from the 1893 World`s Columbian Exposition

Stamp
Holders
from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition
by Paul Schmid
T
he World’s Colombian Exposition (WCE) held
in Chicago in 1893 is most notably remembered
by stamp collectors for the set of commemorative
stamps issued to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival in the New World. The stamps were, however,
just fifteen of the literally thousands of different souvenirs
sold to the more than 27 million fair visitors. Among the
more obvious philatelic related fair souvenirs were small
stamp holders. Meant to adorn a desk, to be carried in a
pocket, or perhaps worn on a watch or neck chain, these tiny
treasures are often difficult to find. More than four decades
This 2¼x1¼-inch sterling
“envelope” is a scarce souvenir
of the fair’s Dedication Day,
October 21, 1892.
924 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / October 2014
of collecting have resulted in the pieces described for this
article.
A wonderful starting point for a collection of WCE
stamp holders is the first piece illustrated. This unmarked
2¼x1¼-inch sterling “envelope” is a scarce souvenir of the
fair’s Dedication Day held October 21, 1892. Primarily due
to construction delays, it would be more than six months
before the fair would open to the public on May 1, 1893.
The handsomely engraved address on this piece reads “W.F.
Souvenir, Chicago, Ill.” — the “W.F.” standing for “World’s
Fair.” The holder also features a replica of a Chicago circular
date stamp for October 21st. Whether this piece was given
to those invited guests in attendance
or sold at the site on that day is not
known. A curious Cinderella-type
“stamp” in the upper-right corner
features an image of Uncle Sam and
the words “WILL NOT PERMIT.” The
meaning of this phrase is unclear to
me, but perhaps someone reading this
will know to what it refers.
By far, the most common stamp
holder sold at the fair was a combination stamp and match safe made
of plated brass, with two different
metal appliqués. All have a flip-open
top, match striker on the bottom, and
bear the words “Columbian Postage
Stamps.” Under the flap a tiny incised
text reads “Patent April 22, 90.” The
two different appliqués, a circular one
depicting a bust of Columbus similar
From left: Portrait based on the
central vignette from the $5
stamp (Scott 235).
The most common stamp holder
sold at the fair was a combination
stamp and match safe made of
plated brass, with two different
metal appliqués.
A similar holder, but without
either of the decorative
appliqués, also exists.
to the central image of the
$5 stamp (Scott 245) — although facing the other way
— and a scalloped oval with
decorative elements and the
wording “Chicago Worlds-Fair 1893” can be found on either the front or back. A
similarly constructed holder, but without either of the decorative appliqués, also
exists. This surprisingly uncommon holder includes the same wording and patent
information as its near twin. There also exists another, far scarcer variety of the
combination stamp and match safe, but that is a story best left for the end of this
article.
There are several holders that include images depicted on the stamps. One of
the most stunning for this fair borrows its design from John Vanderlyn’s painting,
The Landing of Columbus, used on the two-cent stamp (Scott 231). The sterling
box, which opens from the top, is beautifully detailed and a favorite among collectors. There is also a holder with a similar design, but made of a base metal and
opening from the side. Another
sterling holder that depicts the
Vanderlyn painting scene has an
overall design that was clearly inspired by the two-cent stamp, as
it incorporates value tablets and a
vignette of a shape similar to the
stamp. While not as elegant or
finely crafted as the Vanderlyndesign holder, it is a scarce, sel-
Scott 231. Beautifully detailed sterling box with a design from Vanderlyn’s The Landing
of Columbus, used on the 2-cent stamp. Holder with a similar design, but made of a base
metal and opening from the side. Another sterling holder has an overall design that
was clearly inspired by the 2-cent stamp. Scarce silver-plated brass holder featuring a
Landing image without any surrounding decoration.
October 2014 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 925
dom-seen piece. Equally scarce is a silver-plated brass
holder featuring a fairly large Landing image without
any surrounding decoration. It, too, is executed in a
cruder style.
Another maker also drew on the image of the twocent stamp to create a handsome and desirable souvenir.
