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Category: Toronto

Vintage Advertising for the CNE – Canadian National Exhibition

Every summer since 1879, Toronto has been hosting the ‘Canadian National Exhibition AKA the CNE’. It is starting again this Friday and I’m excited to drop by and see the cool exhibits, eat some food and people watch. It will be awesome!

Due to my love of this big fair, I have done several posts over the years on this topic and I’m excited to bring one more to all of you….Vintage Advertising, Posters & Programmes from the 1880s to the 1960s (please scroll to the end to see my other posts).

Let’s begin!

Images: CNE Heritage

CNE Pamphlet 1933 featuring an illustration of people at the Canadian National Exhibition in 1930s fashions

1933 CNE Pamphlet –CNE Heritage

1880’s-1960’s Advertising for the CNE

Vintage Advertising, Posters & Programmes

Brief History:

The first Canadian National Exhibition took place in 1879, largely to promote agriculture and technology in Canada. Agriculturists, engineers and scientists exhibited their discoveries and inventions at the CNE to showcase the work and talent of the nation (Wikipedia). Apparently, prior to 1879, the fair had traveled throughout the province, but eventually settled where the crowds were after local stakeholders campaigned to make it a permanent city attraction (blogto.com).


1884 Prize List Front Cover featuring the Exhibition on the Toronto waterfront.

It was also called, “The Great Industrial Fair & Semi- Centennial Exposition” in those early days of the fair

Vintage Prize List from the Toronto CNE, Canadian National Exhibition from 1884.

From CNE Heritage:

Pictured here is the 1885 Prize List Front Cover featuring the Crystal Palace & the Lighting Tower. This colour lithograph showed the illumination of the Exhibition provided by the lighting tower. Outdoor lighting was a feature of the early exhibitions.

As announced in the 1883 Prize List: “The grounds and buildings will be illuminated each evening with Electric Lights of all kinds invented up to the present time; and the Consumers’ Gas Company, of Toronto, announce that they will make an exhibit of gas lights announce that they will make an exhibit of gas lights that will eclipse the electric lights.”

Public admission to the grounds in 1885 was 25 cents. People had to walk through turnstiles to get in and, warned the prize list sternly in bold type. Each person must be provided the proper change before entering.

1880's Canadian National Exhibition, CNE Advertisement-1885 Prize List Front Cover featuring the Crystal Palace & the Lighting Tower. This colour lithograph showed the illumination of the Exhibition provided by the lighting tower. Outdoor lighting was a feature of the early exhibitions.

1886 programme.

Programme Cover, 1886 for the CNE, Canadian National Exhibition

In 1920, the Canadian National Exhibition had a parking area for 10,000 cars as seen in this vintage postcard image.

1920s vintage postcard: In 1920, the Canadian National Exhibition had a parking area for 10,000 cars as seen in this vintage postcard image featuring early 1920s cars.

1923 CNE Poster.

About: Featuring the Dufferin Gates & International Year. The art for this poster was created by Stanley F. Turner (1883-1953).

1923 CNE Poster-Canadian National Exhibition featuring the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation.

1927 CNE Pamphlet Cover for the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation.

1927 CNE Pamphlet Cover for the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation

1937 CNE Brochure Cover-“Coronation Year”.

The year 1937 was a challenging one for the Canadian National Exhibition Association, due to the outbreak of Polio (Source).

An excerpt from the 1937 Annual Report:

“Provincial and municipal health authorities took prompt measures to control and abate the epidemic. Indeed, the advisability of closing the Exhibition’s gates to children was seriously discussed. Railway and steamship excursions to Toronto were cancelled and tourists were warned and sometimes unduly alarmed at ports of entry. As a precautionary measure the Exhibition management cancelled the baby show which had attracted one thousand entries and notified the health departments of its eagerness to co-operate to the fullest possible extent in overcoming the menace to public health.”

1937 CNE Brochure Cover

“International Typewriting Content” – 1937 Typewriting Competition Pamphlet (Inside Content)

1937 Typewriting Competition Pamphlet (Inside Content)

“See the newest 1940 model Street Cars at the CNE”. 1940’s vintage TTC ad (Toronto Transit Commission).

1940s vintage ad for Toronto Transit Commission TTC see the newest 1940 streetcar model at the Toronto CNE

Source: BlogTO

CNE Ad in Chatelaine Magazine, 1940.

