Views of the World’s Fair

Uncommon souvenir capturing intimate details from the Columbian Exposition.

Though there is no title page or publisher’s information provided, details on the spine indicate this collection of views of the Columbian Exposition was compiled by Joseph Stoddard and published in 1894, based on the copyright date of the photographs therein. Over 200 pages show wonderful scenes of the architecture, attractions, and exhibits available to the over 27 million attendees.

The crystal clear images offer an incredible window into the World’s Fair, held in Chicago’s Jackson Park to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the New World. Many of the photographs were taken while the Columbian Expo was open to the public, reflecting a more realistic perspective than many of the staged shots found in other souvenirs.

Accompanying captions offer fascinating contemporary details, often in a colorful stereotypical fashion that was unfortunately common for the era. An example describing a ‘Tartar Beau and Polynesian Belle’ begins – “The gentleman represented above is certainly entitled to the appellation of “Beau.” In the first place he is a handsome fellow, at least as handsome as people with such scowling physiognomies can well be. His name is Ahmed and he was the hero of the ‘young Lochinvar’ incident on the Midway, which very nearly brought his neck and that of his would-be-bride under the vengeful scimitar…”