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Category: Vintage Advertising

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

Vintage 1950s Travel Brochures & Pamphlets

I love travelling and just recently got back from a trip to Colombia (Bogota & Cartagena) and it was an absolute amazing vacation (1 100% recomend it)!

When heading out on a new adventure, one of my favourite things to do is the planning. I’m not a “figure out when I get there” kind of gal, I’m a planner. I really enjoy browsing the web and see what people are saying about my country / city of choice and I always pickup my Lonely Planet travel book for more ideas. It adds to the excitement of the trip.

These days it’s super easy to get travel info right from the web, but before the internet one would visit a travel agency to get travel brochures on locations they wish to travel too. For today’s post, I’m going to show off some of the cool looking 1950s travel pamphlets that showcase travel destinations for destinations all over the world.

Let the fun begin!

Vintage 1939 travel brochure for Greyhound Bus featuring an illustration of a couple in late 1930s fashions heading on an adventure.

1939 Travel Brochure (I liked the imagery) Source: Etsy


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. 

Note: If you click on a product link and it is no longer available, don’t fret! Etsy & eBay are updated daily with new vintage items so you are bound to find something else you will love just as much.


Vintage 1950s Travel Brochures & Pamphlets

1953 Happiness Tours brochure – Over 40 vacation suggestions.

Vintage 1950's Travel Brochure -Happiness Tours Vacation Guide - 1953 featuring an illustration of a man holiding luggage with travel brochures behind him.

Visit places like the Canadian Rockies, Yellowstone, Nassau and so much more!

Vintage 1950's Travel Brochure -Happiness Tours Vacation Guide - 1953. Visit places like the Canadian Rockies, Nassau and so much more! Brochure features 2 women and a man in 1950 swimsuits running in the water.

Source: Etsy

1950s travel brochure for visiting Central Ontario for your Canadian Vacation (avail as of May 2023 HERE).

I live in Ontario (Toronto) and so I always love seeing vintage content like this on my home province.

Vintage 1950s Central Ontario Travel Brochure

Fun map of Central Ontario (Toronto is in the bottom right) and my family is on Lake Huron to the left (but in Southwest Ontario).

Vintage 1950s Central Ontario Travel Brochure featuring a colourful map of Ontario.

Source: Etsy

Let’s Talk About Your Trip to Europe. – 1953 published by Pacific Motor Sales – Covers what a tourist should know about traveling there. How to plan an Itinerary, how much money to bring and what’s wrong with Europe.

See Spain by Motor Coach – early 1950s inclusive or package or tours. Published by Autotransporte Turistico Espanol S.A. Madrid. Several package tours by bus with hotel and meals included. First Class and Luxury level.


Traveling Economically in Great Britain – 1954 published for the British Tourist and Holiday’s abroad in London. Great color graphics along with what to do and not to do in England (avail as of May 2023 HERE).

Visit Europe! 1950s Travel Brochures for Spain, Great Britain and Europe. Vintage Travel Advertising.
1950s Travel Brochure for tips on visiting Europe.
1950s Travel Brochure-Traveling Economically in Great Britain - 1954 published for the British Tourist and Holiday's abroad in London.
1950s Spain Travel Brochure -See Spain by Motor Coach - early 1950s inclusive or package or tours.

Source: eBay

1950s Brochure: What to see and do in Fabulous Los Angeles! (avail as of May 2023 HERE)

1950s What to See and Do in Fabulous Los Angeles Brochure-features an illustration of a 1950s couple.

Source: eBay

Trip Through Italy, circa 1954.

This vintage tourist brochure promoting travel to Italy is written in English and was compiled and edited by Roberto De Gasperis of ENIT (Ente Nationale Industrie Turistiche (National Tourist Industry Department).

The content prepares the traveler with what they need to know both before and during the trip, including what clothes to pack, advice about hotel facilities, import information, tourists’ assistance, motorists’ and railroad itineraries, guarded camping sites, specialized repair shops, and more.

When completely unfolded the inside has two maps of Italy, one showing airlines and highways, the other showing railway lines and maritime routes.

Trip Through Italy 1950s Vintage Travel Guide / 1950s Travel Brochure featuring an illustration of a train and a car.
Trip Through Italy 1950s Vintage Travel Guide / 1950s Travel Brochure featuring hotels you can stay at and Esso gas to fill up your car.

Source: Etsy

1952 Hawaiian Islands Travel Brochures for Inter Island Air Cruises and United Airlines (avail as of May 2023 HERE).

1950s vintage travel brochure: 1952 Hawaiian Islands Travel Brochures Inter Island, United Airlines. The brochures feature beautiful illustrations of people visiting Hawaii, people playing on the beach and flying.
Visit the Hawaiian Islands -1950s vintage travel brochure featuring illustrations of the Islands, and people having fun in Hawaii.

Source: Etsy

Time to visit Champagne – Ardennes – France.

When I was in Paris a few years back, I wanted to visit the Champagne region so bad but we just did not have time. Another Time! (avail as of May 2023 HERE)

1950s vintage travel brochure for Champagne - Ardennes - France featuring an illustration of woman picking grapes.

Source: Etsy

1958 vintage travel brochure for a Pan American trip to Bermuda & Nassau (avail as of May 2023 HERE).

1958 vintage travel brochure for PAN AMERICAN - Nassau & Bermuda featuring an illustration of a woman in Bermuda shorts on a bike.
1958 vintage travel brochure for PAN AMERICAN - Nassau & Bermuda

Source: Etsy

Visit the French Alps! Travel brochure for The French Alps, with vintage maps and travel information (avail as of May 2023 HERE).

1950s travel brochure for the french alps
1950s travel brochure for the french alps featuring youth hostels you could stay at

Source: Etsy

1950s Key West, Florida vacation guide from the Chamber of Commerce .

Further Reading: Vintage Photos of Key West, Florida

1950s Vintage Travel Brochure for Key West Florida
1950s Vintage Travel Brochure for Key West Florida featuring illustrations of things you can do when you visit.

Source: Etsy

I am going to end this post with a fun little brochure for Hotel Rates in Cuba from 1955 before America left the country. I love the font.

1950s Vintage Brochure for 1955 Summer Hotel Rates for Cuba - Island Wide

Source: eBay

I hope you enjoyed checking out these fun vintage travel brochures & pamphlets. Let me know in the comments section below which ones you enjoyed the most!

Further Reading: Collection of my Vintage Travel Posts

Thanks for dropping by!

Here are a couple of photos from our visit to Bogota, Colombia in April / May 2022.

View of the city Bogota Colombia
Mountain view of all of Bogota, Colombia
Walking thru the historic part of Bogota Colombia
Walking thru the historic part of Bogota

Liz