1940s vintage ad: CNE Ad in Chatelaine Magazine, 1940

1941 Program.

The towering figure of a man rolling up his sleeves in this poster is a detail from a large oil painting by Toronto artist, Grant Macdonald (1909-1987).

The CNE commissioned Mr. Macdonald to create this painting for use in the poster and programme cover that year. The CNE’s theme in 1941 was “Canada’s Anwer” (its answer to fascism in Europe). Grant Macdonald used a soldier by the name of J.C. Cockburn of Toronto as his model. The Toronto Star sold prints at the 1941 CNE to benefit the Red Cross British Bomb Victims Fund. The painting was also offered for sale the same year also to raise money for the Bomb Victims Fund (Source-CNE Heritage)

1941 Program.

The towering figure of a man rolling up his sleeves in this poster is a detail from a large oil painting by Toronto artist, Grant Macdonald

This article from the Globe and Mail provides details about the closure of the CNE during the Second World War from 1942 to 1946. Although the war ended in 1945, it took quite a while for the military to move out, which is why the CNE was not staged in 1946. Prime Minister Mackenzie King re-opened the fair at the Bandshell in 1947 (Source: CNE Heritage).

1942 Article about the Cancellation of the CNE during WW2

1948 CNE Programme Cover featuring a band playing at the CNE Bandshell.

1940s vintage advertising: 1948 CNE Programme Cover featuring a band playing at the CNE Bandshell.

1950 General Motors Product Line. Canadian National Exhibition 2 page magazine ad.

1950s advertising: 1950 General Motors Product Line-CNE-Canadian National Exhibition Original 2 Page Magazine Ad

Source: Etsy – OriginalAutoAds

Fireworks over the Princes Gates. 1950 Official CNE Souvenir Catalogue & Programme.

The 1950 CNE program

Source: Bertie the Brain

1954 Programme. “Canada on the March”.

1954 Canadian National Exhibition Toronto Programme.

Source: Pinterest

1958 program – “Canadian National Exhibition in its 80th year”.

1958 Canadian National Exhibition Toronto Programme, celebrating 80 years featuring an illustration of a family going to the CNE

Source: Pinterest

1958 School Competition Prize List featuring an illustration of an adorable boy and girl.

1950s Canadian National Exhibition aka the CNE, School Competition Prize List from 1958 featuring an illustration of a boy and girl

1965 CNE Programme Cover, signed! “Sights & Sounds of the Sixties” featuring an illustration of Victor Borge & Bob Hope (and Bob’s signature).

1965 CNE Programme Cover, signed! "Sights & Sounds of the Sixties" featuring an illustration of Victor Borge & Bob Hope

The CNE gets GROOVY! 1966 program cover.

The CNE gets GROOVY! 1966 program cover for the Canadian National Exhibition.

I hope you enjoyed this fun post, even if you have never been to the CNE!

Please share in the comments section any thoughts you wish to share about this post, I love hearing from my readers.

FURTHER READING: A collection of past CNE posts I have done and a link to my Toronto archive posts….

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Exhibits & Displays Seen At The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) From The 1920s-1960s

One of my favourite things to do in Toronto at the end of the summer, is the famous ‘Canadian National Exhibition’ aka the ‘CNE‘. I just love the history of this giant fair that has been going on since 1897, and the Art Deco & Mid Century Modern buildings on site are not to be missed. I even had my engagement photos taken there. It’s just great!

So for today’s post we are going to take a look at vintage images and ads featuring exhibits / displays that you would of been seen at the CNE between 1920s and 1960s.

Let’s take a look!

Note: All images are from the CNE Heritage website.


Vintage Photos of Exhibits & Displays Seen At The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)

Vegetable Exhibit, 1928. WOW what a collection of veggies!

1920s vintage photo of the Vegetable Exhibit, 1928 at the Toronto CNE.

“See Toronto Hydro Electric System’s Display in the Electrical Building”. 1929 Toronto Hydro Ad in the CNE programme.

1920s vintage ad: 1929 Toronto Hydro Ad In CNE Programme

CNE Automotive Show, 1929. What car would you buy?

1920s vintage photo of the Toronto CNE Automotive Show,1929. Lots of 1920s vehicles.

