Reprinters Row
A collection of reprinted texts and images
from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Iron Gates, German Section (p. 49)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 49 – THE IRON GATES, GERMAN SECTION THE IRON GATES, GERMAN SECTION.—The facade, if it may be so called, of the German exhibit in the Manufactures Building, was as unique as it was attractive. No solid front or imposing arches faced the visitor, but, instead, merely three iron gates connected by an iron fence. But the gates were on [...]
The First Ticket Sold at the World’s Fair?
The following story about Opening Day of the Columbian Exposition on May 1, 1893, comes from “Sketches and Anecdotes of the Fair” in the June 1893 issue of Current Literature [public domain]. A contrasting story published in the Chicago Daily Tribune reported that the first person on the fairgrounds on Opening Day was a man from Oskaloosa, Iowa. Whether or not the story below is true … it should [...]
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Ferris Wheel (p. 48)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 48 – THE FERRIS WHEEL THE FERRIS WHEEL.—What the Eiffel Tower was to the Paris Exposition the Ferris Wheel was to the Columbian. Like the Eiffel Tower, it was a triumph of engineering and an example of metal construction on a gigantic scale, but it had the additional feature of activity. It was in motion, a monster plaything, a [...]
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The French Statue of the Republic (p. 47)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 47 – THE FRENCH STATUE OF THE REPUBLIC THE FRENCH STATUE OF THE REPUBLIC.—The majestic gilded figure which stood at the east end of the great basin in the court of Honor, and which typified the nation inviting her sisters of the world, was not the only representative statue of a Republic to be seen at the Exposition. On [...]
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The German Castle (p. 46)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 46 – THE GERMAN CASTLE THE GERMAN CASTLE.—The most notable feature of the German Village in Midway Plaisance was, assuredly, the German Castle, a manner of structure with which very few save foreign visitors were at, all familiar. It bore little resemblance to the ideal fortress of the Middle Ages, even to those upon the Rhine whence robber barons [...]
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – A Group of State Buildings (p. 45)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 45 – A GROUP OF STATE BUILDINGS A GROUP OF STATE BUILDINGS.—The State Buildings, though dwarfed by the monster structures south of them, made a city by themselves in the north and northwest parts of the Exhibition grounds, and afforded varying and beautiful types of architecture in their exteriors, while among their interior displays were many rarely surpassed in [...]
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – Interior View in the Government Building (p. 44)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 44 – INTERIOR VIEW IN THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING INTERIOR VIEW IN THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.—While the building erected by the government of the United States was hardly counted among the architectural masterpieces of the Fair, it was at least to be expected that the vast resources available would make its exhibits of special interest, and in this respect public opinion [...]
Fake News, 1892 edition
While it may feel like a new problem, fake news has been with us for a long time. Perhaps no day brings more “alternative facts” than does April Fool’s Day. Long before Russian troll farms, the New York press was at it, attempting to undermine the upcoming World’s Columbian Exposition that was set to open in Chicago on May 1, 1893. The January 11, 1892, issue of World’s Columbian [...]
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Great Display of Windmills (p. 43)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 43 – THE GREAT DISPLAY OF WINDMILLS THE GREAT DISPLAY OF WINDMILLS.—One of the most picturesque effects produced on the Exposition grounds was that resulting from the grouping of windmills of all sorts and kinds in competition. From the old Dutch windmill made famous in poetry and story to the latest patented American invention, they were there in the [...]
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR – The Administration Building (p. 42)
PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS Page 42 – THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.—The heart of the great entity known as the Columbian Exposition was in the Administration Building. Here were the offices of the Presidents and here, also, those of the Director-General and some of his immediate lieutenants. From here the vast machinery was directed and controlled, and about here as a nucleus thronged [...]
REPRINT SERIES
Picturesque World’s Fair: An Elaborate Collection of Colored Views (W. B. Conkey Company. 1894)