Paper items are popular collectibles. These collectibles can inform, enlighten and amuse their owners. The above item not only gives us information, it also marks a date in the history of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (LPE). The LPE was supposed to open its gates on April 30, 1903, exactly 100 years to the day from the signing of the Louisiana Purchase agreement, however the fairgrounds were not ready, a fact that was apparent the year before. The fair fathers petitioned the United States Congress in 1902 to allow the fair to open on April 30, 1904. The Congress agreed. The dedication of the fairgrounds took place April 30 through May 2, 1903 with many ceremonies. One major ceremony took place in the Palace of Liberal Arts, located near the entrance of the fairgrounds. President Theodore Roosevelt was present at this ceremony.
The above ticket stub measures roughly 3" by 2" the front was printed in two colors, black and tan. The front bears the images of Thomas Jefferson, President at the time of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase, and Theodore Roosevelt President at the time of the 1904 World's Fair. The words Louisiana Purchase Exposition arch above the images and the center decoration. In the center are the words "Souvenir of the Dedication Ceremonies". Below the images the dates "April 30th, May 1st, May 2nd, 1903" appear. The ticket is signed my Norris B. Gregg, Director of Div. Concessions and Admissions and David R. Francis, President of The Louisiana Purchase Exposition Company. This ticket was number 496, currently I do not know how many tickets were made for these ceremonies. The eagle on the bottom was one of the symbols of the fair and it appeared on my items and official medals. The back of the ticket, printed in green ink, depicts a log house with the words "In front of this house the final transfer of the Louisiana Purchase territory was made, St. Louis, March 10th 1804". It also bears the type "copyrighted 1897 by Pierre Chouteau".As far as I know this building is no longer standing.
Dedication Day, April 30, 1903 in front of the Louisiana Purchase Monument
Photo from "From the Palaces to the Pike" Page 23, Copyright 1997 by the Missouri Historical Society
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