WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPO SIMPLE TICKET FOR THE INAUGURAL RECEPTION

I would assume that this ticket for the reception held the same day as the inauguration or dedication of the fair at the World's Columbian Expo.

My guess is that this was included in a packet of materials given to special guests to attend more than one initial event before the gates were officially thrown open at the WCE.

I think by its nature, this is a ticket one rarely finds. The best chance would be in the complete package that included the 8 1/2 x 11 fancy invitation and other paperwork; logic would have this plain little ticket one of the paper items in that oversized envelope. I might guess that it could also be hand-delivered or mailed to the guest to allow him/her to gain entrance to the reception. This was a way to limit the number at the reception as many would have received the invitation to the dedication in the packet--but NOT have this special ticket in their envelope. There were tens of thousands more people at the dedication than the Auditorim could have accommodated. this proces no doubt caused some confusion as well as indignation at not being invited to the reception.

For being so plain this ticket clearly states that it is for a Columbian Expo event. In many cases of similar events in that era, one would find a business-card card that said no more than the name of the receiption, location and time--without even mentioning the name of the world's fair since everyone receiving the card/ticket would know exactly what it was for. And some larger RSVP cards might just have had a blank with the name of the recipient/guest hand-written on that line. There were many associated invitations, passes and tickets addresed to "Mr. Jon Doe & lady." Others said "Mr. John Doe & Guest" oe aiply vw awnr ro "Me. and Mrs. John Doe."

In 1893 I don't think you would see card or invitation reading "Mrs. Bertha Palmer & husband" however.

Despite the level of subordination of women at the time (and many years after!), the WCE was well ahead of other expositons ssnf events of the era. It was the first example of a Board of Women existing and doing so with plenty of involvement in much of the Expo. The Board of Lady Managers, headed by Bertha Palmer, saw that women received equal billing; the Board had many important functions and was anything but a token gesture with no responsibility..

Bertha Palmer was well established in Chicago society before the fair and moreso during the Exposition. She and the board were instrumental in promoting equality for women beyond traditional roles.

The fact that there was a Woman's Building AND that it was designed by a female architect was also a major "firt" for professional women who only then were beginning to push through barriers to receive college degrees in totally male-dominated fields.

I'm afraid that I cannot decipher the name on this card. It's actually seldom seen compared to the actual invitation since this was probably handed to someone at the door when the guest entered.

This simple ticket is likely abvsent from the majority of thoe who have the invitation in their collection. This may be the only opportunity to obtain one.