Historical Context

The check represents a rare financial artifact from the aftermath of the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, a massive World's Fair held in Omaha, Nebraska, from June 1 to October 31, 1898.

• Purpose of the Fair: The exposition was designed to showcase the rapid development, resources, and civilization of the American West after the Panic of 1893. It drew over 2.5 million visitors and featured massive, neoclassical temporary buildings centered around a grand lagoon.

• The "Distribution of Assets": Unlike many global expositions that lost money, the Trans-Mississippi Expo was a remarkable financial success. After the event closed, a liquidation process took place to distribute remaining profits and asset sales back to the venture's stockholders.

• The Refund Milestones: The left-hand margin details the exact timeline of these payouts:

  • November 4, 1898: First payout of 75%.

  • April 15, 1899: Second payout of 12.5%.

  • June 26, 1899: This final "2 1/2% Distribution" brought the total capital refund to 90% just days before the Exposition offices closed permanently on July 1, 1899.

Specific Artifact Details

• The Payee: Made out to C.J. Ryan for the micro-sum of 25 cents (representing a tiny fractional shareholding in the fair's corporation).

• The Bank: Drawn on the First National Bank of Omaha, Neb., which served as the primary financial clearinghouse for the event's funds.

• The Security Stamp: The intricate red security background pattern features the large numbers "2 1/2" intertwined with the text "Distribution" to prevent check alteration.

• The Signee: Signed at the bottom right by John A. Wakefield, who served as the official Secretary of the exposition.

• Lithography: Printed with fine-line security engravings by the regional firm Klopp & Bartlett Co. Litho, a detail visible at the very bottom edge of the paper.

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