"Monumental grandeur of the Mississippi Valley: now exhibiting for a short time" refers to an 1851 advertisement for a large-scale panorama painting by I. J. Egan, based on drawings by Professor M. W. Dickeson, which illustrated the Mississippi River Valley and its aboriginal monuments. The panorama was presented with a lecture on American archaeology and Native American history. The only surviving Mississippi River panorama, by the same artist, is now in the collection of the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Like the Saturday matinees of the early 20th century or blockbuster movies of today, moving panoramas were a popular form of entertainment during the 19th century. Exaggerated advertisements primed viewers for adventure and spectacle, and narration, music, and special sound and light effects enhanced the experience.

This particular panorama functioned as a scrolling slide show for archaeologist Montroville W. Dickeson, who lectured from town to town about his excavations. It imitates the perspective from a steamboat deck, transporting the audience on an imagined journey down remote waterways.

Overall dimensions are 22.5” x 7.9” and condition is nice.  Save for some very minor corner wear and miniscule separation at the outer edge of the top horizontal fold. Minor water staining is noted at the lower vertical edges but all printing remains bold and complete. Considering its purpose as a disposable item, the condition is quite nice.

These particular advertisements are rare, with only a few surviving examples known to exist.  Each is in an archive, possibly making this a scarce offering to the market.  [cm][ph:L]

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