Poscard for the Nash Car Exhibit at the 1939 CNE.

1930s vintage Postcard for the Nash Car Exhibit @ The 1939 CNE.

The Goblin Electric Display at The Toronto CNE, 1937 featuring a woman dressed as a goblin.

The Goblin Electric Display at The Toronto CNE, 1937 featuring a woman dressed as a goblin

1930s vintage ad for Canadian General Electric Model Kitchen exhibit as seen in the 1935 CNE programme.

1930s vintage ad for Canadian General Electric Model Kitchen as seen in Toronto at the CNE in 1935

TTC (Toronto Transit Commision) Exhibit at the CNE Automotive Building, 1936.

1930s vintage photo of the TTC (Toronto Transit Commision) exhibit at the CNE Automotive Building, 1936.

Christie’s Biscuits Display at the 1936 CNE.

1930s vintage photo of the Christie's Biscuits Display @ The 1936 Toronto CNE

RCA Victor Display; ca. 1940.

1940s vintage photo of the RCA Victor Display; ca. 1940 at the Toronto CNE.

“See how Electricity gives CANADA’S ANSWER!” Toronto Hydro Ad in the CNE programme, 1941 featuring all the ways electricity is helping Canadian Women on the homefront.

1940s vintage ad for Toronto Hydro Ad In the CNE Programme, 1941 featuring an illustration of how electricity helps women on the homefront.

A 1940 cooking demonstration (which could qualify as an exhibit).

1940s vintage photo of a cooking demonstration in 1940 at the Toronto CNE

Bendix Washing Machine ad for their demonstration exhibit as seen in the CNE programme, 1947.

1940s vintage advertising: Bendix Washing Machine ad for their demonstration exhibit in the CNE (Canadian national Exhibition) Programme, 1947.

Televisions on display at the 1953 CNE.

Televisions On Display At The 1950 CNE featuring men in 1950s fashions and a woman in a 1950s dress and purse.

1950s vintage photo of the Chrysler Corporation display of an experimental car in 1954.

1950s vintage photo A Chrysler Corporation display of an experimental car in 1954 at the Toronto CNE

1955 photo of the Army Exhibit – Navy personnel posed with very stylish women in 1950s fashions.

1950s Vintage Photo: 1955 Photo of the Army Exhibit - Navy personnel posed with very stylish women in 1950s fashions and 1950s hairstyles at the Toronto CNE.

1959 Australia Exhibit featuring a woman holding a dog with a bagpiper.

1950s vintage photo of the 1959 Australia exhibit featuring an image of a woman in a 1950s dress holding a dog with a bagpiper

1959 – The Austria Exhibit featuring a collection of downhill skiis.

1950s vintage photo of the Austria exhibit showcasing downhill skiis at the Toronto CNE in 1959

One more from Austria in 1960. A dirndl is a must at this exhibit (I own 3!).

1960s vintage photo of a woman in a Dirndl at the Austria Exhibit at the Toronto CNE in 1960. She is surrounded by others in early 1960s fashions.

The Barbados T.C.A. exhibit in 1960 featuring all the places you can go and the fantastic purses you can buy (I love the purse our young woman is holding!).

1960s vintage photo of the The Barbados T.C.A. exhibit in 1960 featuring all the places you can go with the airline. The image features a TCA flight attendant and two young Black girls in pretty 1960s dresses and a fantastic 1960s straw purse.

“The New Lady Schick Consolette” (I own a very similar one!). 1960s Lady Schick hair dryer demo booth.

1960s vintage photo of a lady schick hair dryer demo at the Toronto CNE image features two women in 1960s fashions

“An invitation….Take home new ideas for a lovelier home from the Arborite Company Limited display-Booth B.6. in the “Better Living” Building.”

Arborite Ad in the CNE programme, 1962.

1960s vintage Mid-Century Home Decor ad: Arborite Ad in the CNE Programme, 1962.

Last photo…100 Jobs For Women Display in the 1960s.

1960s vintage photo of women in 1960s fashions at the 100 Jobs For Women Display @ The CNE ca. 1960s

Question time: Do you have a big exhibition / fair in your town? Do you like to attend? What are you favourite things to see / do & eat? Share any thoughts in the comments section below.

FURTHER READING:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz