Victorian-Era Exposition
Toronto, 1897
Canada's great Victorian-Era Exposition was held in Toronto, from August 30th to September 11th, 1897. The fair, today known as the Canadian National Exposition (CNE) started in 1879 under the name of the Dominion Industrial Fair. At its outset, the fair grew from a 16 day event with attendance of 102,000 people to a 12 day event in 1897 that attracted 320,000 people. During the course of its history, it had a variety of themes, such as in 1895, “The New Woman”, and in 1897 “Victorian-Era Exposition”. From 1888 to 1902 it was known as “Canada's Great Industrial Fair & Exposition”, with the exception of the theme years mentioned.
Note that the design used for the Epworth League Convention in July 1897 was re-used for this card, with some minor changes and a change in colouration.
Below, the front of the card
with a 1¢ Jubilee stamp, mailed from Toronto to Hamilton, September 2, 1897 during the exposition,
with a Toronto D Flag cancel, and two Hamilton receivers Sept 2nd & 3rd.
Above, Victorian-Era Exposition in blue, green & red ink, back, postally unused
Below, front of card
Above, a copy mailed from Montreal to Salsberg, Bavaria, Germany, on July 16, 1898 (a year after issuance)
with 2¢ postage, short paid, and receiving postage due markings.
Below, the front of the card.
As a collateral piece of material, the following US postcard is of interest.
Designed & sold by A. Sutherland of Buffalo, New York, this postcard illustrates the issue of originality in design. The card, showing vignettes of Philadelphia for the 33rd National Encampment of the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) in 1899 in Philadelphia, was mailed from Philadelphia on September 6, 1899 to Bern, Switzerland, and bears a 5¢ dark blue Grant stamp, Scott 281, with Bern receiving marks dated September 16.
While an interesting card in its own right, the design of the private mailing card is quite similar to the design of the Epworth League and the Victoria Era Exposition cards, but with Philadelphia vignettes substituted for the original elements of the design. Sutherland, the designer, located in Buffalo, a short distance from Toronto, no doubt used the initial Canadian design to inspire his GAR card.
