1893 Columbian Expo Tickets - Slightly OT - Lots of photos

tmot99

Most of you have seen my elongated coin set from the 1893 World's Columbian Expo. The "currency" side of the collection is the attraction and vendor tickets. Here are a few of my tickets. The most recent acquisition is the "Ferris Wheel" ticket. This is considered the King of the tickets, although not the rarest ticket.



Clow Sanitary - the first Pay toilets










Vertical Transit Ticket - The elevator in the Transportation Building - one of 9 tickets known


























I have a few more to scan in yet, but not too many.

DUIGUY

Not OT for me ! Very nice !!

USAROK

Really ! Is there a organization that promotes collecting this type of memorabilia and where do you find these items? You have a very interesting and historic collection and one I expect you are rightfully very proud of having built. Thanks for sharing!

solid

Those are very, very cool! Seeing all the different attractions, etc. kind of places you there.

Thanks for sharing!

Ken

291fifth

The prices actually seem quite high for 1893. I would have expected to see more 5 cent charges.

tmot99

<< <i>Really ! Is there a organization that promotes collecting this type of memorabilia and where do you find these items? You have a very interesting and historic collection and one I expect you are rightfully very proud of having built. Thanks for sharing! >>



I have actually bought most of my tickets off of ebay. There is an organization for Word's Fair memorabilia collectors, but the local show that I've gone too has very little in the way of tickets for 1893. However, once I've dealt with people on ebay, when they get new tickets for sale, I usually am in contact with them. I am sure there are many tickets in drawers at people's house, not necessarily as a collection, but because Great Great Aunt Anne was at the fair and kept a scrap book of souveniers.



<< <i>The prices actually seem quite high for 1893. I would have expected to see more 5 cent charges. >>



Actually, there are a lot of 50 cent tickets too. There are some tickets for the Java Village that are $1, $2, $3, $4, and $5!

This is a fun part of my collection. I think of the elongateds and tickets and the coin and currency of the fair so that's how they fit into my coin collection.

zeus135

Thanks for sharing, they are very interesting. What are some of the rarest tickets? And what makes them rare? Is it because there weren't many people who visited those attractions?

tmot99

<< <i>Thanks for sharing, they are very interesting. What are some of the rarest tickets? And what makes them rare? Is it because there weren't many people who visited those attractions? >>



The Vertical Transit ticket is probably the rarest that I own. As I said, 9 are known. THese particular tickets were heavily cancelled as you can see by the condition of mine. I would think that is part of the reason why they weren't kept. Also, why pay the money for an elevator ride when you could use the steps. The Ferris Wheel is certainly the most sought after. It could be considered the rarest even though more tickets exist (21 known). However, the collectors that have them hold on to them very tight. A collector decided to sell off his collection and that's how I just got mine. There are about 8 of us that are VERY actively collecting them and bidding gets out of hand, but there are some major rarities in this collection up for sale. He even has a 5 cent soda token which is the only one known. In all, I am pretty ignorant when it comes to the tickets. There is a book on them, but it is so incomplete, it is virtually useless.

The Pier Movable Sidewalk is also fairly rare. I am guessing that's because it openned late and kept breaking down. People could get off the steamboats and just walk the pier.

CaptHenway

What was the "Ice Railway?"

tmot99

Believe it or not, they actually had an ice track in Chicago during the summer. The Ice Railway was a ride on the Midway that was basically a sled. I assume it was horse drawn. As I had told you during my visit last week, I really need to take some time at the museum and do some research on this stuff.

Here is some info. Ice Railway : A sleighing or coasting track, 875 feet long, covered with artificial ice and snow.

tmot99

Just added a few last scans.

DUIGUY

So called dollars from 1893 Columbian Expo .







Obverse by St. Gaudens



Reverse by Barber



Seller's Pics

kiyote

If I'm not mistaken, did the Ferris Wheel make it's debut at the Columbian Expo?
Also, along the same lines, have you read "Devil in the White City?" About the Columbian Expo and the notorious Henry H. Holmes? You should see if you can dig up any memorabllia related to his "Castle" where he gassed to death many a fair-goer.

Smitty79

Those are really cool.

tmot99

<< <i>If I'm not mistaken, did the Ferris Wheel make it's debut at the Columbian Expo?
Also, along the same lines, have you read "Devil in the White City?" About the Columbian Expo and the notorious Henry H. Holmes? You should see if you can dig up any memorabllia related to his "Castle" where he gassed to death many a fair-goer. >>



Yes, the Ferris Wheel did start at the WCE. The person I bought the ticket from is actually emailing quite a bit of history about the Ferris Wheel. I already have pictures of the operators and the paperwork authorizing it in the fair.

I haven't read that book yet. I have heard about it though.

DUIguy: Are those original holders too? Very cool! I had a shot at one on ebay but wasn't willing to pay the price. I haven't really educated myself on SCD from the fair, but know there were plenty of them.

Numismanic

Looks like the rides and attractions weren't cheap at the time, some things just don't change.

coinmickey

Wow..that's great stuff...

Good Book recommendation- "Devil in the White City"- concerns the Columbian Exposition as the backdrop for many serial murders. However, the book provides much historical information about the Fair and the people who brought it to fruition- including Augustus St. Gaudens.

DUIGUY

Yes original holder . Here is a small medal also from Chicago Columbian Expo .

Sellers pics