Let’s Go to the Ex: Vintage CNE Ads from the Past
The Canadian National Exhibition is a staple of the summer’s end in Toronto. For 137 years the fair has come to town bringing games, entertainment, rides, and more to the masses. And for as long as the CNE has been around there have been posters, ads, programs and more to entice people to visit the Exhibition Grounds near the lakeshore.
Today we’re looking back at 10 of our favourite pieces of print from the history of the CNE, dating back to 1907. Have a look back with us and share any great pieces from the CNE you have!
And in case you’ve missed any of the previous entries in the Vintage Ads Series, have a look back and see what we’ve featured so far.
Vintage Beer Ads Vintage Car Ads
Vintage Cigarette Ads Vintage Fast Food Ads
Vintage Candy Ads Vintage Lingerie Ads
Vintage Horror Movie Posters Vintage Shaving Ads
Vintage Christmas Ads Vintage Winter Ads
Vintage Valentine’s Day Ads Vintage Vacation Ads
Vintage Medicine Ads Vintage Liquor Ads
Vintage Baseball Themed Ads Vintage Soda Pop Ads
A Vintage Look at the CFL
1907
This poster is 108 years old. It’s powerful and represents a time long gone now.
1914
Billed as Peace Year, 1914 was the 16th year of the Canadian National Exhibition, and while the grounds have changed over time, you can see from this posted that it all took place down by the lake.
1917
By The Queen! A proclamation for uniting the provinces and Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into one Dominion, under the name of CANADA.
It was the 50th anniversary of Canada’s confederation and the 39th year of the CNE.
1927
The Princess Gate as shown in this poster from 1927 looks exactly as it still does today in 2015. An iconic piece of the Toronto landscape.
1931
We don’t know what the entry cost was in 1931, but this programme was only 10 cents. We’re pretty sure that 98 years later there’s nothing at the CNE that you can buy for 10 cents.
1933
I think this poster from 1933 would have scared me as a child. The man in the white shirt in the bottom left corner looks like he’s in a lot of discomfort, not a position of power.
But, the guy hanging off of the angel statue does kind of look like Gaston from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – or maybe I’m the only one who sees that.
1939
In just 6 short years the CNE posters added a whole lot of vibrant colour. Look at this happy family at the Princess Gates celebrating Transportation and Communications Year.
1947
In 1947, just like 2015, the easiest (but maybe not the fastest) way to get to the CNE is by the TTC. Catch the 29 Dufferin bus and head south til it stops.
1955
24 years later, the price of this CNE programme is 3.5 times higher than it was in 1931. But, the art is far more family friendly and looks like it belongs with classic animated pieces of the time.
1962
We wish we had a better copy of this art from 1962.
Looking back, “The Showcase Of The Nation” title may be one of those things that leads the rest of Canada to hate Toronto.
Bonus: Loblaws at the CNE
We’re not sure where the grocery store was located at the CNE grounds, but it looks like there was fresh meat from the butcher and all kinds of deals on everything from olives to bananas.
