Rare Opportunity: Two Different John Bull Train Tickets in one Columbian Expo Lot

In 1893 railroads were crisscrossed the country and Chicago as home to intersections of myriad numbers of railroad lines featured the old John Bull train as a centerpiece of railroading. In fact, in the often contentious battle between Chicago and New York for the right to stage the exposition, a major advantage Chicago's delegation stressed was the city's position as the nation's rail hub. It was also one of the tangible points where New York fell behind the Second City.

Railroads moved passengers and freight virtually anywhere in the United States, and those living anywhere other than Chicago, had to utilize train(s) to get there. For passengers and fairgoers looking not so much for a need to get somewhere but rather the excitement of riding on an historical train, the John Bull was at the fair and running quite well.

This lot includes both of the tickets shown; they differ in the limitations for travel laid out clearly on the front of the tickets. The reverse features a photo of the train and a few lines of history about it.

Both ticketks have been punched twicek indicating the ticketwere used. It was just one of many ways tickets were marked, torn, stamped, punched and otherwise making it impossible to use the ticket a second time without paying. The unobtrusive punches do a fine job of marking them used....whereas other concessions were much more drastic in their cancellation of the tickets.

The $56 price is much lower than you will find anywhere for TWO John Bull tickets. They typically sell for up to $40± per ticket