ONE OF THE RAREST ITEMS IN THIS SALE--A COLUMBIAN COMMISSIONER'S TICKET FOR THE INTRAMURAL RR

One of the myriad wonders of the 1893 world's fair was the elevated electric train that wound its way through the fairgrounds for several miles. There were stops from the Midway to the Main Buildings to sites along the lagoons.

This is from a ticketbook given to commissioners for their use throughout the Columbian Expo. Several years ago I was fortunate to find several multi-ticket strips from the #919 ticket book. We set this mint example aside and decided not to sell it at that time.

That it was number 919 quite likely was because these ticket books were given to all of the group of what I would call "national commissioners." They were people hand-picked to play an important role in all the activities of the fair.

But there also were multiple commissioners from every participating state and territory, as well as every foreign country that participated. That participation varied dramatically. It included Germany for example. The country had one of the largest "villages" on the Midway as well as perhaps a couple dozen smaller exhibits throughout the various major buildings of the fair. Samoa, as an exmaple, was one of several countries participating as the South Sea Islanders, part of the OTC--Oceanic Trading Company. There is an OTCo ticket in this sale.

The collection of Commissioners tickets I purchased consisted ob about 12 to 15 total tickets. As I recall, I sold them all (minus the one offered here) for around $3,500.

The ticket as the pphoto shows is in mint condition & has been stored well protected since I purchased the entire group.