The Chronicle because of the grand photograph and beautiful negative space (I lovvvvved that Chronicle photograph), and the Post because of the combination of the two photographs chosen (especially the emotional and appropriate bottom one) and the spot on headline and decks.

I was happy with the Chicago Tribune, and nostalgic seems to be the correct word — if the updated photograph is the one that is counted.

I like the Sun-Times in general, but I am not a fan of what it did for a milestone in American history. It felt off and not in touch with the sentiment of America.

My mini argument for some examples I brought up can be seen here:

http://brianatlas.blogspot.com/2008/11/obama-country.html

I am delighted to read that the pressrooms for both of the city’s papers were humming non-stop yesterday. An historic day for every Chicago newspaper veteran to savor. Save me a copy of the final, will you? I will be by to pick it up after the tourist lines wear down.

How’s Red Streak doing?

Leading the paper with a file photo — as the Sun-Times, your former paper did — on a historic news night displays a remarkable lack of judgment and courage.

I agree it’s a beautiful page, but it could have been done six months ago. We had a stunning file portrait of Obama but chose to go with an actual moment. I’d defend that position any time.

Do you still live in the Chicago area? If so, you certainly must have known that the early cover you posted did not circulate there. Maybe you need to get out more.

I doubt you’ll post this response, but I’ll take comfort in knowing you read it. Go grind your tired old axe on somebody else.

I’m the Page 1 designer at the Tribune. To answer your circulation questions…

That first edition page went to our Midwest/national circulation of roughly 20,000. All city and suburban subscribers, as well as all street buyers, received the version with the photo of Obama in Grant Park. That circulation was roughly 670,000 copies.

This morning and afternoon, we’ve printed another 250,000 copies to meet demand.

For some reason, only the first edition page went to newseum. They now have the main edition version…

Ryan

First edition was set up without a call on the race, initially. But when California and the west coast put him over, we were able to change the headline but not the color. Subsequent editions are significantly different.

That’s the early paper.

The second and final editions didn’t make it to the Newseum site.

It reminds me of Ali’s poem to Harvard students.

simply

Me,

Whee!!

Sometimes the simple things done are the most powerful