25 photographs of the 1936 St. Patrick's Day Flood, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Green pebbled leatherette album, 7 x 10 inches. Photos measure in the 2.75 x 4.5" - 3.5 x 5" range, mounted with paper photo corners on dry black paper with short, closed edgetears to the top of the first four leaves, with a small loss to the gutter corner of the first leaf; album and photographs otherwise Near Fine. Series with deckled edges have stamps on the verso: "10 point Nutone Process, Certified by the Photo Finishing Institutes" and "James Lett Co." dated June 1, 1936, and March 16, 1937" (the anniversary of the flood). Others unmarked.

A sober and sublime collection of images showing the city post-deluge: fragile-looking steel mills, submerged trolley cars, men in canoes paddling across gas station signs, etc. The Great St. Patrick's Day Flood is considered the worst in the city's history, destroying over 100,000 buildings and paralyzing nearly every facet of life and industry. The album includes many views of Pittsburgh's downtown--famously situated at the confluence of the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela Rivers--which was estimated to be 65% underwater. Commemorative markers of the incredible water levels remain throughout downtown. Also includes industrial views and a few snapshots of residential areas. All are original photographs, taken by an unidentified bystander with a sensitive eye.