Reprinters Row
A collection of reprinted texts and images
from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition
112. Picturesque World’s Fair – A Group of Singhalese
A GROUP OF SINGHALESE.—The Singhalese seemed to have a good time of it at the World's Fair. Their country was well represented by a charming building and fine exhibit of the products of the land, and the people themselves, in family groups, had both occupation and amusement. The old hymn to the effect that "Ceylon's lovely Isle" is a place where nature has done pretty well and "only man [...]
Love on the Lagoon at the 1893 World’s Fair
A romantic ride in an authentic Venetian gondola was a dreamy treat for many visitors to the 1893 World’s Fair. Guiding these craft through the Grand Basin and Lagoon were fifty-seven Venetian gondoliers brought from Italy by the World's Fair Venetian Gondola Company of Chicago. A Venetian swan gondola gliding across the South Canal, along the western side of the Agricultural Building at the 1893 World’s Fair. [Image [...]
111. Picturesque World’s Fair – A group of Arabs, Turks and Bedouins
A GROUP OF ARABS, TURKS AND BEDOUINS.—If there be a region in the world where caste and race distinctions are forgotten where the religion is the same, it would appear to be in northern Africa, for the people at the Fair from that continent seemed utterly devoid of prejudice as regarded each other. The group here represented should have the addition of some swarthy Nubian chief, to convey a [...]
This brilliant architect and designer, John Wellborn Root
January 15, 2021, marks the 130th anniversary of the death of architect John Wellborn Root in 1891 at the age of 41. As Consulting Architect to the 1893 World’s Fair with his partner Daniel Burnham, Root’s invaluable contributions are recorded by Harriet Monroe in her chapter “The World’s Columbian Exposition” in John Wellborn Root: A Study of His Life and Work (Houghton, Mifflin & Company, 1896), reprinted here. On [...]
110. Picturesque World’s Fair – Javanese Sweethearts
JAVANESE SWEETHEARTS.—The flavor of soft sentiment and romance almost civilized which pertained to the village of the gentle Javanese crystallized in one instance very prettily. Never, probably, did two Javanese before make so long a bridal tour as a couple who were at the Fair, for it extended from Chicago to their home in Java. Had they but fallen in love and wedded a little earlier they might have [...]
December 24, 1890: An Invitation to all the Nations of the Earth to Exhibit at the World’s Columbian Exposition
One hundred and thirty years ago today, the President of the United States extended an invitation to the nations of the world to come together for a World’s Fair in Chicago. President Benjamin Harrison. [Image from Campbell, James B. Campbell's Illustrated History of the World's Columbian Exposition, Volume I. M. Juul & Co., 1894.] December 24, 1890 By the President of the United States of America A [...]
109. Picturesque World’s Fair – Athletic Pastimes in A Street In Cairo
ATHLETIC PASTIMES IN A STREET IN CAIRO.— They were unquestionably a merry lot who made up the resident population of a Street in Cairo, so full of animal spirits as to often engage in their pastimes, even when there were no visitors in attendance. Naturally, among such people, with such lives as theirs had been, physical prowess was held in high esteem, and the hero of a combat with [...]
“Halcyon Days in the Dream City’’ Part 17: “Vale”
Halcyon Days in the Dream City by Mrs. D. C. Taylor Continued from Part 16 The sun has set for the last time on the World's Fair of ’93; for the last time his dying smile has lighted up the fairy courts, the gleaming splendor of statue and portal. Slowly as he sinks to rest, so slowly, solemnly, sinks the forest of fluttering flags and banners; each tall staff [...]
“Halcyon Days in the Dream City’’ Part 16: The Transportation Building
Halcyon Days in the Dream City by Mrs. D. C. Taylor Continued from Part 15 Let us go through the “Golden Gate,” not the gate of the Holy City, but a gate the architect of which must have been dreaming of wondrous Bible imagery, when he designed it.[1] Arch beyond arch, receding, diminishing as they recede, till the last one is about the dimensions of some grand cathedral door, [...]
“Halcyon Days in the Dream City’’ Part 15: The Palace of Art
Halcyon Days in the Dream City by Mrs. D. C. Taylor Continued from Part 14 What is "Art?" Perhaps we are not qualified to say, but to us, “It” is “Truth.” Not merely truth of detail in drawing; though that is necessary to a finished picture, not merely truth of coloring; though that also, must be had, but truth in its highest sense. When a man stands near to [...]
REPRINT SERIES
Picturesque World’s Fair: An Elaborate Collection of Colored Views (W. B. Conkey Company. 1894)