Background

I have been buying and selling Columbia Exposition tickets for more than three decades. My special area of interest has been the Souvenir Portrait Tickets, although my interest certainly extends into the other tickets as well. What first intrigued me was the similarity of the portrait tickets in appearance to Fractional Currency, being about the same size and bearing similar beautifully detailed engraving. But when I began studying the fascinating history of the Exposition, my interest expanded and I began to specialize in them. 
  Recently, one of my buyers pointed out that no grading guide exists for these popular items. I’ve decided to try to fill that void. Keep in mind as you use it that when you are bidding on eBay you are trying to grade from a photograph or a scan, which is considerably more challenging than having the actual item itself to examine. Lighting and other conditions vary when an item is photographed or scanned. A few unscrupulous sellers may enhance their scans to make their items appear more attractive than they are, so if you have any questions it is important to ask the seller before you bid. This guide is meant to offer you some basics for getting the most for your money when buying Columbian Exposition tickets on eBay (or anywhere else). If knowledgeable eBayers have constructive suggestions to add, I would be glad to edit them into this guide. In this guide I use the term “note” interchangeably with “ticket” simply because it’s a term I’m used to using and comfortable with and because, with their similarity to Fractional notes, it’s hard not to.

A Brief History

In recent years sales of 1893 Columbian Exposition World’s Fair tickets have been hot, and steady. This is at least in part to the success of the # 1 New York Times Bestseller, “The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America,” by Erik Larson.  Known as “The White City,” because the buildings were white, the Columbian Exposition was the first all electric city in the world. It was a complete city, with a hospital, police department, fire department, shops, and restaurants. Visitors for the first time heard live music transmitted from New York, and viewed movies from Thomas Edison’s Kinetoscope. They saw the first zipper, the first fully electric kitchen, and the first automatic dishwasher. Because of it, alternating current was adopted as the standard form of electricity. Other firsts were Juicy Fruit Gum, Cracker Jacks, Shredded Wheat, and Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. It also became infamous because of a serial killer named Henry H. Holmes, who built his “World’s Fair Hotel” near the fairgrounds. The building was secretly built as a torture and murder palace, including a crematorium, for the countless young women he stalked.

Types of Columbian Exposition Tickets

There was a wide variety of Columbian Exposition tickets printed (literally hundreds) including entry passes, transportation tickets, amusement and exhibit tickets, theater tickets, food tickets, token tickets, press passes, photographic passes, etc. Some were generic and similar to the type of tickets that are still sold in perforated rolls. Others, such as the Manhattan Day and Chicago Day tickets had design and character all their own. However, this guide deals only with the Souvenir Portrait Entry Pass tickets. There were originally four in this series, the Indian Chief, Columbus, Washington, and Lincoln. Each in this series is an allegory representing major periods in our nation’s history up to that time. The Indian represented the time on the North American continent before the white man, Columbus the discovery of America by the Europeans, Washington the Independence of the U.S. government from England, and Lincoln represented the freeing of the slaves and the preservation of the Federal Union. These were issued on April 1st, 1893, a full month before the Fair opened its gates. Later, the “A” series of these four notes and the Franklin ticket was printed. The Franklin exists in “A” only, and has the word “Complimentary” printed on the obverse. It was mailed to selected business to be given to prized customers as perks, and to stimulate attendance. This is one of the rarest and most sought after. The Franklin ticket symbolized his discovery of electricity, which was the featured breathtaking display of the Exposition. Finally, there is the Handel ticket, also a latecomer. George F. Handel had composed a symphony for the King of England titled, “Water Music.” The ticket has the word “Music” on it and represents both the music and the beautiful water themes the Fair featured. It was printed without “A” only and is considered the key to the series. The scarce Franklin is the semi-key.

Grading 1893 Columbian Exposition Tickets

The Souvenir Portrait series was printed by the famous American Bank Note Company, New York. The company used high quality stock and the most intricately detailed engraving in order to deter counterfeiting. The first important thing to remember when grading is that the term “uncirculated” isn’t relevant. Unlike coins or currency the purpose of these items was not to circulate from one person or institution to another. They had value only as a one time admission to the Fair, after which they were merely prized souvenirs that often wound up in albums, dresser drawers, or jewelry boxes. Therefore, grading is not typically a result of wear but of three other factors: 1.) Improper handling, 2.) Improper storage, 3.) Environmental factors. Each of these factors affects the grade and the value of the note. There could also be a combination of two, or all three of these factors. But, let’s take them one at a time.

1. Improper handling. The habit of folding currency was sometimes applied to these items as well.  While their compact size (a little over 2”X 4”) could easily fit into a man’s pocket, they may have needed help with some petit lady’s purses. Also, carried in a pocket, edges can be frayed, corners bent or rounded, and even tears occur.

