A Century of Progress Group Pass - World's Fair - 1934 dated Specimen Ticket

Group Pass for the "A Century of Progress" printed by American Bank Note Company. Specimen ticket.

This 1934 “A Century of Progress” Group Pass was created for the second season of Chicago’s renowned Century of Progress International Exposition. It was designed to grant authorized groups access to the exposition grounds. The pass features spaces for the group’s name, account information, and signature. Its intricate engraved border, multicolored security design, serial number “0000,” punched cancellations, and prominent “SPECIMEN” overprint indicate that it was a sample created for approval or recordkeeping rather than for actual admission. The piece appears to have been produced by the American Bank Note Company and bears the printed signatures of exposition officials along its lower edge.

The Century of Progress, held along Chicago’s lakefront in 1933 and 1934, marked the city’s centennial. It showcased advancements in science, architecture, transportation, and industry. The futuristic buildings and popular exhibits offered a hopeful vision of modern life during the challenging years of the Great Depression. Over 39 million people attended the fair’s two seasons, making surviving passes, tickets, and other admission documents highly sought-after mementos of one of America’s most influential world’s fairs. As an unused specimen, this example is particularly appealing due to its pristine condition and valuable insights into the fair’s administrative and security-printing practices.