Pair of Passes to the Worlds Columbian Exposition Grounds. Included are: <strong>PASS, "Good Until December 31st, 1891." Very Choice About Uncirculated.</strong> 61 mm x 91 mm. Printed form on pale green card. Stamped serial number 558, in red. Recipients name filled in by hand, F.W. Putnam, with his autographed endorsement as "Chief Department M" at the lower right. "Department M" was shorthand for the Department of Ethnology. Signed in ink by Wm. T. Baker, as President (of the Board of Directors). This pass allowed for access to the grounds months in advance of the event, and would have been necessary to control access as the exhibits were being designed and assembled. <strong>PASS. "Good for One Admission Only." Extremely Fine.</strong> 61 mm x 103 mm. Printed form on pale green paper. Stamped serial number 1617, in red. Stamped signature of Wm. T. Baker and issued to F.W. Putnam, the latter penned in. Countersigned via rubber stamp at left by D.H. Burnbaum, the Chief of Construction. This was probably a pass giving access to the grounds to a guest, accompanied by Putnam who would have been the responsible party. This was probably for Putnams wife or son. One of these appeared in the December 2008 Heritage sale of the Norm Bolotin Collection, there described as a "press pass." While similar passes might have been use for the press, this one clearly did not serve in that capacity, as it is related to a much higher ranking individual. While many must have been issued to those who organized the event, it is highly unlikely that many were saved. (Total: 2 pieces)
