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Offered here is a wonderful framed collection of three original early 20th-century Ohio poultry exhibition “First Premium” award ribbons dating from 1901, 1903 and 1904.
The three antique ribbons have been displayed together behind glass in a wooden frame and represent more than 120 years of Ohio agricultural, poultry and fair history.
INCLUDED IN THE DISPLAY:
• 1901 – FIRST PREMIUM – POULTRY – Ohio Exposition
• 1903 – FIRST PREMIUM – POULTRY – Ohio State Fair
• 1904 – FIRST PREMIUM – POULTRY – Ohio State Fair
The earliest ribbon, dated 1901, is printed “FIRST PREMIUM – Ohio Exposition” with “POULTRY” printed vertically along the left side and the year “1901” along the right.
The second ribbon is dated 1903 and reads “FIRST PREMIUM – Ohio State Fair,” again with “POULTRY” printed vertically at the left and “1903” at the right.
The third ribbon is dated 1904 and reads “FIRST PREMIUM – OHIO STATE FAIR,” with “POULTRY” along the left side and the 1904 date at the right.
These ribbons would have represented first-premium recognition in poultry competition during the early years of the 20th century. Today they make an unusual surviving group connected with the history of Ohio agricultural exhibitions, poultry breeding and competitive state fairs.
What makes this collection especially appealing is that the three ribbons span a very narrow period from 1901 through 1904. Rather than being a single isolated award, the display preserves three early poultry awards together, including two specifically marked Ohio State Fair.
The ribbons feature wonderful period typography and have developed the appearance expected from textiles that are now approximately 120+ years old.
CONDITION:
The ribbons are in antique, age-appropriate condition.
There is visible fading, discoloration, staining, toning, fraying, edge wear and other deterioration consistent with their considerable age. The 1901 ribbon has noticeable fraying at the left end. The 1904 ribbon has visible loss/damage near the right side. Additional small marks, stains and areas of wear can be seen throughout the collection.
Despite their age and wear, the printed lettering remains remarkably bold and legible, and all three ribbons display very well as historical pieces.
The ribbons are currently mounted/displayed together behind glass in a wooden frame. The frame itself should be considered part of the existing display rather than represented as being original to the ribbons. The frame and glass may show normal scratches, marks, dust and other signs of use and storage.
We have not attempted to remove the ribbons from the display, clean them, restore them, iron them or otherwise alter their current condition. They are being offered as shown.
Please carefully review all photographs, including the close-up photographs, as they are an important part of the description and provide the best representation of the exact condition of the ribbons and display.
APPROXIMATE AGE:
1901 ribbon – approximately 125 years old
1903 ribbon – approximately 123 years old
1904 ribbon – approximately 122 years old
The entire collection therefore dates to the opening years of the 20th century.
This is a particularly interesting display for collectors of:
• Ohio State Fair memorabilia
• Ohio history
• Early 20th-century Americana
• Agricultural history
• Poultry and chicken memorabilia
• Antique poultry exhibition material
• State fair and exposition memorabilia
• Agricultural awards
• Antique prize ribbons
• Livestock and poultry competition memorabilia
• Farm and rural history
• Early Ohio ephemera and textiles
The combination of the early dates, First Premium designation, poultry category and Ohio State Fair association makes this a distinctive historical display.
All three original ribbons and the pictured frame/display are included and are being sold together as one lot.
Please examine all photographs closely before purchasing. Due to the age and fragile nature of these antique textile ribbons, no attempt should be made to clean or straighten them without appropriate knowledge of antique textile conservation.
A very nice opportunity to acquire three surviving Ohio poultry First Premium ribbons dating from 1901, 1903 and 1904 together in one display.
