all original late nineteenth century illustrated post card with handwritten letter from the chicago athletic association on michigan avenue. the piece of ephemera features a large, highly detailed photograph of the chicago athletic building facade, and printed text beneath, "388 chicago athletic b'dg. association, chicago ill / illustrated post card co., n.y." the lower section of the rectangular cardstock is blank, and exhibits a brief, green fountain-penned note dated to "march 22nd" and signed by "byers." the chicago athletic association's main building fronting south michigan avenue was constructed in 1893, an ornate 10-story venetian-gothic structure designed by henry ives cobb. the the caa was founded in 1890 by elite chicagoans for the purposes of "physical culture." the organization was a not-for-profit setting where athletic, business, and social activities could overlap. once constructed, the association included cycling rooms, bowling alleys, rifle ranges, billiards, a turkish bath, and swimming tanks, among other amenities for its 1,375 members. the building was modeled on the doges palace in venice, and created an impressive lakefront profile during the world's columbian exposition of 1893. in 2007 the caa was shuttered in 2007 and transformed into a boutique hotel.