This lovely commemorative handkerchief was issued as a souvenir for the 1878 Exposition Universelle in Paris. The manufacturer initials A.L.T.F are printed into the lower left corner and the word ‘Déposé’ in the lower right (indicating trademark protections). The World’s Fair was held to celebrate France’s rapid recovery from the Franco-Prussian War, but the ambitious construction plans, woeful financial situation, and political infighting meant that the grounds were somewhat unfinished by the time of opening. The somewhat scrunched, heavily stylized view (final plans would look somewhat different) includes both major buildings constructed for the fair: the temporary Palais du Champ-de-Mars (lower left) and the permanent Palais du Trocadéro (upper right). A bridge over the bustling Seine connects the two areas, with lavish gardens, outdoor pavilions, and throngs of eager onlookers in between. Also of interest are the captive hydrogen gas balloon (the largest built, at the time), the cannons of Schneider-Creusot, and the cascading fountain designed by Gabriel Davioud. Source: Brown University Library
