James Parker collection, 1900-2003

1 to 5 of 344 Digital Images shown

See All Right arrow
{'thumbnail': 'https://portal-ccc.s3.amazonaws.com/media/images/uic/99/thumbs/0k2754v.jpg', 'docId': ['publish', 'images', 'uic', '99', '0k2754v.xml'], 'profile': '99', 'ark': '0k2754v', 'inst': 'uic'}
{'thumbnail': 'https://portal-ccc.s3.amazonaws.com/media/images/uic/99/thumbs/hh6d083.jpg', 'docId': ['publish', 'images', 'uic', '99', 'hh6d083.xml'], 'profile': '99', 'ark': 'hh6d083', 'inst': 'uic'}
{'thumbnail': 'https://portal-ccc.s3.amazonaws.com/media/images/uic/99/thumbs/sn01z38.jpg', 'docId': ['publish', 'images', 'uic', '99', 'sn01z38.xml'], 'profile': '99', 'ark': 'sn01z38', 'inst': 'uic'}
{'thumbnail': 'https://portal-ccc.s3.amazonaws.com/media/images/uic/99/thumbs/rr1qf5w.jpg', 'docId': ['publish', 'images', 'uic', '99', 'rr1qf5w.xml'], 'profile': '99', 'ark': 'rr1qf5w', 'inst': 'uic'}
{'thumbnail': 'https://portal-ccc.s3.amazonaws.com/media/images/uic/99/thumbs/057dm4h.jpg', 'docId': ['publish', 'images', 'uic', '99', '057dm4h.xml'], 'profile': '99', 'ark': '057dm4h', 'inst': 'uic'}
  • IdentificationMSPark03
  • TitleJames Parker collection MSPark03
  • PublisherSpecial Collections
  • LanguageEnglish
  • RepositorySpecial Collections
  • Physical Description70.0 Linear feet
  • Date1900-2003
  • AbstractJames S. Parker owned the firm Copelin Commercial Photographs that operated continuously in Chicago beginning in 1856. Mr. Parker's association with the firm began in the 1960s, first as a partner, then as sole owner. The collection's nearly 1,000,000 photographic negatives and prints extensively records Chicago's built environment. It also contains a strong representation of public events held during the administration of Mayor Richard J. Daley.
  • OriginationParker, James S.

Old Resource ID was JParker

James S. Parker's varied work career included time in the city clerk's office, Bureau of Electricity, and as Community Relations Representative for Congressman Frank Annuzio. Parker's connections in these three positions as well as his own candidacy for alderman and congressman resulted in many of the photos of famous Chicagoans and visitors to Chicago.

The James S. Parker Collection consists of approximately 50,000 8" x 10" black and white negatives and 850,000 35mm negatives images of Chicago from the early twentieth into the beginning of the 21st centuries. Mr. Parker owned the firm of Copelin Commercial Photographers, which was in continuous operation s in Chicago beginning in 1856. Mr. Parker's association with the firm began in the 1960s, first as a partner, then as sole owner.

Copelin Commercial Photographers compiled an extensive record of Chicago's built environment. The collection includes photographs of parks, bridges, intersections, private houses and public buildings. The collection is very strong in images of Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood with photographs of sites slated for demolition in the 1950s and 1960s and 2002 photos of the constructions or vacant lots that succeeded them.

Mr. Parker was responsible for managing the legal photography for the city: whenever there was an incident or accident involving City property, Mr. Parker's team was there to document it. Mr. Parker was also the official photographer for Mayor Richard J. Daley, and the collection has a very strong representation of public events. dedications, parades, memorials, and other ceremonies attended by the Mayor.

The University Library acquired this collection in 2003, with funds from the John Needles Chester Trust.

James Parker collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago

A selection of images from this collection can be viewed at Chicago: Photographic Images of Change

  • Subject
    • Architecture.
    • Bridges.
    • Buildings.
    • Chicago Neighborhoods.
    • Chicago Political and Civic Life.
    • Commercial art.
    • Parks.
    • Ruined buildings.
  • Geographic CoverageIllinois--Chicago.