[CHICAGO]. Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Tenth General Assembly, at their Session Commencing December 5, 1836, and ending March 6, 1837. Vandalia: William Walters, 1837.

8vo (229 x 140 mm). (Spotting and browning, vertical tear with some loss near margin on pp. 53-54, some text affected.) Contemporary quarter sheep, ORIGINAL DRAB BOARDS, morocco lettering-piece gilt (extremities rubbed, spine darkened).

FIRST EDITION, DESCRIBING THE INCOPORATION OF CHICAGO AS A CITY. On 4 March 1837, during its session, the Illinois State Legislature passed an act officially incorporating the town of Chicago as a city. This act granted Chicago a municipal government, with the ability to elect a mayor and other officials, as well as establish local laws and regulations. At the time of its incorporation as a city, its population was over 4,000 and there were 29 dry-goods stores, five hardware stores, 45 grocery and provision establishments, 10 taverns, and 19 lawyers' offices. Today, the city of Chicago is a bustling metropolis with a population well over 2.6 million which currently ranks as the 3rd largest city in the United States. RARE: According to online records, we trace no copies at auction in at least a century.