Ephemera, Americana, & Historical Memorabilia

[1893 CHICAGO WORLD’S FAIR, WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION]. TURNER, Robert Wilson (1858-?). Original Archive of Letters and Associated Documents of the Construction of the Replica of Columbus’ Ship, the Niña, for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair - Sold with an Original Oil Painting of the Ship Commissioned by Turner. [U. S. A. and Cadiz, Spain, 1890s]. 79 original letters (typed or holograph), or copies of letters, or other related documents to this endeavor, nearly all on various official stationery (United States Consulate, Madrid, Legation of the United States, Madrid, Western School Journal, United States Land Office, The Century Co., Ottawa University, W. Dunbar, Compiler and Publisher, Cuarto Centenario Descubrimiento de America Exposicion Historico-Americana and many more). 4to and 8vo pages. Some letters are multi-paged. Generally worn, soiled, toned, as one would expect. An excellent archive. In 1889, Turner was appointed the Consul General to Spain by President Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901), a role he filled until 1893. “Acting with Lieut. McCarthy Little, U.S.N., Mr. Turner awarded the contracts for the building of the caravels Pinta, Niña and Santa Marina, which were exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago, in 1893 and 1894, and for these services was decorated by the Sociedad Columbina de España.” (William E. Connelley, A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, 1918). This archive shows the various issues surrounding the building of the three vessels in Spain, their subsequent sailing to the Great Lakes for the Exhibition, and other issues. The vessels stayed in lakes until 1914 when they were to be sailed to the Panama Canal for its opening; only the Santa Maria was able to make the journey - the other two ships had to return to the lakes due to being unable to make the trip. Offered with: AGUILA Y ACOSTA, Adolfo (Spanish, ca. 1860-1912). Niña. Cadiz, 1892. Oil on canvas. Signed by the artist at the lower right hand corner. 23 x 31”. Framed 28 x 36”. Canvas has surface dirt, frame is worn with some occasional chipping. Very good. This painting was commissioned by Turner. This appears to be the only image of the Nina with her sails up, as she had to be towed across the ocean to Chicago. Provenance: the archive and painting come from the Turner family.