Pair of Benson & Hedges Inc. Symphony of Fire Onta

Updated September 18, 2026

An exceptional pair of original Benson & Hedges Inc. "Symphony of Fire" promotional display boards produced for Ontario Place, representing consecutive editions of one of Canada's most celebrated international fireworks competitions. Measuring 18 x 26 1/2 inches each and printed on rigid hard board, these striking display pieces commemorate the 1993 and 1994 Symphony of Fire festivals, an iconic Toronto summer tradition that drew hundreds of thousands of spectators to the city's waterfront and helped establish Ontario Place as one of North America's premier venues for world-class pyrotechnic exhibitions.<br><br>The 1993 example features a dramatic illustrated composition in which a French horn transforms into an explosion of brilliantly coloured fireworks above the Ontario Place shoreline, elegantly reinforcing the festival's "Symphony of Fire" identity. The lower margin retains the complete event schedule for June 17, 24 and 28, and July 1, 5 and 8, together with period sponsor logos including CFRB-AM 1010, The Globe and Mail, MIX 99.9 FM and BBS CFTO-TV. The companion 1994 board presents an equally memorable nighttime design incorporating vivid fireworks beneath a luminous full moon, accompanied by the slogan "It'll Put The Dark In A Whole New Light," with dates for June 18, 25 and 29, and July 2, 6 and 9, along with the Ontario Place logo and an impressive group of contemporary sponsors including The Source, CFTO-TV, The Globe and Mail, MIX 99.9 FM and CFRB-AM 1010.<br><br>Beyond their visual appeal, these displays capture an important period in Canadian cultural and advertising history, when Benson & Hedges served as title sponsor of one of Toronto's defining annual public events. Tobacco-sponsored promotional material of this quality has become increasingly sought after as surviving examples were seldom preserved following the conclusion of individual campaigns. Large-format, professionally produced hard-board displays from the Symphony of Fire series are encountered far less frequently than paper posters, offering superior durability while retaining the vivid colour, graphic impact and presentation intended for commercial display.<br><br>An outstanding acquisition for collectors of Canadian advertising, Ontario Place memorabilia, Toronto history, fireworks and pyrotechnic collectibles, tobacco advertising, event promotion, graphic design, or museum-quality Canadian ephemera. Together, these consecutive-year display boards form an exceptionally attractive presentation documenting the evolution of one of Canada's most iconic public festivals. Both measure approximately 18 x 26 1/2 inches and present as an impressive matched pair.

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