World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago, Ill.). Stereographs, 1893

This collection consists of five stereograph cards (or "stereoviews") from the World's Fair Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1893.

The World's Columbian Exposition (often called the Chicago World's Fair) was held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1893, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the "New World." The Fair was known for its cultural and architectural influence and helped establish Chicago as a major social, arts, and industrial hub. Stereographs were first made in the 1850s and popular from 1870-1920. Stereoviews consist of two nearly identical photographs paired on thick card mounts, glass negatives, or daguerreotypes. When viewed through a stereoscope, the two images combine to create a three-dimensional single image.

This collection contains five stereoview cards depicting scenes from the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Views include the Horticultural Hall, Illinois State Building, California State building, Puck (a character from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream) at the Columbian Exposition, and the Wool Exhibit at the Agricultural Building. Cards were photographed and published by B.W. Kilburn of Littleton, New Hampshire, in 1893.

The Library purchased this collection in 2021 with the support of the Bruce C. Creamer Fund.