Goldsmith Cards From 1893 World's Fair With Postmarked Wrapper

I've had one of these cards for many years, but recently got lucky and was able to obtain a set in very nice condition. It is not quite complete (but soon will be).

The lithography on these is spectacular. They were printed on the back of UX10 postal cards and are arguably the first popular picture postcards issued in the U.S. PPCs didn't really catch on in America for another seven or eight years.

The cards were sold in pairs through vending machines at the fair and off-site collectors could buy a full set of ten. These came in a wrapper so they could be mailed together. The wrappers had a much lower survival rate than the cards, so I was thrilled to get one with my set -- and in another stroke of luck, the wrapper has a World's Fair Station cancel from August 1893. All in all, a very nice set. I'll post some of my favorites.

Awesome to have the original wrapper sent from the World's Fair in 1893! Thanks for sharing these.

I hoping to find some information regarding the size of these cards. They were originally issued as 6 1/8" by 3¾" but they are frequently seen in a trimmed-down size of 6" by 3 1/2". I've read that this may have been done "officially" but I'm not sure what that means. If anyone can provide details I'd appreciate it.

There are detailed listings of the various sets in the United Postal Stationery Society's postal card catalog. Some of the series (especially with a stamp added) were trimmed to fit vending machines used on exposition grounds.

This is very helpful -- thanks paperhistory! Now to find a library copy...

I now have the complete set of First Series cards, so I'm going to post the others in the set. These are all really nice designs, imho.













I also found some answers to my previous questions. The set shown here is the complete first issue. A second set was issued later in the fair's run, with the Manufacturer's Bldg and Mines Bldg. replaced by new designs: Fine Art Bldg. (#3) and the Machinery Bldg. (#7)

I believe all of these cards have trimmed-down versions (6" by 3 1/2") in order to fit them into the vending machines at the fair. There is also a third set of all 12 designs that was sold after the fair, I believe. These are not numbered, but instead say "Set of Twelve." Oddly, all the cards say "First Series."