The sterling holder is designed to look like an envelope
with the addition of a tiny two-cent “stamp” applied in
the upper right corner. The silver “stamp” measures only
about ½x¼ inch but nine of the ten figures in the Landing scene can be clearly seen with a magnifier. (There
were actually eleven central figures in the Vanderlyn
painting, but one was left out in the stamp engraving.)
Sterling holder designed to look like an envelope with the addition of a
A small circular medallion in the center features a bust
tiny 2-cent “stamp” applied in the upper right corner.
of Columbus, not unlike that used for the commemorative half-dollar coin.
Yet another holder also features an image of the
two-cent stamp but, unlike the previously described
piece, the stamp’s details are carved into the metal and
then filled with a violet enamel — a process commonly
referred to as cloisonné. Similarly enameled “postmarks” appear on both the front and reverse side. This
rare piece is the only Columbian stamp holder known
to me that incorporates the cloisonné technique.
Also highly prized for its beauty and craftsmanship
is a sterling holder that takes its design from the fourcent stamp, featuring the Fleet of Columbus (Scott 233).
The holder’s scalloped edges are a unique design feature
for stamp holders offered at this fair. Top-opening and
side-opening varieties exist. A single ship from CoHolder has an image of the 2-cent stamp with the stamp’s details carved
lumbus’ fleet is depicted on a tiny (1¼x1-inch) sterling
into the metal and then filled with a violet enamel.
holder, made to be carried in a pocket or perhaps worn
on a watch or neck chain. It bears the dates “1492–1892”
and, curiously, the letters “NY” also appear in the design. Perhaps it was
a souvenir available at the New York State Building, although this is
only conjecture.
The only other piece known to me that employs a design from the
stamp series is the small desk box made of copper-plated base metal. It
depicts, albeit quite crudely, Columbus Announcing His Discovery, the
same image that appears on the fifteen-cent stamp (Scott 238).
There are several holders known that use an actual Columbian
stamp as part of their design and two examples are shown. These beautifully made sterling holders have a delicately curved interior to allow
for easy removal of any stamps held within. The stamp on the lid
is covered with clear celluloid surrounded by an ornate, raised silver frame. Examples featuring one-cent, two-cent, and three-cent
Sterling holder
that takes its
stamps are known, but perhaps other values exist. Another holder
design from
stands in stark contrast to those just described. The crudely fashthe 4-cent
ioned brass-plated box incorporates a used two-cent Columbian
stamp, featuring
the Fleet of
stamp adhered to the top as its central design. I have seen several
Columbus. Scott
of these boxes over the years, always with a used two-cent stamp.
233.
Portraits of Columbus also were used as design elements for
some pieces. One holder features an unusual, highly-raised ap926 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / October 2014
Small desk box made
of copper-plated base
metal depicts Columbus
Announcing His
Discovery from the 15cent stamp. Scott 238.
A single ship from Columbus’ fleet is depicted on
a tiny sterling holder that bears the dates “1492–
1892” and the letters “NY.”
Holder features a stamp
on the lid covered with
clear celluloid surrounded
by a raised silver frame.
plied bust of Columbus based on a sixteenth-century engraving of the
explorer by Jean de Bry. It opens from the top and the word “Stamps”
Crudely fashioned brass-plated box incorporates a used
is beautifully engraved on the reverse side. A handsome holder with
2-cent Columbian stamp adhered to the top.
a delicate decorative border uses a different portrait of Columbus, the
source for which is unknown. More dramatic is a holder that uses a
genuine Columbian half-dollar commemorative coin attached to the top with a finely
made bezel. When the holder is opened the coin’s reverse is visible through a circular
opening cut into the top.
The desk box depicting the exposition’s Machinery Hall is made of wood, in a style
commonly referred to by collectors as mauchline ware. The town of Mauchline in
southwest Scotland gives its name to a family of wooden souvenirs made over a period
of some 100 years, ending only when the factory of the last producer still operating
burned to the ground in 1933. Pieces commonly have a detailed black transfer design
applied as a decal. A great variety of mauchline ware was produced for the WCE and,
as cross-over collectibles, they are quite popular with both fair and mauchline ware
enthusiasts. Stamp holders are differentiated from many other small mauchline ware
containers by the fact that the interiors are slanted, allowing for easy removal of the
stamps. A box similar in shape but depicting the fair’s Administration Building is the
only other view known to me, but there very well may be others.
