1898 Broadside: All About Alaska and the Klondike Gold Fields and the Wonderful Talking Machine
DESCRIPTION
This is vibrant broadside advertisement, printed in bold black ink on pink paper, promoting a public illustrated lecture and musical entertainment titled "All About Alaska and the Klondike Gold Fields and the Wonderful Talking Machine."
Likely produced around 1898, this poster is a fascinating artifact from the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, which began in 1896 and captured the imagination of the American public through the late 1890s. The event promised “50 Magnificent Views” projected by magic lantern—an early form of slideshow technology—offering attendees a vivid journey through the frozen north, with detailed images of Dawson City, the Yukon River, mining operations, and the daily life of prospectors. The “Talking Machine,” an early phonograph or similar device, was billed as a marvel of modern invention that could talk, laugh, sing, and play music, further heightening the novelty and appeal of the event.
The broadside cleverly combines educational spectacle and entertainment to attract a wide audience, with promises of powerful projections, realistic photographic views, and a musical program featuring contemporary selections and vocal performances. At a time when motion pictures were in their infancy, events like this satisfied the public's growing appetite for travel, adventure, and modern technology, while remaining accessible and affordable. The language and typographic style, including ornate borders, large block lettering, and the inclusion of figures like the gold prospector and jubilant performers, reflect the advertising aesthetics of the late 19th century.
Printed by Sears, Roebuck & Co. in Chicago, a company synonymous with mass communication and commerce at the time, this broadside captures the spirit of a nation fascinated with both the wonders of the frontier and the marvels of innovation.
CONDITION
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622