By Doug Boilesen, 2024
To promote the phonograph as a consumer
product the phonograph industry and its dealers were always looking
for opportunities to demonstrate their machines and compete for
recognition that their machines and records were the best. World's
Fairs, State Fairs and County Fairs were all venues were gold ribbons
and recognition could be sought to enhance the reputation of their
brand.
Phonographia.com has specific galleries
for World's Fairs such as the Paris
Exposition Universelle of 1889 and the 1893
World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
This gallery is about the smaller
venues of state and county fairs and other local exhibitions and
festivals where the phonograph could be seen on public display often
in the context of other products also being shown.
Advertising was heavily encouraged
by the major phonograph trade publications such the The Phonoscope,
The Talking Machine World, The Voice of the Victor,
The Columbia Record, and the Edison Phonograph Monthly
and articles included writing about the benefits of participating
at fairs and public shows.
The following are examples from some
of those trade magazines. Other popular culture ephemera such as
postcards and consumer magazines related to the phonograph at fairs,
festivals and public expositions are also displayed.
