1896 Western Litho. Chromolithograph of the Colorado Mining Stock Exchange, Colorado Springs

This is a spectacular c. 1896 Western Lithographic and Denver Times chromolithograph broadside celebrating the Cripple Creek Gold Rush and the Board of Trade and Mining Exchange in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Cripple Creek Gold Rush was one of the last great American gold rushes, marked by its innovative use of stock exchanges to finance rapid development and large-scale mining operations.

A Closer Look

A view of Cripple Creek, Colorado (then a mining boom town) occupies the top quarter of the broadside, just below the title and the proclamation that the exchange 'sells more mining stock daily than any exchange in America'. A diagram of 'the Great Independence Mine' appears at center. (This mine, owned by Winfield Scott Stratton, produced 200,000 ounces of gold between 1893 and 1899.) The diagram illustrates the mine's shaft and six levels. Vignettes depict the supportive timber framework and miners hard at work. To the right is an illustration of a miner and a drawing of the proposed building Stratton was constructing for the Board of Trade and Mining Exchange. To the right is a view of the trading floor. Cartouches occupy all four corners and provide statistics concerning shares sold, commissions, gold production, and other important figures. A list of the exchange's members appears in the lower right.

The Board of Trade and Mining Exchange of Colorado Springs

The Board of Trade and Mining Exchange of Colorado Springs was organized in May 1894 and grew to be the largest in the world. It was a kind of stock exchange where mines in Cripple Creek, Colorado, and Victor, Colorado, sold shares to finance production and exploration. The exchange operated from 1894 until 1925, and, at its peak, its trading floor saw more than $34 million in annual transactions. The exchange closed in 1925, but the Colorado Springs Stock Exchange was organized soon after and operated until January 1967. Winfield Scott Stratton constructed the Colorado Board of Trade and Mining Exchange building, which survives today as a boutique hotel.

Cripple Creek Gold Rush

The Cripple Creek Gold Rush, which began in the early 1890s, transformed the town of Cripple Creek, near Colorado Springs, into an epicenter of gold mining. The rush was sparked by the discovery of gold by rancher Bob Womack in 1890, leading to a massive influx of prospectors and investors eager to capitalize on the newfound wealth. The rush was further distinguished by the introduction of sophisticated mining exchanges, which operated as stock exchanges to finance the rapid exploration and exploitation of new mines. Within a few years, the Cripple Creek Mining District became one of the richest gold fields in the United States. The rush attracted thousands, leading to the development of substantial infrastructure, including railroads, mines, and mills. Cripple Creek's population swelled, and it soon became known for its bustling streets, grand hotels, and notorious saloons. Despite the challenges of high altitudes and harsh winters, the boom continued into the early 20th century, significantly contributing to Colorado's economy and solidifying Cripple Creek's legacy as one of the last great American gold rushes.

Chromolithography

Chromolithography, sometimes called oleography, is a color lithographic technique developed in the mid-19th century. The process involved using multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to yield a rich composite effect. Oftentimes, the process would start with a black basecoat upon which subsequent colors were layered. Some chromolithographs used 30 or more separate lithographic stones to achieve the desired product. Chromolithograph color could also be effectively blended for even more dramatic results. The process became extremely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when it emerged as the dominant method of color printing. The vivid color chromolithography produced made it exceptionally effective for advertising and propaganda imagery.

Publication History and Census

This broadside was created c. 1896 by the Western Lithographic Company and the Denver Times in Denver, Colorado. 1896. This is the only known surviving example.