Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-11
SHOWN BY PICTURES
Growth of American Indus
trial Expositions.
NEW YORK TO ST. LOUIS
ADVANCE MADE SINCE THE CRYs-
tai PALACE.
An Interesting Collection of Prints on
Exhibition in the Library
Of Congress.


ing the American expostlons which have
been organized since 1853. These, includ-
ing the Louisiana purchase exposition,
which opened last Saturday, are eight in
number-the exposition of the industry OF
all nations held in the Crystal Palace, New
York in 1858; the centennial exposition
held in Philadelphia in 1876, the Columbian
exposition at Chicago in 1893. the midwin-
ter exposition in California in 1894, the cot
ton states and international in Atlanta IN
1895, the Trans Mississippi and information
al in Omaha in 1898 and the Pan-American
in Buffalo in 1901.
At the time that these expeditions have
been held the Library Of Congress has.
through its copyright division, come into
the possession of quite a quantity of prints
setting forth the general appearance or
each. and it is these. assorted and arranged
by the print division which constitute the
present exhibition. There are photographs. I
etchings, Autographs and engravings, some
OF which have in themselves real artistic
value, though they all were undoubtedly
originally executed with the purpose OF
pleas sing or appealing to the general public
They have been arranged with great care,
first chronologically and then subjectively,
and aside from a passing interest furnish
valuable data for thoughtful consideration.
The Famous Crystal Palace.
In the first case to the left, entering
through the southwest pavilion, are two
curious old Autographs illustrating the
exterior and interior of the famous Crys-
tai Palace, wherein was held the first
great American exposition. This was
built with the permission of the munich.
pality on Reservoir Square In the city Of
New York by a number of prominent
business men. among whom were August
Belmont. George L. Schuyler. Theodore
Sedgwick and Alexander Hamilton, jr.
1t was designed by George J. B. Garsten-
sen and Charles Gildermeister and was
constructed entirely of glass and iron.
Octagon in shape it was surmounted by
huge dome 14S feet in height and it's roof
covered an area equal to four acres. A
monstrosity of ugliness 1t appears
through its reproductions today, but in
the early fifties to both old and young 1t
seemed as enchanting its name The
first Autograph in the exhibition gives
the beholder very fair idea of its ex-
terror appearance and also OF the New
York of that day. A street car of a primf-
tive type is fastening in one direction,
Broadway stage has come up with load
OF passengers from another, carriages of
old design are moving hither and thither;
to the right parade of militia is in
progress and in the foreground is a mot
ley gathering of men, women and chill
dren, with a sprinkling of foreigners,
outlandishly clothed, to give the whole
an international appearance. The dress
of the Americans is very interesting and
curious, the ladies wearing very proper
shawls and bonnets, the boys and men
high hats and long tailed coats.
This quantity Interesting picture was lith-
ographed by Nagel and Weingartner of
New York In 1852 before the exposition was
opened and has been Stamped by the IL
brary copyrighted December q of the
same year. 1t Is certainly far from artistic.
but it is clear, graphic and clever.
Turning to the next print the observer Is
transported to the interior of the palace and
finds himself in the company of handful
of wonders.ruck, admiring visitors. With
the exception of the iron bracing the walls
are the same within as without, and no eff
fort apparently was made to relieve the ut
ter baroness. In the center Of the building,
under the dome, stood a statue preSuma-
bly, OF Washington, and around the rotunda
were placed other pieces of statuary, the
awfulness of which can not all be laid to
the lithographe door. From the rotunda
opened the tiers of galleries in which were
to be found the exhibits and on the balus-
trades of each floor were suspended signs
such as Great Britain and Ireland
Italy" etc. Indicating what special section
found home therein. 1t was very plain
and very primitive, but it was the initiative
step, and it gave the first impetus to Amer
lean manufacturing interests.
The Centennial.
Next in order come the pictures of the
centennial exposition, which was held from
May 10 to October 10, 1876. and from which
piled art it's American birth. This EXPOSE
ton was got up by municipal, state and
federal aid and the erection of fivesof it's
seven main buildings cost less than
81, 800, 900 1t covered an area of 236 acres.
The first picture which illustrates this ex-
position is a lithograph giving a general,
| long distance view from st. Georges Hill.
and in the clouds above series of histori-
cal pictures of the events which the fair
commemorated. Next comes a map Of Fair
Do rlx oh off tha cd
by the exposition, then bird s-eye views,
and, lastly, several excellent photographs
of separate buildings OF special interest
among these Is a representation of the
Fine Arts gallery, a low, dignihed we'll
proportioned structure, built with dome
and pavilions then there are interesting
and attractive views of the Horticultural
and Shoe and Leather buildings.
The Columbian Exposition.
Following these and occupying the largest
portion of the retrospective section are the
pictures of the Chicago Columbian EXPOSE
ton, which for art qualities and individual
beauty surpass all the others taken collec-
lively. Held but seventeen years after the
centennial, 1t emphasizes the tremendous
progress made by the United States in that
short time. Seen through the eyes of the
prints In this exhibition 1t becomes a dream
city which in its beauty almost eludes de-
scription. 1t lacks the rawness of many
of stability and permanence which mocks
at the thought of its magic growth and
| brief existence. 1t was visited by three
| times as many persons attended the CEN
| tennial, and its gross receipts were two mil
| lion dollars in excess of its cost. A BIRDS
| eye view, more interesting than is common,
| is given in a Autograph in colors from a
| painting by c. Graham, and a reproduction
of a painting by Mr.. John b. Key, local
| artist, which pictures the court of honor,
| the peristyle and the agricultural building,
| is given a conspicuous place In the adjoin-
| ing section. Near this Is a beautiful en-
| craving of the north lagoon. and scattered
| through the entire collection are number
| of charming etchlngs by Mr. Mielatz One
| OF these pictures the golden doorway Of
| the transportation building and another
| the bridge leading to the manufactures
| building, both delightful subjects savoring
| of foreign influence A view of State street
| is followed by views Of the separate state
buildings, among which Virginias reproduc-
| ton of the historic Mt. Vernon home Is
| specially conspicuous for appropriateness
| and simplicity, and New York's imposing
| structure for Its show of wealth.