2. Improper storage. As a buyer and collector of Columbian exposition Souvenir Portrait tickets the most important thing to be aware of is this: around the turn of the 20th century scrapbooks were all the rage, and the 1893 Columbian Exposition was the biggest and most spectacular Fair in history. Thousands of these notes, perhaps hundreds of thousands, were put into scrapbooks. Since mounting hinges and acetate overlays were yet to be invented, they were glued into albums. Many years later (around 1930) adhesive tape was invented and many tickets show traces of old, yellowed tape. Some Fair goers used a modest amount of glue dabbed onto the reverse corners (or other areas) for mounting. Sometimes this appears to be minor stains, or discoloring that doesn’t detract from the eye appeal of the note. But others slathered it on, which can seriously detract from both the eye appeal and the value. Also, while not as common as with obsolete currency, pinholes are sometimes seen. In the days before paperclips or similar fasteners, groups of notes were often held together with a pin stuck through them. Why this would occur with Souvenir tickets, I have no idea.

3. Environmental factors. Tickets may have been exposed to rain at the Fair or dropped on the ground or in a puddle, possibly causing curling, wrinkling, or staining. Later, they may have been kept for years in a home where smoking was routine which could cause them to darken, turning varying shades of yellow, beige, or brown. Exposure to harsh light, especially sunlight may have caused them to fade over time so that the colors wash out to varying degrees.

One important factor to bear in mind is that multi-colored specks on these notes are a part of the original printing process and are not a detraction from their quality or value. Another is that even borders are not a grading factor either. I've yet to see one of these items with even borders, and if you have one, it's just by chance.

For the sake of simplicity, I’ve used terms for this grading system that are similar to those used for coins and currency. However, since wear does not come into the equation in grading these items, the system is weighted heavily on the factors above. The highest grade is Crisp Unissued (CU). Whether or not the note was actually issued is, of course, impossible to tell. However, the grade means that it has the appearance of an unissued note. Remember, there are no book values for these notes. Each is worth exactly as much as someone is willing to pay for it.  I believe that by using this guide as a tool in evaluating Souvenir Portrait Tickets before you bid, you will get the most value for your dollar. I will assign these grades to tickets that I offer for auction, and I hope other sellers will as well.

CRISP UNISSUED (CU)
A note that is in virtually the same condition as when it was printed. The stock is clean, crisp, and firm. Some mild, natural toning is allowed. The corners must be square and sharp. The colors are bright and the engraving and printing are sharp. There are no folds, creases, tears, stains, or pinholes. (A fold is the result of a deliberate act to make the note easy to carry in a small space, like a pocket or purse. It is usually seen vertically in the center on both sides of the note. Sometimes, but rarely on such a small note, there is more than one fold. A crease is inadvertant, not deliberate. It is often seen diaganolly in corners. For the purposes of grading, a crease is visible on both sides of the note). There is no visible glue or tape residue. It is important to note that multi-colored ink speckling on these notes are a normal result of the printing process and not a factor in grading.

ABOUT UNISSUED (AU)
A note that appears CU at first. Closer examination may reveal darker toning of the stock, corners may not be quite as squared and sharp but no serious scuffing; may have a single pinhole, a minor finger smudge, a light crease, a very small stain, or extremely light adhesive residue on the reverse edges.

EXTREMELY FINE (XF)
The paper is crisp, firm, and mostly clean with no folds, or tears. Light handling is more obvious, with minor fingerprints or smudges; corner scuffing is more obvious; more than one pinhole is present; or there may be more obvious adhesive residue. There can be some overall light paper toning. One or more of these problems may be evident, but the note still has attractive eye appeal. A note with all of these problems present should be downgraded to a VF.

VERY FINE (VF)
All of the problems of XF may be present. Paper still retains crispness and engraving lines are well defined. Stains and/or smudges are more obvious.  May have a fold. There may be some light but obvious fading of color, and paper toning is more pronounced. Adhesive residue is very obvious, but not enough to distract from the overall eye appeal of the note.

FINE (F)
Some or all the problems of XF and VF may exist.  Crispness still remains. A light tear or two along the borders is acceptable. Edges may be scuffed. More pronounced overall discoloration and fading of primary colors may be obvious. Adhesive damage is apparent. Creases in one or more of the corners are common. Eye appeal still exists, but is weaker.

VERY GOOD (VG)
All of the problems previously described may exist. There may be some light rippling from moisture damage. Adhesive residues are very obvious and unsightly. Note may be dirty, and tears obvious, but no pieces are missing.

GOOD (G)
Generally speaking a poorly stored, handled and/or environmentally damaged note with characteristics similar to a VG, except much more obvious soiling, tearing. Adhesive damage is heavy. Corners may be missing altogether, and color fading is very obvious. For whatever reason, my observation has been that the letter “A” on the A tickets tend to fade more quickly than the other printing. Maybe this was because it was added later and the ink quality was less than the original.  More pronounced rippling may exist

As with coins and currency, condition is only part of an equation that must be factored in with rarity and availability (sometimes items that are not extremely rare are not readily available). It all comes down to what your collecting goals are, and what you want to spend. I hope that all sellers of these notes will adopt the standards of this guide and use them to honestly disclose the quality of the Souvenir Portrait Tickets they are offering for sale.

Copyright protected. All rights reserved. 2006