Description:

Charles Frederick Gunther
various, various
Charles F. Gunther Archive, "The Cracker-Jack" King, Famed Collector of Incunabula & More. Ex: Forrest Sweet
Archive

A collection of material related to Charles Frederick Gunther (1837-1901), "The Cracker-Jack King," a Chicago-based confectioner and avid collector of incunabula, bibles, autographs, manuscripts, antiques and oddities, many of which are now owned by the Chicago History Museum. In various formats, with a full list below. Ex: Forrest Sweet, with one of Sweet's 8" x 11" folders included. Condition varies from good to fine. Please review our terms regarding lots of five or more items.

This archive contains the following items:

A pencil autograph note (unsigned) on Gunther's personal letterhead, listing coins purchased "…of Battle Creek Mon Feb. 2/11/13," no doubt from Forrest Sweet. 1p. 8.5" x 11". We are unsure of the writer.

A typed document signed "C. F. Gunther". Chicago, December 12, 1918. A receipt for a payment from Forrest Sweet in the amount of $1,140.00 for "…material he bought…". 1p. 8.5" x 5.5".

A typed document from the Chicago Historical Society, a "Check List of Incunabula in the C. F. Gunther Collection." 7pp. 8.5" x 11".

Two 4" x 5.5" bust photographic portraits by Gibson, Sykes & Fowler of Chicago, both on 5" x 7" mount.

Three identical 4" x 5" photographs by C. M. Bells of Chicago, each on 5.75" x 7.75" mount.

Two printed pages marked "uncorrected" at top, with content about Gunther and his career. One measures 9" x 25", the other 9" x 19". Likely proofs for a biography. Both are a bit worn at edges, while the smaller of the two bears a significant fold tear.

A 4.5" x 6.5" photograph by L. W. Friesleben of Chicago, on 6.25" x 9.25" mount and contained within a 6.25" x 9.5" folder. Bleaching to edges of photograph.

Two 3.75" x 5.5" photographs by Gibson Art Galleries on 7" x 9.5" mount and contained within a 7.33" x 9.75" folder.

A news clipping announcing Gunther's run for Governor.

A 3" x 4" photograph of an unidentified man.

Gunther would come into wealth through his confectionary business, bringing recipes from Europe to an audience eager to partake in novel delights such as caramel (which thus earned Gunther the nickname "King of caramels."). Many claim that Gunther was also the creator of Cracker-Jack, which became all the rage at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. He also introduced novelties such as chocolate candy cigars dubbed "La Flor de Gunther Cigars' de chocolate," likely named so after the popular Cuban cigar company "La Flor de Cano" which was founded in 1884.

Gunther had a truly massive collection in all areas of collecting: he owned manuscripts of Goethe and Michelangelo, a Shakespeare signature, rare maps of America from 1507- onward, significant Presidential material including Abraham Lincoln's deathbed, ethnographic material, art, and more.

Gunther displayed his collection at his original confectioner's store at 125 Clark Street in Chicago. However, it was destroyed during the Great Chicago Fire in October, 1871 (and along with it a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation!). The intrepid businessman quickly re-opened his store the following year, expanding it to house his ever-growing collection.

Gunther was not just any collector with a passion for history; he went to great lengths to bring history to him as well. In 1889, he decided that he needed a structure to house his collection, and thus purchased nothing other than the notorious Confederate Libby Prison in Richmond, VA. The prison was disassembled and brought to Chicago, where it was set up. A portion of the prison became devoted to a collection of Lincoln material, including Lincoln's deathbed.

Gunther's confectioner's store was celebrated as an object d'art in its own right, and its lavish interior a treat for the eyes as well as the mouth. As described in "Chicago by Day and Night. The Pleasure Seekers Guide" (1892): "…Coming to the consideration of candy, confectionery, and fine fruits, the name of Charles Gunther first challenges attention. The Gunther store, 212 State street, is without doubt one of the sights of the city, containing…the Gunther museum, which the proprietor has spent the best years of his life in collecting. The museum embraces curios of all sorts and some of them are of great value…The furnishings of the Gunther store are magnificent…Whether with a view of purchase or not, the store will well repay a visit…".

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 12" x 9"
  • Medium: Archive

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July 16, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000