Antique one-sided embossed photogravure depicting a scene of Gondolas in the Canal from the Columbian Exposition. The caption tells us this is a "view along the Canal from a point near the Obelisk with the Agricultural and Liberal Arts Buildings on the right, the Machinery and Electricity Buildings on the left, and the Illinois State Building in the extreme distance." The World's Columbian Exposition was a world's fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Published on heavyweight paper by D. Appleton Co., New York. Full size measures approximately 12.5 x 16.5. Recommended framing area including image, artist/title, and embossed inner white border (that portion of the border that would normally be visible after framing or matting) measures approximately 14.5 x 10.5. Condition: Print is in very good condition aside from a small moisture stain on the left edge and some extremely light age browning of white border along edges well outside the recommended framing area. There are no pin holes or tape marks anywhere on this antique print. Comments: The official history site of the 1893 World's Fair, in reporting about the Canal and gondoliers states, "It was a clever suggestion which resulted in bringing from Venice real gondolas and real gondoliers in all their finery but, oddly enough it had the effect of soon making the gondola a thing of the past even in the old European city. The boat was picturesque, but it was slow and clumsy, and the electric launch glided past or around it at will, swifter, noiseless, more graceful, and above all, more comfortable. And visiting Venetians saw and thought, and a company was formed and the ancient lagoons and canals, so it is said, may no longer know the style of boats which has existed for so many centuries. Be this as it may, the gondolas and their oarsmen were an artistic novelty and an attraction at the Fair."