Pan-American Exposition Souvenir

Buffalo was the eighth-largest city in the USA when it was chosen as the venue for the World’s Fair of 1901. The exposition came to be remembered for two things – the assassination of President William McKinley at the Temple of Music on 6th September 1901 and the illumination of the exposition buildings and grounds at night (filmed by Thomas A. Edison, Inc.). Each card in this pack has an oval photographic view in black and white of an exposition building or a landmark in the city of Buffalo. The central motif on the back features ‘North America’ and ‘South America’ joining hands. Gilt edges. The box also exists in brown. See the box►

Above: Pan-American Exposition Souvenir Playing Cards published by the Pan-American Souvenir Playing Card Co., Inc., Buffalo, NY, USA, 1901. 52 cards + 1 Joker in telescopic box. Size: 62.5 x 88 mm. Copyright, 1901, by Pan-American Souvenir Playing Card Co., Incorporated, 458 Washington St., Buffalo, N.Y.

Reference

Dawson, Tom and Judy. The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards. Stamford, CT, USA: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.; 2000. p.250, SX18.