The World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago was organized for the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the New World.
Open from May to December of 1893, the event attracted twenty-seven million visitors who took advantage of Chicago’s role as the hub of a vast railroad network.
The social and cultural impact of this “Chicago World’s Fair” was enormous. – cementing the Gilded Age belief in American exceptionalism.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Columbian_Exposition
It was also an opportunity for Chicago to display the magnificent rebuilding of the city after the devastating fire of 1871.
The new Art Institute of Chicago was one of the grand buildings completed in time for the crush of visitors.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Institute_of_Chicago
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Thousands of new inventions and improvements in technology and industry were showcased at the Exhibition – earlier postcard stories noted demonstrations of shredded wheat, “Cracker Jack”, chewing gum, farm equipment, telephones, new railroad engines, color printing, household goods, and home furnishings.
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/inventions-from-the-world-s-columbian-exposition.htm
The world’s first Ferris Wheel was introduced at the Columbian Exhibition – the very tall structure became a symbol of the event as the Eiffel Tower had become for Paris in the World’s Fair of 1889.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferris_Wheel_(1893)
The focus of the fairgrounds was the “White City”, a spectacular demonstration of architecture and building construction in the monumental “Beaux Arts” style that was brilliantly illuminated by electric lights.
The awesome display of nearly 200 great buildings covered in oil and white lead whitewash (many boasting sculptural groups and examples of American art) in a spacious and functional design influenced city planning for subsequent decades of urban growth.
The White City also prompted the reference to “Thine alabaster cities gleam” in the patriotic hymn, “America the Beautiful”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America_the_Beautiful
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Like other places where crowds gathered, The Columbian Exposition offered many opportunities for having photographs made as souvenirs.
Sometime during the event, two men were photographed within a studio – although they are pictured in an automobile.
There were only two automobiles featured at the Exposition as most early autos were made by European manufacturers.
One gentleman appears older than the other, although his stiff posture and bowler hat may contribute to the appearance of age.
His companion wears a straw hat and has adopted a more casual pose.
I could not identify a studio mark, although the face is very faded and the drawing of the White City on the reverse might be an elaborate studio logo.
It is unfortunate that no one noted the names of the visitors, not memorialized the date on which the souvenir was created.
