In 1892, the Singer Mfg. Co. commissioned a set of 36 advertising cards with the intent of giving them away as souvenirs during the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Titled Costumes of All Nations, the card packaging reads:
These cards are lithographed reproductions of photographs taken on the spot in the various countries and provinces and colored there to correctly represent the native costumes. They are National Costume Studies, reliable and perfect in every detail.
Each card illustrates a native of the country or province in traditional garb, seated at or using their Singer sewing machine. The reverse of the card has a brief description of the country and a few words about the Singer sewing machine office located there.
Distributed in boxed sets of 36, the cards are copyright 1892 by the Singer Manufacturing Co. and printed by J. Ottmann Lith. Co.
Costumes of All Nations |
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Sweden
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Norway
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Japan
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Hungary
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Burmah
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Florentine
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India
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Spain
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China
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Roumania
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Italy
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Ajgeria
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Manila
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I have a complete set of these cards and am curious to know if you can give an approximate value for them. They are in pretty good shape and most of the box is still intact – the top flap is missing.
Like many collectible items, the value is only worth what someone is willing to pay for them. Plus just because an item is rare, doesn’t make it valuable.
If you want to know the true value, place the item on eBay with a ridiculously high reserve (assuming you don’t want to sell it).
You will then get an accurate street value.
I am a collector of Chicago historical items, but they are a mere curiosity to me and would not pay more than $25 for the set.
Hi,
I’m looking for Johore Custom. During this expo,Johore (Southern States in Malaysia) was been represent by 2 merchant Mr. Abu El Hade and Mr. Moonading on behalf of Maharaja Sir Abu Bakar..
Your website very information, it will be great for me get more information since it was first time for Johore to participant in this exhibition during this era. It our pride and part of our history.