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Collectibles of 1893 Chicago world’s fair provide a glimpse into another time.

Postcards, ribbons and puzzles transport collectors to the Chicago world’s fair.

Showcasing ingenuity and achievement are goals of all world’s fairs, but the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago world’s fair, set the benchmark for those that followed. Souvenirs from the event capture a bit of that magic and are popular with collectors today.

Postcard

While postcards started circulating in Europe around 1870, early examples were intended as commemoratives or used for advertising.

The cards produced for the fair were the first to be sold as souvenirs, and they are plentiful. At the time, the post office didn’t allow any correspondence on the address side, so message space was left on the front.

Worth: $5-$30; cards stamped and postmarked from the fair can bring hundreds of dollars

Columbus Egg Puzzle

Produced by Chicago’s P.M. Baumgardner & Co., this nickel-plated egg has two counterweights inside. The puzzle is to align the weights so that the egg balances on its point. It was made in reference to an account of Christopher Columbus getting a real egg to stand vertically, and was patented just as the exposition was beginning.

Worth: $20-$40 without box; more than $100 in mint condition with original box and instructions

Candy Tongs

These petite implements were made to serve pieces of Huyler’s molasses chewing candy. At the time of the fair, Huyler’s was one of the largest, most prestigious candy manufacturers in the country. Made of sterling silver, these souvenir tongs bear the image of the Santa Maria on one side and Columbus and his men on the other.

Worth: Up to $90

Playing Cards

These decorated decks typically feature fair scenes and historical personalities. Single cards will sell, but complete decks in their original boxes have the highest value. The set pictured was manufactured by the World’s Fair Souvenir Card Co., designed and lithographed by the Winters Art Lithographing Co. Worth: $25-$35; mint sets in original boxes up to $200

Libbey Glass

Edward Libbey decided to exhibit his struggling glassware company at the Columbian Exposition, despite opposition from the company’s board. The risk paid off. More than 2 million people visited the display, turning Libbey Glass into a household name. The pavilion charged admission and featured a working glass factory—and offered a wide range of souvenirs, including a variety of paperweights. Worth: Up to $100

Heinz Pickle

Concerned that fairgoers wouldn’t climb the stairs to visit his second-floor exhibit, H.J. Heinz distributed printed tags promising a free gift. Visitors who mounted the steps received a pickleshaped charm made of the natural latex guttapercha. “Heinz’s Keystone” was marked on the charm. H.J. Heinz’s plan was so successful that the floor sagged from the amount of traffic it caused. A later version of the charm, made of plastic, is still available.

Worth: $15-$25

Ribbon

Many souvenir ribbons were made for the fair, but this one is from the National Public School Celebration commemorating Columbus’ arrival to the Americas. The celebration—which took place at schools across the country—was planned to coincide with the fair’s opening day, but due to construction delays, fair gates didn’t open to the public until May 1893. (The celebration, for which an early version of the Pledge of Allegiance was penned, took place as scheduled in October 1892.) Worth: $8-$35

Walking Stick

Patented in 1892, these walking sticks had a leatherwrapped shaft topped with a pot-metal Columbusbust grip. Many have survived, but wear, such as dents or missing tip caps, can affect value.

Worth: $40 in cataloged auctions, but other examples bring more than $200 online

Sandy Garrison and Joe Kenz, a certified personal property appraiser, are the co-owners of Rhubarb Reign, an antiques and design business specializing in casual furniture, found objects and all things repurposed. Their valuations are based on fair market value. Thanks to world’s fair lecturer and collector Jenny Harness for her knowledge and collection.