston: New England Lithographic Co., 1869.  11 3/4 x 17 1/2 (image) plus margins.  Tinted lithograph.  Vertical fold center of print.  Some minor surface blemishes, not affecting image.  Overall, very good condition.  

A fine view of the Coliseum built for the Grand National Peace Jubilee held in Boston during June of 1869.  The National Peace Jubilee was a celebration that commemorated the end of the Civil War which was organized by Patrick Gilmore who was a well known local composer and bandmaster at the time.   

This building stood where Trinity Church and the Copley Plaza Hotel are now located.  Large crowds are shown filing into the building, with pedestrians and carriages shown in the foreground.  Troops are also seen parading by, with one mounted group pulling cannon in the middle ground.  The print also includes two small advertisements in the bottom margin, for the lumber dealers and contractors for the Coliseum.  Most likely this print was issued to promote the event and also act as a souvenir for those who attended.