1889 Judge Magazine | Satire of US Cities Competing for the Worlds Fair

$54.00

This 1889 Judge Magazine cover turns the fight to host the 1893 World’s Fair into a piece of pure political theater. Chicago, New York, St. Louis, and Washington appear like anxious suitors peeking through the curtain, each one hoping to be chosen while a family watches the drama unfold. It’s a gentle but sharp jab at how civic pride, national ambition, and political lobbying often slide into spectacle. Originally printed at a moment when cities were pouring money, favors, and political capital into winning the Fair, this illustration captures the competition with humor and a surprisingly modern eye. Over a century later, it still reads as a reminder that the scramble for power and prestige has never been rational — just louder, more frantic, and always a bit ridiculous. Authentic resistance art isn’t only about calling out authoritarianism; it’s also about exposing the machinery of political ambition. This vintage piece does both with elegance.

Product features - Available in natural wood, black, or white frames with matching hands - Pre-installed backside hook for easy hanging - Vibrant, high-definition printed illustration on plexiglass face - Silent quartz mechanism; requires one AA battery (not included) - One standard size: 10" x 10" (25.4 x 25.4 cm); for indoor use only Care instructions - Wipe the dust off gently with a clean, dry microfiber cloth

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This 1889 Judge Magazine cover turns the fight to host the 1893 World’s Fair into a piece of pure political theater. Chicago, New York, St. Louis, and Washington appear like anxious suitors peeking through the curtain, each one hoping to be chosen while a family watches the drama unfold. It’s a gentle but sharp jab at how civic pride, national ambition, and political lobbying often slide into spectacle. Originally printed at a moment when cities were pouring money, favors, and political capital into winning the Fair, this illustration captures the competition with humor and a surprisingly modern eye. Over a century later, it still reads as a reminder that the scramble for power and prestige has never been rational — just louder, more frantic, and always a bit ridiculous. Authentic resistance art isn’t only about calling out authoritarianism; it’s also about exposing the machinery of political ambition. This vintage piece does both with elegance.

Product features - Available in natural wood, black, or white frames with matching hands - Pre-installed backside hook for easy hanging - Vibrant, high-definition printed illustration on plexiglass face - Silent quartz mechanism; requires one AA battery (not included) - One standard size: 10" x 10" (25.4 x 25.4 cm); for indoor use only Care instructions - Wipe the dust off gently with a clean, dry microfiber cloth