Thursday, January 1, 2009

New Orleans 1885: Color Illustrations of the Exposition.....

Prior to its opening, the 1885 World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition was extensively advertised throughout the United States. Many promotional newspaper articles contained illustrations of how the exposition grounds and buildings would appear after completion. However, many of these illustrations were misleading; showing verdant grounds and ornately designed buildings. In actuality, the majority of the exposition grounds were sparsely landscaped, and many of the buildings less architecturally ornate than the pre-opening illustrations portrayed them. In the summer of 1885, when the North, Central and South American Exposition exposition was being promoted, many of the original illustrations were again used, despite their inaccuracies. Below are several of the color images used to promote both expositions; which also appeared in many New Orleans souvenir books:









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