There is a group of holders, very crudely made, but deserving of mention. They
Holder with a raised bust of Columbus
based on a sixteenth-century
engraving of the explorer by Jean de
Bry.
October 2014 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 927
Holder with a delicate border uses a
portrait of Columbus, the source for
which is unknown.
were produced in a style collectors refer to as “asphaltum.” In this process,
metals (most commonly tin-plated
iron) were coated with a dark tar-like
substance called asphaltum, which
was then heat-dried before it was decoratively cut away to reveal the bright
metal surface below. An example of
this form is shown. While several different shapes and designs are known
to me, they are surprisingly uncommon.
The small, plated base metal desk
Genuine Columbian half-dollar commemorative
box shown presents a bit of a mystery.
coin attached to the top of a stamp holder.
(Courtesy The Folded Letter.)
Its image is identified as “Woman’s
Ruilding” (sic). The style of the architecture, and the size and grandeur of
the building is definitely on a par with other WCE buildings, yet the actual Woman’s Building at the fair in no way
resembles the image on the box. In fact, it does not, as far
as I can determine, resemble any Woman’s Building at any
known fair. Dr. Steve Sheppard, who has accumulated one
of the largest collections of WCE memorabilia, provided
some additional insight regarding this box. Apparently, it
was common for souvenirs produced overseas (a good indication that this is the case here is the misspelling of the
word “Building“) to have been made well in advance of
the fair’s opening. The buildings’ designs often were not
precisely known, and Dr. Sheppard has items in his collection with images that do not match the erected buildings.
The building’s arched design, the flags and the statuary
depicted on this box, however, are all in keeping with the
fair’s overall architecture, thus it was most likely produced
for this event.
A scarce stamp holder from this fair was issued by the
Chicago office of the Simmons Hardware Company of
St. Louis to promote their Keen Kutter line of tools and
cutlery. Made from aluminum, it has a Keen Kutter logo
on one side and a raised decorative text on the other that
Top: Desk box depicting the exposition’s Machinery
Hall is made of wooden machine ware. Bottom: Desk
box depicting the fair’s Administration Building.
“Asphaltum” stamp holder with
the heat-dried coating cut away
to reveal the metal beneath.
928 AMERICAN PHILATELIST / October 2014
Unsold Columbian
stamp holder retooled
for use at the California
Midwinter International
Exposition.
Small, plated base metal desk box shown labeled “Woman’s
Ruilding” (sic) was probably produced overseas in advance of
the fair.
reads, “Simmons Hardware Co.’s World’s Fair Souvenir from
the Chicago Office 1893.” Regrettably, the example shown is
a poor illustration of this holder taken from an old auction
catalogue. It is, to my best knowledge, the only advertising
stamp holder issued in conjunction with the WCE.
And now to the holder briefly alluded to at the start of
this article. As the World’s Columbian Exposition readied to
close on October 31, 1893 some exhibitors prepared to head
west to California instead of going home. Flush with the successes of the Chicago event, they would now take part in the
California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894 at
San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. One enterprising vendor
apparently decided not to let his unsold Columbian stamp
holders go to waste. At first glance, the holder appears to be
the common type described earlier and shown as the second
illustration in this article. However, turn it over and you see
one very important difference: on the reverse, instead of the
usual WCE appliqué, there is a circular medallion for the
Midwinter event. It is a scarce holder and a fitting end to the
story of these small philatelic souvenirs that we stamp collectors so treasure today.
T
he Author
A member of APS for 51 years, Paul Schmid, now retired, was a full-time professional philatelist for more than
45 years. Early in his career he assembled collections of Eastern Pony Express mail, U.S. 1869 issues, and exposition postcards. Currently he is building a collection around the 1933
Centenary stamps of the Falkland Islands. Stamp holders
from the Columbian Exposition are just a small part of his
larger collection of these philatelic curiosities.
The only known advertising stamp
holder issued in conjunction with
the fair promotes the Keen Kutter
line of tools and cutlery.
October 2014 / AMERICAN PHILATELIST 929